17 February 2014

British Athletics is sad to confirm that the respected coach Dave Sunderland passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He had recently suffered complications following surgery in January.

Dave had a long and successful career in endurance coaching, guiding Jane Finch to a World Indoor 800m record in winning the 1977 European Indoors and also to World Indoor silver and Commonwealth bronze. Other athletes he coached included Spencer Duval and Paul Davies Hale.

In recent years he had enjoyed golden success as coach to Lynsey Sharp in 2012 when she was silver medallist at the European Championships in Helsinki – the silver later upgraded to gold and presented to Sharp at the recent Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match.

He had also played a pivotal role in the coach development framework, passing on his wisdom to up and coming coaches in his role as a National Coach Mentor and a long time supporter of the British Milers Club.

Peter Stanley, Head of Coaching and Development commented that Dave was a “Dear friend and respected colleague, who will be sorely missed by those who knew him.”