Di Ellis, Chairman of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA), has been awarded a CBE in the Queens Birthday Honours List. The citation is for Services to Rowing.
Before taking on the role of Chairman of the ARA in 1989, Di had been a successful athlete at international level, Team Manager, Chairman of a number of national committees, and a qualified umpire, serving in all these roles, including ARA Chairman, as a volunteer.
Di has led the ARA through a period of great change and growth, with the achievement of Olympic and World Rowing medals, the implementation of development programmes such as Project Oarsome, and the expansion of the staff from 15 people to over 60 at present. She has recently led the successful ARA bid to host the 2005 World Cup for Rowing and the 2006 World Rowing Championships at Dorney Lake, Eton, and has been a Great Britain representative to the international rowing body, FISA, since 1986.
The staff at the ARA were delighted to hear of the Award. Rosemary Napp, ARA National Manager said, everyone in rowing, volunteers, staff, athletes, club members, are thrilled and delighted by this public recognition of Dis outstanding contribution to the sport. She exemplifies all that is good in British sport, and has been an inspiration to all who have worked with her.
In the wider sporting context Di Ellis has also made a significant contribution, as a Director of the CCPR, the British Olympic Association, the Confederation of British Sport, and the Sports Dispute Resolution Panel.