It is with great regret that we have to report the death of former Sussex Schools Chair and team manager, and coach Tony Elder at the age of 86.
London born Tony Elder, moved to Sussex in 1986 as Head of Thomas Bennett Comprehensive School in Crawley after teaching in Essex and Bedford and as an experienced coach became involved with the Sussex Schools Athletics.
His duties as headteacher prevented him fulfilling his coaching role until he retired from teaching in 1994 age 60.
He became a Manager of Sussex Schools teams between 1995 and 2005 and was Chair of the Sussex Schools Association from 1996 to 1999.
His main claim to fame in Sussex however was that he organised the highly successful English Schools Cross-country Championships in Stanmer Park, Brighton in 2003 - the first time that both the boys and girls' championships were held in Sussex.
In 1974 Dick Morley, who was Head of Longhill School, Brighton, had organised the English Schools Boys Cross Country championships, also in Stanmer Park, when the boys and girls events were held separately.
Our condolences go to his family and friends.