From Bath to Oundle

We talk to Danny Grewcock MBE, former Bath Rugby player, about his new role as Director of Sport at Oundle School

Posted by Hannah Oakman | November 09, 2016 | Sports & Leisure

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Danny Grewcock MBE joins Oundle School in September. Danny has 69 England caps, was selected for two British Lions tours and was awarded an MBE for services to rugby. He is now director of sport at Oundle School, a co-ed HMC school in Northamptonshire.

Tell us about your career highlights so far

I had a fantastic playing career that spanned 16 years, which meant I met some legends of rugby in France’s Phillipe Sella and Australia’s Michael Lynagh when I played at Saracens and won the cup with them in 1998. My 10 years at Bath were enjoyable through the friends I made and the many playing highlights, which included a Premiership final and European challenge cup success. For England and the Lions every game was a privilege. My personal favourite was the England tour to South Africa in 2000 where we played a two-match series and finished one apiece – both were very physical and well matched games.

What made you move into the education sector?

My mother was a teacher and ultimately coaching is teaching so I think it was an obvious transition. When I stopped playing, the challenge (as for any player) was to find a career that would be as satisfying. For me, I get huge satisfaction in passing on my knowledge to the next generation and seeing pupils learn and improve.

What are your plans for sport at Oundle?

Oundle sport is in a very good place. We have excellent facilities and an investment programme (the Sports Masterplan) which will set the standard in sports provision in the schools sector. What is even more important is the quality of the teaching staff who are all involved in the coaching of an excellent programme. My role is to continue the development of our coaches, ensuring we set the optimum learning environment and appropriate level of challenge. We aim to deliver options that involve every pupil and stretch each athlete in our programme. It has been pleasing to see that the boys and girls at Oundle are very active and ambitious in their sport.

How does sport play a part in the overall independent school experience?

The success of any programme is based on the balance it provides and I think this is what Oundle do best. The academic opportunities and those of the co-curricular programme provide a wide and varied selection of opportunities for every pupil. Sport also plays a large role in developing the character of our pupils and allows social interaction away from the classroom. We encourage agile minds and physical fitness to search for the strategic advantage. We want intelligent decision makers on the sports field and in the classroom.

If you hadn’t become a rugby player, what might you have done?

I would have become a teacher, or possibly joined the military.