Obituary: Barry Hitchcock – The Man Behind Surrey Sports Park

Published on: 6 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 8 Feb, 2019

Barry Hitchcock MBE

A giant of 40 years of Surrey sport, Barry Hitchcock MBE, the visionary behind the Surrey Sports Park, has died suddenly on the 1st of this month, aged 69. Tributes have poured in from across the county.

Gavin Baker, director of sport at the park, said: “We are incredibly sad to have lost Barry, who played such an enormous role in sport at the University of Surrey and beyond. The Park was his vision, and its contribution to sport in Surrey will be his lasting legacy.

“We have lost a member of the Surrey sporting family, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues who will miss him so deeply and remember him so fondly.”

The university published a touching obituary, saying that sadly they had lost a significant figure in their sporting history. Barry worked at the university from 1980 through to 2010, first as the assistant director of sport and then as director for nearly 20 years. He championed the Park since the mid-1990s until it opened in 2010.

He was a significant figure in both local sport and in the higher education sporting landscape, taking on many volunteer roles throughout his career. Since his retirement in 2010, he continued his great work as a trustee within the Surrey Playing Fields Association and the England Squash Foundation. He was also an external trustee of the Students’ Union at Surrey from 2011 till 2016.

With former assistant director Sally Edie MBE, Barry set up a pan-disability sports club for young people and their families that still runs today more than 20 years since its inception. He was a regular volunteer at the Saturday afternoon sessions until very recently.

His extensive work was recognised in 2010 when he was appointed MBE for services to sport and higher education.

Iain Main, head of grounds at the Sports Park, said: “I worked for over 25 years for Barry providing sports surfaces for the University of Surrey.

“In that time he taught me humility, respect and the importance of your own passion for sport for students and the wider sporting community. He was a man of huge integrity and was a great support to those around him. What a legend of a team player!”

Aldershot Town Football Club said Barry had helped lead and support the set-up of their club`s new community scheme and worked as secretary, forming a close friendship with club chairman, Shahid Azeem, for 40 years. As well as being a renowned national basketball coach, Barry also brought the national squash league to Surrey, attracting the country`s top players, including Shahid, whom he coached to many titles.

Barry was a trustee of the Shots Foundation, and a “perfect gentleman”, remembered by his friends and trustees for his kindness, high ethical and moral principles, standards and being an utter professional. He also leaves behind Elspeth, his wife, son David, daughters Louise, Emily and Becky, his grandchildren, whom he adored, and a wide circle of friends.

Shots Foundation chairman John Casey said: “Barry made a significant contribution to the development of world-class facilities in the Surrey area and, as such, his family can be justly proud of this legacy he has left for the people in the area who will benefit for years. The Shots Foundation has also benefitted from his commitment, experience and wisdom and he will be greatly missed by everyone.”

Aldershot FC said there will be one-minute’s applause in tribute to Barry before the start of this Saturday`s fixture with Eastleigh.

Funeral details are not yet known. Please contact Gavin Baker at Surrey Sports Park for details of the arrangements.