David Moyes to discuss sport and dementia at free event in Preston

David Moyes receives his Honorary Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire in December 2017

Former Preston North End manager and University of Central Lancashire Honorary Fellow David Moyes will share his views on sport and dementia at a free public event.

Organised and hosted by UCLan’s Alzheimer’s Academic Group, In Contact – Sport and Dementia will bring together sports experts and those personally affected by the condition with the university’s dementia research community.

It will take place on Wednesday 4 December at the uni’s city campus, with a panel set to discuss the possible links between head injuries in sport and dementia.

David Moyes, who made more than 540 league appearances as a centre back before beginning his managerial career at PNE in 1998, will share his personal thoughts and experiences on the subject.

He will be joined on the panel by Dan Orwin, a lecturer in PE and Sport at the University and Rugby Football Union (RFU) level three coach; Associate Lecturer and dementia researcher Wesley Ward; and Dawn Astle, the daughter of former footballer Jeff Astle who was diagnosed with dementia at only 55.

Dr Vassilios Beglopoulos, Lecturer in Neuroscience and chair of the University’s Alzheimer’s Academic Group, said: “We want to raise awareness about the potential risks of head injury from contact sport, while also hearing from those affected either directly or indirectly by dementia.”

Dawn, who co-founded The Jeff Astle Foundation, said: “Events like this do so much to raise awareness about dementia in football. Talking openly and honestly about the experiences and the challenges players and families face is so very important.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at the event in Preston.”

The free event, chaired by University of Central Lancashire Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor StJohn Crean, is free to attend but people are asked to register via Eventbrite.

It is the fourth dementia public event hosted by the University, and will take place between 6pm and 9pm at the Harrington Lecture Theatre in Victoria Street. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

For more information, email Dr Vassilios Beglopoulos at vbeglopoulos@uclan.ac.uk.

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