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David Doyne, IRELAND
I am a passionate and committed advocate for the sport of baton twirling, playing pivotal roles both nationally and internationally as an accomplished athlete and technical advisor. Dedicated to representing and supporting ‘smaller’ or ‘quieter’ countries, I ensure that all athletes — from elite to B-level competitors — are heard, fostering a culture of mutual respect and equal opportunity. In the professional sphere, I graduated as a radiographer in 2008 and currently manage one of Ireland’s largest diagnostic imaging centres, overseeing a team of over 60 staff members. With 6 years of post graduate university education, I am entrusted to read x-ray images to the standards of the highest level radiologist, and do so along side my other work. One of the most significant challenges I faced was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when tasked with managing a team of young x-ray radiographers assigned to one of London’s busiest COVID-19 intensive care units. In an unprecedented environment, with no established guidance, these young professionals relied on me for leadership, protection, and support to ensure they were respected and not overlooked. This formative experience continues to inspire me to stand up for what is right, a principle carried over into advocacy for baton twirling.
As an accomplished athlete, I have represented Ireland in WBTF, IBTF, NBTA, and CETB events since 1996, earning the WBTF 15-year achievement award in 2012. In 2023 and 2024, responding to a call from the Twirl Ireland board, I returned to competition to support the country, a role embraced with pride and honour.
In addition to athletic achievements, I have served as the Technical Advisor for Ireland since 2018. In this role, I have presented key technical motions to the WBTF board and, since 2020, have contributed as a member of the WBTF Executive Technical Committee. Notably, I played an integral part in developing and implementing the final stages of the New Judging System (NJS), which was fully adopted in Ireland by September 2022. The successful participation of 55 athletes in a November 2024 freestyle competition exemplifies this progress.
As one of the first NJS Technical Specialists, having participated in testing phases held in Turin and Helsingborg, I am poised to contribute further to the 2026 Freestyle Championships and the final preparatory stages for the NJS’s official implementation.
While my passion drives achievement, I am mindful of how emotions are expressed and how these may be misunderstood. Recognising the need to choose words carefully, particularly dealing with cultural differences and language barriers, I strive to ensure that enthusiasm and advocacy are conveyed positively, and try to avoid perceptions of anger, aggression or frustration. This commitment reflects the genuine desire to support, uplift, and inspire others.
My unwavering dedication, leadership, and technical expertise continue to advance the sport of baton twirling and ensure that athletes from all countries and levels have a voice that is respected and represented on the global stage.