Divisional Areas
Eastern Counties: Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdon
East Midlands: Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire
West Midlands: Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, West Midlands
North Midlands: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, South Humberside.
North East: Yorkshire, North Humberside, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear
North West: Lancashire, Cumberland, Cumbria, Westmoreland, Isle of Man
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Southeast: Greater London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex
South West: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset
Southern Counties: Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight, Channel Islands
Wales
Eastern Counties Division
Joshua Batterham
Josh joined the BDFPA in 2015 as a competition and since that date assisted with the administration of events including, spotting & loading, organising and refereeing competitions. Joshua is a National since 2018 and became an International referee in 2023. Holding a handful of National, European and World titles since 2015. Joshua has taken over as the eastern counties divisional rep since Oct 2024. please contact the get in touch link for more information.
Scotland Division
Chris Martin
Chris Martin first picked up a dumbbell in 1991. Having previously tried his hand at weightlifting, he turned to powerlifting in his early twenties, first stepping on the platform in 2004. Since 2008 he has been involved with the BDFPA, and a regular of the Scottish Division since 2010. He has competed both unequipped and equipped, full power and single lifts. He has won several major championships, including National and International events. In addition, he also practices a variety of old strongman skills including steel coiling, Nail bending and cannonball juggling. He shares his thoughts on lifting and training as well as historical training information on his website www.theironden.net
East Midlands Division
Hey I’m Habee.
I am the East Midlands Divisional Representative.
I joined the BDFPA in 2014 and have been competing since. I am hugely passionate about the sport of Powerlifting. I have competed Divisionally, Nationally and Internationally. I am also a National Referee.
I hold a few National and International titles under my belt, maybe a few records too. In 2018 I decided It was time to start giving back to the sport and became a Divisional Representative and have run events and conducted drug testing.
Southern Counties Division
Jan Turba
I have started competing in powerlifting in 2006 at age of 19 under the British Weight Lifters’ Association (BWLA) which later became the British Powerlifting (BP). Whilst I loved the sport from the very beginning, I was a young immigrant and life was not easy so over the course of next 6 years I probably only competed about 10 times with the pinnacle of my early powerlifting carrier being the British Seniors Championship in Coventry in 2011.
Between 2012 and 2019 I had a complete break from lifting focusing on studies, career and family life. It was spring 2019 when I started slowly buying equipment as I wanted to get fit again. I believe that it was Louie Simmons who said that once you get bit by the iron bug you can never stop lifting. This statement definitely applies to me and several months just messing about with my newly bought weights I was hooked on powerlifting again. At this time, I was in my mid 30’s. It was my beloved wife who influenced me once again to start competing in powerlifting and whilst there are many “feds” out there, I am a strong believer of “my body my temple” ideology so when I saw the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) I knew this was the federation to join.
In 2024 I became a member. I am far from the ideal body type for powerlifting, but I want to prove to both myself and others that anybody, with the right diet, training and mindset, can achieve extra ordinary things and lift great weights whilst have great time and fun doing it. If you are as passionate as myself about powerlifting, meeting awesome people, wanting to belong to a community of like-minded people, look no further, because BDFPA is the place for you and I am thrilled to guide you on your journey.
North West Division
Ruth Gardner
Ruth joined the BDFPA in 2016. In 2017 she became a divisional level referee upgrading to national referee in October 2019 and became the North West Divisional Rep in March 2020.
Since joining, Ruth has lifted at both National and International competitions as well as supporting events as an official. The North West Division is fortunate to be supported by Hive Athletics – CFCL as a venue for its competitions in Lancaster.
West Midlands Division
Pat Reeves
Pat joined the BDFPA in 2005 after a discussion with the sadly departed Andy Davies at an event she held at a BAWLA Divisional event in Birmingham.
Pat has worked professionally and tirelessly for many years with various presidents such as Andrew Cominos, Neil Thomas and Manon Bradley to name a few.
As an athlete Pat was successful at all BDFPA/WDFPF events since joining and although diagnosed in the 1980s with terminal cancer, multiple kidney stent applications and right eyesight loss she has continued to battle on, setting numerous Masters World records along the way, she is a true survivor.
Coached by the great Gren Elmore for over twenty-five years ahead of his sad passing in 2014 Pat feels she would not have achieved or maintained these accolades without this association or the friends she has made along the way.
Pat has organised many National events along the way. She has held many responsibilities within the BDFPA such as the RAW Power Editor, West Midlands Divisional Rep, Technical Secretary, Drug Control Officer and International Referee. Pat is the long standing General Secretary and holds responsibility as an Executive Council Member.
Divisional Positions Vacant
- Northern Ireland Division
- Wales Division
- North East Division
- South West Division
- South East Division
Interested in becoming a divisional Rep?
Anyone wishing to apply for a divisional rep position is to contact the president in the first instance.
See outlined below the TORs for a divisional rep. If you feel you are in a position to support the BDFPA in undertaking any of the vacant div rep positions then get in touch.
Please note all positions in the BDFPA are volunteer ones and as such it is appreciated that some individuals may have the ability to fulfil the requirements detailed below, however if a potential applicant identifies one or two aspects where they may need additional guidance or support this sound not preclude them from applying as every effort will be made to provide additional support as required. For instance a common misconception is that to be a div rep you must have all of the equipment and a gym and although this would be hugely beneficial it is not the case. Using this as the example a div rep simply needs to facilitate a competition in their area which could be administered and run by other individuals providing the necessary expertise or indeed equipment.
Divisional representative of the BDFPA are expected to be responsible for:
- Promoting BDFPA in your divisional area by means of social media, local press and local gyms.
- Run divisional events to allow lifters in your area to qualify for the National Championships. This includes sourcing venues, trophies and running of the event.
- Assist with local events by means of fundraising and charity events where necessary to recruit new members.
- Assist with refereeing and doping testing as required.
- Holding Divisional referee exams days where applicable and in conjunction with the Technical Secretary.
- Ensuring Divisional referees have the opportunity to be mentored by National/International referees for the purpose of them progressing to National level themselves.
- Responding to requests from Divisional Representatives, NC members and club managers for information prior to events taking place in your area.
- Reply to all Ballots as in a timely manner as required.
- Reporting any compliments, complaints and lessons learnt to the president as required.