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2019 category winner and overall winner of the Hymers 100 most inspiring people
1949-1956
David Oxley studied at Worcester College, Oxford after leaving Hymers. He went on to teach at Merchant Taylor’s School Northwood for four years and then at St Edward’s School Oxford. From 1969-72 David was Head of the English Department at St Peter’s School in York, and later in 1972-1976 held the post of Deputy Headmaster at Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover.
David’s vast contribution to the sporting field includes his role as chief executive of the Rugby Football League for almost 20 years, a former member of the Sports Council, Chair of the Yorkshire Council for Sport, Chair of the Lottery Panel and Chair of the CCPR. He was appointed OBE in 1989 for services to sport and in the New Year’s Honours 2002 was upgraded to CBE. David has also been President of Disability Sport Yorkshire since its’ inception in 1993. David was a Governor of Bishop Burton College and an honorary fellow of Humberside Polytechnic, which is now University of Lincoln and Humberside. David was particularly involved with Disability sport. Following his death in January 2023, David's passion and contribution to the Rugby Football League was widely celebrated. David was a popular and respected man, and an outstanding ambassador for Rugby League.