HRH Prince Edward to be next President of the CCPR

His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex has agreed to become President of CCPR when The Duke of Edinburgh steps down after 58 years.

The Earl of Wessex will take over after the CCPR’s Annual General Meeting in July 2009. Becoming President will add to His Royal Highness’s involvement in sport and recreation in the UK and will complement his patronage of a number of CCPR’s member organisations.

Brigid Simmonds OBE, CCPR Chair, believes that The Earl of Wessex is a natural successor to The Duke of Edinburgh.

“The Earl of Wessex has shown himself to be a real supporter of sport and young people.  He has interests in the work of many of CCPR’s members already, being Royal Patron of the British Paralympic Association, Snowsport GB and the Tennis and Rackets Association, as well as being Patron of BadmintonScotland and Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation.  He is a sports enthusiast through and through.

“There is a real synergy between His Royal Highness’s personal commitment and the work of CCPR and we are really pleased that he has agreed to become our new President. He has expressed a wish to engage with the work of our members, particularly at the grassroots, and in his new role he can do just that.

“We wanted someone who understands sport, enjoys sport and is committed to the work of our members.  The Earl of Wessex will, I am sure, be able to help us move forward and represent CCPR’s cause in the run-up to London 2012.”

The ARA is delighted with the news, particularly given HRH Prince Edward’s commitment to supporting and encouraging grassroots sport, which will be such an important legacy of London 2012.

Rosemary Napp said, on behalf of the CCPR Water Recreation Division, ‘I know all members of the Division will greatly welcome this news. His Royal Highness’s support will ensure that the work of our members to generate more participation in all the water recreation sports continues to receive the high profile and recognition that is so crucial to our continuing success.’