Tributes have poured in on social media for a Ballakermeen High School teacher who died recently.

A tribute was posted on Ballakermeen’s Facebook page for Dave Ball, a former PE teacher at the school.

The statement said: ’We would like to take this moment, as a community, to reflect on the tragic passing of our friend and colleague, Mr Dave Ball.

’Dave was an integral part of our family for two decades, and was an inspiration to countless numbers of colleagues and students during this time.’

Ballakermeen’s tribute covered Mr Ball’s passion for teaching and his encouragement towards other teachers and students.

It continued: ’He was constantly striving to energise us, encouraging us to be a part of something bigger than our own subject areas.’

Mr Ball was also described as ’a master of his craft’ who taught with ’passion, precision and patience’.

The statement added: ’During his leaving speech, he told us that despite having taught a large number of acclaimed athletes during his career, nothing gave him greater reward than helping someone who wasn’t so sporty to succeed in developing their skills.’

Described in the tribute as a ’dear friend to many’, it stated that his death had shaken those at the school greatly.

’Thank you for giving everything you had Dave, we will not forget you,’ the statement said. ’We offer our sincere condolences and support to his family: Dave was a proud father who loved his children deeply.’

In the comments under the statement, hundreds of people left their own tributes.

Colin Thomas, a former student at the school, said his main experience of him was on the school’s California football trip.

He said: ’In the lead up to my first trip I told him I thought I was there as a squad player because they’d played me all over the place in the warm up games before we left.

’He told me they’d done it to test my character, to see how I’d react and that I’d start the first game in my favourite position.

’Don’t know how true it all was but I felt 10 feet tall and had the most memorable of trips, that shows how great he was.’

Katherine Belcher, also a former student, said: ’Mr Ball had such a wonderful presence, what a lovely man.

’Only recently I saw him with his dog in a cafe and he wanted to make sure I was okay with dogs before he sat opposite me, I couldn’t help but say "yes, sir" - which I think speaks volumes for how well respected and liked he was.’