TRIBUTES have been paid to an inspirational teacher who was "one of the most distinguished amateur sportsmen of his generation". Norman Borrett, who died on December 10 aged 87, had a lifelong link to Framlingham College, starting as a pupil before becoming the Head of Geography at the distinguished Suffolk school.

TRIBUTES have been paid to an inspirational teacher who was "one of the most distinguished amateur sportsmen of his generation".

Norman Borrett, who died on December 10 aged 87, had a lifelong link to Framlingham College, starting as a pupil before becoming the Head of Geography at the distinguished Suffolk school.

While a pupil at the school between 1931 and 1936 he became one of the most talented schoolboy sportsmen, as well as Head Boy.

As a teacher, he became Master of Stradbroke House and finally Second Master. His attachment to the school also led him to be the President of the Society of Old Framlinghamians.

But he is probably best known for his sporting achievements.

He played rugby as a schoolboy for the Eastern Counties and was a Cambridge Hockey Blue between 1938 and 1939, as well as playing county cricket for Devon and Essex and becoming the English open amateur squash champion for five consecutive years.

Mr Borrett was Captain of the Great Britain Hockey XI in the 1948 London Olympiad, winning a silver medal. He also played for the England hockey team in 1939 through to 1953.

In squash, he was captain of Cambridge University in 1938 and English Open Amateur Squash champion from 1946 to 1950. He also became president of the Squash Rackets Association.

Past Framlingham College student and current President of the Society of Old Framlinghamians, Norman Porter, described him as a character and a very powerful figure.

He said: "In many ways he must have been one of the most distinguished amateur sportsmen of his generation."

Mr Porter, who is a teacher at Woodbridge School, added: "I was taught hockey by him and he was a superb coach. I went on and played at international level and we owe quite a lot to him for starting it all off.

"There are very few clubs in the East of England who will not have had a Framlinghamian in their ranks at some stage and there are many, many county or divisional or international players, which he produced. He put a lot back into the sport."

Mr Borrett lived in Framlingham for most of his life until his health declined and he moved to Frinton-on-Sea.

The Society of Old Framlinghamians is publishing a booklet on his life and times.

Framlingham College head Gwen Randall recalled his "tremendous sense of humour" and said he was "an inspirational character".

"He was almost a legend in his time, a fantastic sportsman and an inspiration to generations of pupils," she said.

Such was his impact that an Astroturf pitch at the college was named after him.

He and his wife, Mullie, were well loved at the college, and they continued to come back, said Mrs Randall.

Mr Borrett leaves a wife, Mullie, two sons, Anthony and Timothy, and grandchildren James, Alexandra and Katherine.

His funeral service takes place at St Mary's parish church, Frinton-on-Sea, today at 3.15pm.