Dave started his judo in 1956 whilst he was stationed in Malta with the Royal Marines. Getting back to Exmouth in 1959 he joined the Exmouth town & district judo club who were at the time an AJA club and got his 1st Dan with them in 1971, the club converted to the BJA taking the Exmouth judo club and the 
membership during 1971/72.
He was awarded his BJA coach in 1971 along with passing as a BJA (now Nat C) referee at the end of 1971. He soon moved up the refereeing ladder. April 1972 saw him get his provisional award (now Nat B), & in December 1972 his Nat A then 1973 he became a refereeing examiner, these exams were held at Crystal Palace the heart of most BJA national events at the time. After leaving the marines in 1972 he returned as an MOD attached civilian in the transport section until 1989 and during this time helped with the coaching of the RN/RM Inter services team in 1977. His got his 2nd Dan at CTCRM in 1981, 3rd Dan in 2000, 4th 2009, 5th 2015 at Bath University.
Dave was on the National Refereeing Commission 1993-2000 and a Refereeing assessor 2005 -2010. BJA level 3 coach and senior examiner since 2000.
Senior coach Exmouth Vikings since 1985.
Official at the world championships Birmingham 1999
BJA Life membership award in 2013.
President’s Award for ‘Services to Judo at the 2008-2009 BJA Awards evening.
Western Area chairman 1987-2019. Chairman of area referees 1972-1992 England judo chairman’s commission 1987-2019
England judo chairman’s secretary 1996-2017. Member of BJA council 1998-1998
Western Area President from 2019- to date
Not before time his 6th Dan awarded by the board of directors, 2025.
And finally as of 30th December 2025 in the Kings Honours list, he has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to Judo.
Thank you Dave, on behalf of all the West Judoka past and present for your service and dedication.
