Dame Di Ellis, Honorary President and former Chairman of British Rowing and Vice-President of the Thames Regional Rowing Council passed away on Thursday, 18 May after a short illness.
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Dame Di who passed away peacefully on Thursday morning (18 May) following a short illness.
Dame Di was an instrumental figure and stalwart of British rowing for over 60 years. During her life, she was an inspiration and champion to so many, both within rowing and across the wider British sporting landscape. Her enduring love of rowing, her grace and fortitude will never be matched; she will be dearly missed by all.
A private funeral for family only will be held. Details regarding the memorial service, which will be held at St Mary’s, Henley, will be shared in due course. The family asks that any messages of condolence are sent through British Rowing – 6 Lower Mall, London, W6 9DJ.
Dame Di Ellis, 1938 – 2017, 79 years old
Dame Di Ellis had a special gift; no matter who you were, how old you were, or how long you had been involved in rowing, Dame Di made everyone feel like they were part of something special. It was this gift that made her such a beloved figure within rowing for more than 60 years.
Dame Di had a rather unorthodox start in rowing, having first been introduced to the sport by ‘messing about in whalers and cutters’ as a Sea Ranger. Keen to follow in her sister’s footsteps, who was rowing with Harrods at the time, she joined St George’s Ladies RC rowing out of the Civil Service boathouse in 1960. From this point onwards, Dame Di flourished in rowing and started on a path that was to change the course of British rowing.
Competitively, Dame Di rowed for Great Britain, coxed for England, won national championships gold and won the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race seven times both as a rower and a cox. She was a club member of St George’s RC, a qualified umpire, secretary of events and Chairman of a number of committees and commissions. Dame Di was Chairman of British Rowing (formerly the Amateur Rowing Association) for 24 years and was a FISA (World Rowing) delegate, representing Great Britain’s position on the international stage.
She was the first woman Steward of Henley Royal Regatta and a founder member of Henley Women’s Regatta. During her time within sports administration, she won numerous awards from the International Olympic Committee and FISA, amongst others, and was recognised for her services to rowing by the Queen, being made a Dame of the Order of the British Empire in 2013.
Dame Di touched every part of the sport from grass roots participation to elite rowing. Throughout her time in the sport she opened, named and unveiled just about everything rowing related, in every region from North to South and East to West. She was ever-present on the towpath and was a constant presence at national and international events, always listening, cheering and, on occasion, consoling rowers, with dignity, pride and a great sense of perspective and humour. Dame Di was a huge advocate of volunteers and would always make time to personally thank all those who had given up so much time for the sport they loved.
One of Dame Di’s greatest legacies within rowing was her tireless work to grow and develop women’s rowing. When she first took up rowing, St George’s Ladies RC became one of the first clubs to be affiliated to the Women’s Amateur Rowing Association. From this moment onwards, Dame Di’s passion, enthusiasm and commitment in support of women’s rowing never wavered. So many women who have taken up rowing, or have been involved in the sport in some way, were inspired and championed by Dame Di. It would not be an understatement to say that without Dame Di’s involvement, women’s rowing in the UK, and arguably globally, would not be where it is today.
Outside of rowing, Dame Di was hugely respected within British sports administration, serving on a multitude of boards including the British Olympic Association (BOA), Sport & Recreation Alliance, British Confederation of Sport, Skills Active, Sporting Equals and Sports Resolutions. Dame Di paved the way for so many others as a leading light in the field of sports diplomacy. In all her years of service to rowing she continued to set new standards.
Dame Di was an outstanding character, much loved by so many. She will be sorely missed by everyone. She leaves behind her husband John, daughter Claire and two grandsons.
On Dame Di Ellis
Sir Hugh Robertson, Chairman of the BOA, said: “This is a sad day for the entire Olympic Movement in this country. Anyone who worked with Di would know that she was not only passionate about sport and its role in society, but driven to see greater opportunities carved out for all, especially for women in sport.
"Her family can be proud of her wonderful contribution to sport in this country and can reflect on the fact that Di enriched the lives of so many around her. She will be dearly missed, not least by her friends and colleagues on the National Olympic Committee."
Annamarie Phelps CBE, said: “Di was an incredible lady: genuine, wise, reflective and truly inspirational. Hers was truly a life to celebrate. She was a mentor and confidante to so many, always quietly shaping opinion and thinking ahead. Di will be missed across the breadth of British sport but particularly across British Rowing to which she was entirely devoted.”
Rowing achievements
1960 – Started rowing at St George’s Ladies Rowing Club
1966/67/68/69/71/72/73 Winner of the Women’s Eights Head of the River, seven times (three as a rower, four as a cox)
1966 – Stroked Great Britain’s Women’s Eight at the European Championships
1972 – Coxed the England women’s four to gold in the Home Countries match
1972 – Won gold at the first national championships at Holme Pierrepont
1978 – Qualified as an umpire
1988 – GB Team Manager
1989-2013 – Chairman of Amateur Rowing Association (name change to British Rowing in 2009)
1997 – Elected as the first woman Steward of Henley Royal Regatta
2010 – President of the Organising Committee for the 2013 World Rowing Cup
2014 – Honorary President of British Rowing
Sports administration
British Olympic Association – Life Vice President
Sport & Recreation Alliance – Vice President
British Olympic Foundation – Trustee
Torch Trophy Trust – Trustee
Sporting Equals – Trustee
British Olympic Medical Trust – Trustee
British Confederation of Sport – Board Member
Skills Active – Board Member
Sports Resolutions – Board Member
Awards
Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, Administrator of the Year
Sports Journalists’ JL Manning Award
International Olympic Committee, Services to Women’s Sport
FISA, World Rowing’s Award for Distinguished Services to International Rowing
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Services to rowing
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
Freeman of the City of London
