Jack Maddison
11 December 1930 - 9 December 2017
Jack spent his three years at Loughborough at Charnwood Hall, where he was Chairman in his second year. Also in residence at this time were Phil Taylor and Dave Hazel, both of whom later played Rugby for England and Ken Jones, a Welsh trialist. All four played in the first Loughborough side to win the University Rugby Championship in 1953.
Jack’s first appointment was Head of Physical Education at Windsor Grammar School for Boys, where he also taught Geography and Maths. He also captained Windsor Rugby Club and played for Berkshire in the County Championship.
A sabbatical year was taken at the University of London Institute Of Education, studying for a Diploma in Content and Methods of Health Education. He then moved into higher education as a lecturer at Northern Counties College of Education Newcastle. He was here for thirteen years, six of those as Principal Lecturer and Warden of Ridley Hall, a stately home in rural Northumberland taken over by the College to increase its numbers.
A further sabbatical year was taken at Moray House College of Education, studying for a Diploma in Outdoor Education. He also qualified as a Royal Yachting Association Instructor and a Scottish Ski Party Leader.
His next appointment was Director of Lakeland Training Group, which used the vehicle of residential action and adventure oriented programmes of outdoor pursuits for educational purposes. Courses for the Youth Opportunities Programme resulted in him being a member of the Youth Aid Council, on which Peter Mandleson and Clare Short also served.
He then moved into marketing; first in the financial services sector and then he was able to find a post which enabled him to combine his interest in sport and marketing experience. His title was National Marketing Manager of the Sports Aid Foundation and Trust and he had an office at the Sports Council.
The SAF raised money to provide training grants for those who were likely to win medals at European, World and Olympic Championships, whilst the Trust aided young and disabled sportspeople to develop their talent. He worked with David Coleman and Blue Peter over a number of years on the National Children’s Fun Run, raising over a million pounds. Lord Coe, a Trustee of SAT, was particularly helpful with fundraising.
When in Newcastle, he coached the Northern and the Newcastle University Rugby clubs and when living in Windermere, he coached Kendal Rugby club. When he returned south to live in Ascot, he coached Harlequins.
After graduating from Loughborough in Physical Education with Geography in 1954, he completed an Open University BA degree in 1974. Loughborough awarded him an Honorary BSc Degree in 2009.