The Nor’Westers Rugby Club is raising funds for a memorial scholarship in Dutch’s name within the Ancient Nor’Westers Athletic Fund held by the Canadian Rugby Foundation (P.O. Box 8003, Victoria BC V8W 3R7). The scholarship will be for coaching and youth development for age grade rugby.
This is something that was close to Dutch’s heart (big man, big heart) in his many years as a junior and high school coach. Donations in excess of $25.00 will receive a charitable receipt from the Canadian Rugby Foundation. Donations can be made by cheque payable to the Canadian Rugby Foundation (memo “DUTCH”) and mailed to Don Paradis, 1025 Parker Drive, Sherwood Park, AB, T8A 1C5, They also can be made by going online to the Canadian Rugby Foundation website (www.canadianrugbyfoundation.ca) and click on the rugby ball and go to fund/designation drop box and select Ancient Nor’Westers Athletic Association
HOLLAND, David Daniel “Dutch” 1954 – 2013 David Daniel Holland, age 58, passed away suddenly at home. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Margarete, his brother, Ralph (Candy), his sisters, Donna (Lou) and Laura (Osh) and a multitude of friends, especially Rick (Sherry) Melia, Al(Marie) Hancock, Garry (Barb) Weisbrot, Rob (Alison) Poole and Stan Thorseth. Dave was predeceased by his father, Wilber, in 2006. Dave was born in Kelowna, B.C., on June 3, 1954 and started running early, the beginning of a lifelong passion for sports. He started school, at age 5, in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Moving back to B.C. proved a bit of a shock to young David so he was quite happy when his family moved to Santiago, Chile. Happy, that is, until he realized even the comics were in Spanish! In Fredericton, N.B., Grade 6 yielded the biggest discovery of his life: basketball. Things were never the same, even when he moved to Edmonton in 1967. He played basketball at Harry Ainlay High School, 1967-71, and the University of Alberta, 1972-76. His teammates renamed him “Dutch” and it stuck. Combining two of his favorite things, athletics and travel, “Dutch” was a committed team player for provincial and national basketball, for rugby and for team handball teams in competitions across Canada and other countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the US. He also introduced Alberta and Saskatchewan junior and high school students to team handball. For more than 25 years, he was a generous, well-respected volunteer coach, especially for the Edmonton Nor’Westers Rugby Club, and the Harry Ainlay Titans boys’ basketball and rugby teams. Dave, sensitive to the needs of the players, motivated them to be the best they could be. A gentle, easy-going giant, David Holland will be missed by his extended family and his many friends.
A youth sport endowment fund has been set up in Dutch’s name. Donations to the Canadian Rugby Foundation, memo “Dutch” c/o Don Paradis, 1025 Parker Drive, Sherwood Park, AB, T8A 1C5, would be appreciated.