Dave Walder

Born and bred in Newcastle, Dave Walder left the northern city and moved to the bright lights of London in 2006 with his move to Wasps. In 1999 he made his debut for the Newcastle Falcons Academy, where he progressed as a player, and twice snatched victory from under Wasps' noses with last-minute penalties to seal Premiership wins for the Falcons in previous seasons.

After 110 games for the Falcons, Walder moved to Wasps and made a healthy fourteen appearances with the 1XV in the 2006/07 season. As well as making impressive performances with the 1XV Walder played a key role as captain of the A team and helped secure the title for Wasps at the close of the season.

The 2007/08 season saw competition rise for the fly-half position between himself and Danny Cipriani. Yet he continued his role with the A side as captain, and led the team to numerous victories, before a broken leg brought his season to a premature end. Misfortune was also to befall him in 2009, when he'd showed some outstanding form before again suffering a season-ending injury. Despite his bad luck, he's so far made 46 first team appearances, with his accurate place-kicking bagging him 263 points.

Internationally, Walder won his first cap for England in 2001 on the tour of North America. Yet after a broken leg in 2002/03 he returned to full fitness and played in the Test in August 2003 against Wales, in the warm up for the 2003 World Cup Campaign. He also gained a place in the 2004 tour of Canada with the Churchill Cup squad.

His efforts away from the pitch in the community were recognised by the Club and he was awarded the London Wasp Community Player of the Year Award at the 2007 End of Season Awards Dinner. The following season, he was recognized nationally, and named EDF Energy Community Player of the Year.