We have put together a fantastic Spring issue for you that will inspire you throughout the season.
I posed a question on the cover that may seem hard to answer – surely you need both? For Mark Burley, Director of Sport at Canford School, the answer is easy. “Top-class facilities are great, but you need excellent people to deliver sport which will have an impact beyond the school,” he said.
Alex Diggins spoke to Mark on page 16 about his background playing football and rugby, the wide range of coaching jobs he has taken on and the values he wants to instil in pupils. Mark also said: “Sport teaches you that determination and hard work are non-negotiable if you want to succeed at anything,” – words to live by I think, and not just in sport.
This issue is our hockey special and we have not only brought together two whole pages of schools’ recent successes, but we have also brought you an exclusive alumni interview on page 34. Ex-pupil of Scarborough College Mark Precious has led a varied life, representing GB at the Olympics as well as lecturing at Oxford University – to mention just two of his accomplishments. He looks backs fondly on his school days, reminding us that our education when we are growing up has a huge part to play in who we will become.
I hope you enjoy the issue.
Jo Golding
Editor, Independent School Sport
