Honorary President (elect):

Stuart Burnside

Stu has been with Wapping since 2004, named the Printers & Pirates as mixed captain, held multiple roles as captain, coach, and on the committee, including four noteworthy seasons as chair from 2013 which he describes as “creating the conditions for others to succeed”. Successes during his tenure included:

• Ladies: 10 promotions and 3 new teams

• Men: 23 promotions, including promotion to the National League, and 3 new teams

• The season Wapping broke into the National League comprised 10 promotions, including 9 league titles – the most successful in our history

• In this period, Wapping also had its first club member represent England, at Masters level.

But, Stu is always keen to remind us that hockey is a sport for all. This has included:

• Materially improving the club’s diversity and inclusion policies, by appointing key individuals to visible leadership roles and using a combination of outreach and support to remove barriers to participation

• Ensuring the club is open irrespective of ability, including providing free training for adult beginners

• Kidds: our pirate themed youth section started in 2016 and since then has taught 100s of children how to play hockey – with the focus on inclusivity meaning a state school membership of 98% and a willingness to work with children with disabilities

• Facilities: steering through the resurfacing of our original home at the John Orwell, insisting that as part of the project that the Council install step free access so anyone can play our game, and installing covered spectator seating with room for wheelchairs. Organised and led negotiations for a consortium of local community clubs including Wapping to ground share the national stadium, Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, with England, designing the arrangement to maximise the impact of this Olympic Legacy facility on local health and wellbeing

• Free equipment & kit: securing sponsorship deals so we are able to offer free sticks, team shirts and other equipment, removing some of the financial barriers to participation

• Bursaries: establishing a bursary programme so that those that have less can be supported by those that have more

• Beer: he even established a charitable beer brand meaning those that want to can help fund the club by their purchasing choices in local pubs

He is an Honorary Vice President of the East Region Hockey Association, having previously served as their Development Director. Finally, he served eight years on the board of the London Youth Games, finishing as Chair.

He’s served as our elected Honorary President since 2017, meaning he is a senior non-executive advising the exec & committee, and serving as a long standing trusted partner for key stakeholders.

He’s keen “not to get in the way” which he insists is not a description of his goalkeeping, but is always there when we need some advice.