Clubs pay their respects ahead of matches
Hull Daily Mail archive picture from January 11, 1986, showing Bob Smith making a presentation to David Ollett who was leaving the area, and Hull and East Riding RUFC, to take up a teaching position in Papua New Guinea(Image: Hull Daily Mail / Hull Live)
Tribute has been paid following the sad death of David Ollett, the former Hull and East Riding RUFC First XV captain and club chairman. Mr Ollett, of Hutton Cranswick, passed away recently at the age of 83.
His brother, Richard Ollett, said: “My brother, David Ollett, 83, sadly passed away on Monday, February 9, after a battle with dementia and kidney disease. David devoted much of his life to school teaching, local rugby union and to his devoted family.
“He was educated at Kingston High School in Hull and went on to graduate with an MA at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, before going on to teach abroad in both Ghana and Papua New Guinea for four-year spells respectively.
“In between those contracts, he taught both Geography and Economics at Riley High School in west Hull for nearly two decades. During his time at Riley, he was a key figurehead for Hull Schools Rugby Union representative sides and arranged many an Easter school holiday trip for the local up-and-coming rugby stars of the region.”
Mr Ollett was appointed Hull and East Riding First XV captain in seasons 1971-72 and 1972-73, which spanned Riding’s last season at their Goddard Avenue home and the first season at their new base at the Anlaby Road Circle.
“David was also elected chairman of Hull and East Riding RUFC while at their Anlaby Road base before the eventual formation of two separate clubs, Hull Ionians RUFC and Hull RUFC,” said his brother. Both of the clubs were paying their respects to Mr Ollett before their National League Division Two North home fixtures today (Saturday, February 14) against Sheffield RUFC and Wharfedale RUFC, respectively.
Mr Ollett is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kate; sons William and Edward; daughters Catharine and Alexandra and eight grandchildren.
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