It is with great sadness that the Northern Cricket Union has learned of the passing of Dixon Rose MBE.

On and off the pitch Dixon excelled in both cricket and hockey. He was President of the Irish Cricket Union in 1984 and of the Irish Hockey Union in 1985, and again from 2006-08 when it had become the Irish Hockey Association.

He also played a significant part in the NCU and was a member of the NCU Senior (later Executive) Committee continuously from 1965 to 1988. He also a member of the Sports Council of Northern Ireland. He was described by Clarence Hiles in his book 'A History of Senior Cricket in Ulster' as 'an astute if at times abrasive administrator in both codes.' 

Given his impressive administration of both games it was fitting that he was honored with an MBE for his Services to Sport in 2008.  He was also the receiptant of the Paddy Patterson Memorial Award, the highest honor given to an administrator at the prestigious Belfast Telegraph Service to Sport Awards in 2001.

In cricket he played for Instonians, where his proudest moment argubably came when he captained the team to a Challenge Cup triumph against Sion Mills in 1964, contributing with a majestic 44 in the second innings. He also represented Ulster Town in seven Senior Interprovincials between 1966 and 1970. He was also a key member of the more social Leprechauns Cricket Club.

On the hockey pitch he played for Cliftonville, and earned 15 caps for Ireland between 1957 and 1969, captaining the team once.

The Northern Cricket Union extends our deepest sympathies to the entire Rose family at this time.