Nominee: David Tidman
David Tidman was born into a military family and raised in Norfolk England. His father was a passionate rugby player who represented the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Coventry RFC before settling in Norfolk where he continued to be involved in rugby with his local club. This is where David had his first taste of rugby. Starting at the age of 6, David played for Holt RFC and Fakenham RFC where he played throughout his school years.
In 1993 David Joined the British Army and served for 25 years. During this time, he continued his passion for rugby representing the Royal Artillery, British Army and Combined Services at various age groups. During his playing career David participated in tours and competitions all over the world including: New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the US. When not playing military rugby David also found time to play club rugby for Salisbury, Marlborough, and Pewsey RFC.
In 2012 as his playing career was nearing the end David qualified as a level 2 adult and youth rugby coach. He continued to play and coach at various clubs for the next 2 years before being selected as team manager of the Royal Artillery RFC. After 3 highly successful years in which the Royal Artillery won every major trophy and were unbeaten for 2 successive seasons, David was selected as team manager of the UK Armed Forces RFC. This included the annual Remembrance Day match against Bath RFC. In 2015 his son Sam began his rugby journey at Salisbury RFC and David began coaching mini rugby.
After leaving the British Army, David moved to Dubai with his family. In 2017 he joined the Dubai Exiles RFC and began coaching his son with the Under 8s. He has continued to coach the team through the age groups to Under 11s. David has also represented the Dubai Exiles Vets in the Emirates Airlines Dubai 7s tournament.
David is married to Jill who is a personal trainer and a first aider for the club and has a 14 year old daughter called Isabelle. He is passionate about rugby and wants to give as much back to the sport as it has given him over the last 40 years.