THERE can be no doubt that Dennis Wainwright of The Wickets, Smith's Parish, is a man of distinction, in a class by himself.

He is a sportsman extraordinary, twice inducted in Bermuda's Hall of Fame, twice honoured by the Queen, and recipient of multiple honours, national and otherwise for his performances in cricket and soccer, and among other things in more recent years twice cited for his roles in the International Federation of Body Builders.

Dennis and his family were in London recently attending his investiture at Buckingham Palace where he received an MBE from the Queen for his contributions to sports and community. He was accompanied by Natalie, his wife of 47 years, son Dennis, Jr., and grandson D'Andre, aged six.

We have known Dennis for many of his 70 years. We have long considered him a role model worthy of emulation for his sterling character. He's a leading churchman, dedicated family man who from his youth seems to have given total commitment to whatever he commits his versatile hands and keen mind.

He did not reach his stardom in sudden flight, having practised long and hard, and played studiously at club, county, league, Cup Match and on national teams. He became captain of the St. George's Cup Match team and a player for 19 years, mainly as the club's ace wicketkeeper and a consistently high scorer, as well as goalkeeper in that star-studded Bermuda soccer team that won the silver medal in the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada. That was in 1967 when Mexico beat Bermuda in the final game, in extra time.

The Winnipeg team was inducted in the Bermuda Hall of Fame last year; and most significantly, again this year Dennis was centre stage honoured for his individual all-round contributions to sports in general and most especially as a wicketkeeper and goalkeeper.

Dennis credits much of his success in cricket to his father Wilton (Billy) Wainwright and his uncle Philip (Fat Meat) Wainwright, both of whom who played for Flatts Victoria Club (FVC) in the county games. Philip was both a wicketkeeper and opening bat for the St. George's Cup Match team, positions where young Dennis excelled, thanks to the keen interest uncle Philip had shown in him.

However, his interest in the broader spectrum of sports was stoked while a student at Harrington Sound Primary School under headmaster Dr. Kenneth E. Robinson.

The school had a heavy concentration of male teachers who inspired him. They included former Cup Match player and tennis champion Russell Dismont, track and field star Vernon Jones, table tennis ace Chesley Trott, and Mansfield Brock. Moreover, there was Alma (Champ) Hunt who coached the youth there in track and field, cricket and soccer.

Born in St. George's, Dennis moved with his family at an early age to Bailey's Bay and later to Flatts Hill. He recalled walking daily to and from Flatts Hill to Cripple Gate School in Bailey's Bay. After school he wandered around FVC field playing ball, and gaining the attention of senior players, who observed how eager he was, coupled with his fast, safe hands. He was fanatical about batting, and when the seniors were practising, he often stayed behind the wicketkeeper to catch balls the keeper missed.

COUNTY and league games were as a rule played on Thursday afternoons, and often players were needed to make up the numbers when regular cricketers were unavailable. When he was 15, FVC needed a waiting man. Dennis was chosen, and that was the big break that set him on his way.

At first he was a slip fielder, taking some spectacular catches, and he also proved to be an accurate medium fast opening bowler and eventually his club's opening bat.

He got his first break at wicketkeeping when the regular keeper, C.V. (Jim) Woolridge was moved to another position. Dennis had proved to be more adept at standing close to the wicket, and more agile.

In school he played right-half back on the football team, a position he kept when in his teens he joined the Flatts Tigers. He suffered a knee injury in one game, and his doctor told him there was likelihood he would not be able to play football again.

Dennis defied the odds, gradually worked his way back on the team by manning the goal. Of course, he went on to become the national goalkeeper, playing in four FA Championship finals and other major games.

The year 1956 was an eventful one for his cricket when he was chosen as a waiting man in the Cup Match. Early in the season he made a century playing against Somerset in a Pick of the League team, and later in a trial match against St. George's he suffered a broken jaw through a return from Carlton Welch.

That resulted in his jaw being wired for five weeks. In his first game after the wires were removed, he scored 109 for Flatts against Bailey's Bay. But for all of that, to his tear-filled disappointment Dennis could only make 12th man when St. George's captain Eldon Gilbert presented his 1956 team.

In 1957 Dennis finally made the St. George's Cup Match team. And during the next 19 years, he only missed playing in one Cup Match. That was when he went to Winnipeg as goalkeeper, in that silver-medal winning Pan American Games final against Mexico.

For the next two decades Dennis played against some of the best cricketers, including Gary Sobers and Michael Holding. He was a double-international, playing against Pakistan and Jamaica. He went on cricket tours to England, West Indies, Canada and the United States with Chummy Hayward's Wanderers, and John G. Bassett's cricket excursions to Jamaica. He was once selected for the Heineken Cricketer of the Year Award.

When his active playing days were over, Dennis became more intensely involved with sports administration. He served a period as secretary of Somers Isle Cricket League and on the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control. He qualified as a first-class football referee and became president of the Bermuda Referees Association.

He was a founding member of the Bermuda Body Building Federation in 1987, and for the past 17 years has been its president. Bermuda teams have regularly participated in Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.

DENNIS is also one of the four vice-presidents of the International Federation of Caribbean and Atlantic Bodybuilders comprised of 36. In that position he is charged with direct responsibility for nine nations in the Antilles Region including Jamaica, Cuba, Belize, Mexico, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Dominican Republic and, of course, Bermuda.

He says there is a strong likelihood Bermuda will host the championships next year.

He became interested in body building early in his sports career, recognising the importance of weight training in track and field and in cricket and football.

As a home owner, Dennis says he never sacrificed his personal and family life for sports or vice versa. He learned his trade under his father who was one of the country's leading carpenters.

He always worked two or three jobs, at his tools and as a bar waiter in one or another of the leading hotels. He made a point of engaging in body culture during his lunch hours and never became addicted to liquor or cigarettes.

Dennis and Natalie are parents of three, Dennis, Jr., Deborah Wainwright and Paula Thomas. Natalie is also fitness-conscious. She swims year-round every day at John Smith's Bay, joining other members of the Sawn Swimmers at 6.30 a.m. And later in the day she regularly goes to the Sea View Gym in Pembroke, Monday through Friday.

The Wainwrights are regular worshippers at Bethel AME Church. He is a trustee at the church and serves on its stewards and finance boards. He also sings in the senior choir and the popular Bethel Male Voice Choir.