David Faulkner joins SportsAid as trustee

SportsAid is pleased to announce today that former Olympic champion hockey player David Faulkner has joined the charity’s board of trustees.

Until 2012 David was performance director of England and Great Britain Hockey and now works at Millfield School as the director of sport.

He said, “I’m delighted to be joining SportsAid’s board because I’m passionate about developing young people in sport. I think SportsAid can provide opportunities where others can't and I’d like to influence how that opportunity is provided and where it is provided.”

He added, “I’m particularly interested in making sure that if there’s any talent out there that needs support, the charity can reach them and help them realise that ambition and, more importantly, be the best that they possibly can.”

Chairman of SportsAid Chris Baillieu welcomed the news, saying, "The trustees are delighted David is joining the board and recognise that his breadth of experience as an Olympic athlete and coach plus his knowledge of the education sector will be contribute significantly to the work of SportsAid."

In his sports career David played international hockey from 1982 to 1991, winning an Olympic gold medal with Team GB at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul as well as silver medals at the world and European championships. In 1989 he was voted the National Hockey Writers’ Player of the Year and the National League Player of the Year.

In addition to being a SportsAid trustee, David is a member of the TASS management group, British Swimming’s performance management group, and helps to advise a number of Olympic sports on talent and coaching development, governance and performance management. He also commentates for World Hockey TV and BBC 5 Live.