Former Lilleshall Sports Centre director and Newport stalwart Derek Tremayne dies age 88
Derek Tremayne, the former director of Lilleshall National Sports Centre and vice-president of Newport's Cottage Care Centre, has died aged 88.
Mr Tremayne, former general secretary and vice-president of the English Table Tennis Association, was described by those who knew him as a man of great charm and warmth.
He joined the association on December 1, 1966 and spent eight years in his post of general secretary.
As well as his day-to-day duties Mr Tremayne negotiated major sponsorship agreements including with Norwich Union Insurance and Coca Cola, as well as television agreements with both the BBC and ITV.
He later took over as director of Lilleshall National Sports Centre where he is credited with helping gymnastics become a bigger sport at the centre during the 1970s.
When Princess Anne opened a new gymnastics hall in 1988 – said then to be the best in the world – Mr Tremayne was among those making sure it was a world class facility.
"The best coaches in the country are available to work with gymnasts, who are tending to spend more time and training at Lilleshall," he said at the time.
"We have to bear in mind that while we're developing, so the rest of the world is developing, and the aim is to develop slightly faster because they now have the facilities which have always been desired, but have not previously been available. We are aiming for gold."
Mr Tremayne also played a key role in setting up Newport's Cottage Care Centre.
He was a member of the Newport Cottage Hospital Action Group and became chairman of the centre for 19 years before standing down in October 2011.
Doreen Stannard, honorary past president of Table Tennis England, said: “Derek opened up a world for table tennis that hadn’t been envisaged before. His drive and ability to obtain sponsorship certainly changed English table tennis. He was a loyal friend and his friendship was for life.”
Table Tennis England President Jill Parker MBE, said: “Derek Tremayne was one of the great ambassadors of English table tennis and the first full time General Secretary of the ETTA from 1966 to 1974.
“Table tennis was very fortunate to have Derek’s support over such a long period when great success was enjoyed by the England team. A true gentleman, who will be sorely missed.”
Mr Tremayne, who died on September 15, leaves a wife Maureen and children Ian, Karen, Guy and Diana.
A service to celebrate his life will take place at St Nicholas Church, Newport on October 5 at 2pm.
