It is with great sadness, we have to advise members and friends that Brian Boardley has passed away.
Many of you will know Brian has not been coaching or officiating with the club since the summer, having had an operation for cancer and undergoing radiotherapy. For the past few weeks Brian has been in hospital, and he passed away today in Beccles.
Brian was born on 16/10/42, and in November 1970, with three like-minded running friends, formed Lowestoft AC. Brian had been a notable athlete in London with a best time of 53:12 for 10 miles but retired from competition through knee injury seven years after moving to Lowestoft in 1969.
A qualified coach and race timekeeper, Brian was very much involved in the merger between Lowestoft AC and Beccles AC in the spring of 1996 with the new club being called Waveney Valley Athletic Club. He had served as Club Chairman for Lowestoft AC and has since for Waveney Valley AC.
In recent years, in addition to officiating at numerous track and field events, and timekeeping at the clubs and other local races, Brian has coached the Junior athletes, with his passion especially coaching the middle distance athletes. Brian recently received the Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and was also made Life President at the AGM. Brian was also recognised by Suffolk Sport in 2016 for his dedication to sport with the Unsung Hero award. Brian inspired so many young athletes, he will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace Brian xx