Board Director, President & Drug Control Officer
Mrs Ann Thomas MBE
Ann joined the BDFPA in 2006 as an athlete, progressing down the route of officiating and drugs testing where she quickly became qualified as a referee and doping facilitator. Ann helped shape the RAF Powerlifting future as a military sport in line with the BDFPA as the NGB for this sport, where this was extended across the 3 single services, Navy, Army & Royal Air Force to encompass the Combined Services Powerlifting Associations.
She became the British Drug Control Officer where she facilitated the delivery of drug testing program within the British organisation. Subsequently becoming the World Drug Control Officer where she oversees the management of worldwide Doping control program in all WDFPF nations serving in this role for many years.
In 2016 Ann became the Treasurer of the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation and in 2017 was elected as BDFPA President where she currently holds this position. Since joining she has continually lifted within the BDFPA and attended many International events over the last 20 years both as an athlete and an official. During her Presidency tenure she has help shape the organisation in becoming a public limited company with the assistance of the executive council.
Board Director & General Secretary
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 .
She 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, 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 acholades 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 Testing officer and International referee. Pat is the long standing General Secretary and holds responsibility as an Executive Council Member.
Technical Secretary
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
Board Director & Treasurer
Neil Thomas MBE
Neil joined the BDFPA in 2004, having established the Army and later Combined Services Powerlifting Associations. Shortly after joining he became the Championship Secretary, serving in the role for 2 years before becoming President of the BDFPA until 2017. In 2016 he became the Vice President of the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation and in 2018 became the newly established BDFPA Events Co-ordinator. Since joining he has continually lifted within the BDFPA and attended many International events over the last 16 years both as an athlete and an official. During his time as President he reviewed the delivery of National events that allowed for increased drugs testing making the BDFPA the predominant drugs testing organisation.
Board Director & Membership Registrar
Catherine Walter, PhD, HENTF
Catherine began powerlifting in 2012 at the age of 65, and joined the BDFPA in 2013. She has competed Nationally and Internationally since then. In 2016, she became BDFPA Membership Registrar. Catherine is the Captain of the Linacre Ladies that Lift, a powerlifting club at the University of Oxford for women, cis and trans, and for people with a complex gender identity that includes ‘woman’. She promotes the benefits of powerlifting to the wider public, and especially to women and older people. As an athlete Catherine holds many Masters National and International World records, a true inspiration to all those around her.
National Events Co-ordinator
Lee Hyne
Lee started lifting weights in his garage at the age of 14 and have never really stopped. Not knowing anything about powerlifting as only ever done bench. Lee has worked in the fitness industry since 2001 and the opportunity for a space for a bench press event came up Lee and some Gym buddies thought they would start a powerlifting club and with the help of the BDFPA he learned how to lift to a competitive standard. Since this point Lee has become a national referee, competed in over 40 competitions and hosted many events divisional, quickly moving on to support National and International events in Brandon. Lee is an advocate for grass root lifters through the development to International standard. As a well established athlete Lee will continue to compete until there’s nobody to compete against.
British Records Registrar
Karen Dalziel
Karen joined the BDFPA in 2013 for her first competition with the now Police Scotland Powerlifting team. She has held the British and World title at 58.5kg, European and World title at Open 63kg and currently at M1 63kg. Karen has been selected for the Scottish 4 Nations team and was part of the team that won the trophy in 2015. Karen became a Divisional Referee in 2016 and was promoted to National level at the end of 2017. She became the Scottish and British Record Registrar in 2019. Karen also holds the L1 Powerlifting Coach certificate and is the head powerlifting coach of Glasgow Eagles (a disability sports group) and runs BDFPA affiliated club Achieve Strength in Kirkintilloch.
BDFPA Photographer
Dave McWilliams
Hello, I’m Dave, a retired powerlifter and BDFPA photographer. I Only have few photographs of myself when I used to lift so it’s a pleasure to share the photos that I take with you all. Although photography is not my occupation I thoroughly enjoy traveling to competitions and meeting everyone. I hope to see you all through the lens on a platform soon.
website davidmcwilliams.smugmug.com
Instagram davemcwilliamsphotography
BDFPA Internet Server
Zak Stearman
Greetings, my name is Zak, and this is my short story.
In my final year of college, I was unsure what to do for my project until my mum, a member of the BDFPA since 2023, suggested that I try live-streaming the powerlifting events she attended. Having been to these events myself, I could see the potential to turn the idea into something great.
That said, my first few streams for the BDFPA were, in my opinion, shockingly bad. But those early attempts gave me something to build on, and that brings us to where I am today. Since then, the quality, equipment and logistics have all improved massively.
Now studying at university, I’m hoping to commit my skills, time and energy before, during and after every livestream to create something I can genuinely be proud of. My goal is simple: to invest as much as I can into developing the BDFPA livestreams and bringing them up to a standard comparable with those of other powerlifting federations.
What started as a college project has grown into something I’m genuinely passionate about, and I’m excited to see where I can take it next.
Divisional records Registrar
Nicola Elding