On Thursday 16^th March, Ron Coppenrath received this Royal honour on behalf of the King by Mayor A.J. Moerkerke of Ron’s municipality Papendrecht.

The royal honour was awarded to Ron for years of dedication and work in wheelchair basketball both nationally and internationally.

Internationally Coppenrath has been an active Secretary General of IWBF Europe where he was part of the organisation of a number of European Championships and European Cup tournaments. He was also influential figure on the world stage as a member of the IWBF Executive Committee. Ron took on the role as Chairman of the Competitions Committee for 12 years between 2002 -2014, leading on the administration of World Championships and the Paralympic Games wheelchair basketball competition.

On a national level he was instrumental at his own club as well as a representative of wheelchair basketball at the NBB General Assembly.

This recognition is in addition to receiving the union pin of the Dutch Basketball League by NBB chairman Francisca Ravestein as well as being recognised with the IWBF Gold Medal Triad for his tireless work to the sport.

IWBF were represented at the reception by Norbert Kucera, IWBF Assistant to the President, he officially congratulated Ron on behalf the President of IWBF, Ulf Mehrens, and also of the Secretary General of IWBF, Maureen Orchard.

IWBF Assistant to the President, Norbert Kucera, said “Ron did a great job as the Secretary General for IWBF Europe. One of his greatest assets was the fantastic ability to administer a large amount of competitions and the demands of Europe’s member nations, the clubs and the international technical officials. He always did this in a very quiet and effective way with clear direction all for the benefit of wheelchair basketball. His impact in the improvement and development of wheelchair basketball across Europe and the world is unmeasurable.”

IWBF congratulate Ron on his well-deserved award.