Known by many as Wally, he received the OBE for services to weightlifting, and rarely has that honour been more deserved.
He was British Olympic Team manager for 24 years from 1968, as well as honorary secretary of the British Amateur Weightlifters’ Association from 1965 to 1999.
His natural skill for administration and diplomacy led to him also being appointed assistant secretary of the International Weightlifting Federation for 14 years, as well as being president of the European Federation 1987 to 1999.
During his tenure of President of the EWF the European Schools Championships were introduced, the European Promotion Cup, and the collaboration with David Goldstrom, which has seen the broadcasting of the European Weightlifting Championships on Eurosport television.
Holland joined the Central Council of the British Amateur Weight Lifters’ Association in the 1952 and became the BAWLA General Secretary in the early 1960s and retired in 1999 due to ill health.
He soon moved up to be BAWLA secretary and National Olympic Committee representative, but by this time had also begun work with the IWF and EWF which led to him travelling the world in the name of the sport.
His workload was only lessened by the growing onset of blindness, but he continued to be take an active interest in the sport right up to his death on June 28 2011.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, 12th July 2011 at the Oxford Crematorium, Bayswater Road, OX3 9RZ at 1.30pm.
