A KEEN athlete who has dedicated his life to developing grassroots sports has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Richard Saunders, 60, received the accolade for his services across the North West from his early days training as a PE teacher through to becoming chief executive of GreaterSport.
Modest Richard said: “I feel very honoured to receive the award and incredibly grateful to all the people who have helped me on the way.”
Richard spent most of his twenties working as a trampoline coach then a freelance sports instructor teaching sailing, canoeing, climbing and racket sports.
This was mixed with travelling around the world, including a two-and-a-half year cycling trip and working as a hospital porter in Sydney for 12 months.
After spells in London and Plymouth, he settled back down in Saddleworth in 1987 and makes the most of the countryside by continuing to canoe, camp, cycle and walk.
In 1999 he helped establish Greatersport, a charity which aims to inspire a healthy future in Greater Manchester through sport and physical activity.
He retired as CEO in July last year but is still involved in grassroots sport and is currently chair of the County Sports Partnership National Network.
Richard, who lives in Saddleworth with wife Julia, added: “I still believe in the advantages of making sport accessible and enjoyable for people at all levels.
“I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to establish Greatersport. It was a fantastic experience to work with a lot of brilliant people and leave the charity as the biggest and one of the most successful of the 46 County Sports Partnerships that cover all of England.”
Richard has also been involved with numerous local clubs along with his two sons, Mike and Tim, including Greenfield Cricket Club, Dovestone Sailing Cub and Tame Valley Squash and Tennis Club.
He joined Saddleworth Runners in 1987 with wife Julia and still completes for the club.
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