UPDATED: Glenwood has issued a release stating that Mike Vowles will be their new 1st XV assistant coach. There is no mention of HP director, so apologies for stating this as it now appears to be incorrect. The email mentions that Mike is also qualified as a History, Life Orientation and Technology teacher but does not state whether he has been employed as a teacher.
Mike Vowles who enjoyed a fairly successful coaching spell at Westville working alongside the likes of Springbok fullbacks Hugh Reece-Edwards and Theo van Rensburg up until 2011. He has been appointed as Glenwood’s new High Performance director.
Vowles is still actively involved in club rugby and his name has been linked with several top KZN schoolboy rugby vacancies ever since his contract at Westville ended.
Mike is a great coach and will continue the work that Sean started at Glenwood. As a Glenwood old boy but now with ties to Westville, March 15th can’t come soon enough!! On a side note waxy o’connors across the road will be hosting St paddys day on the same Saturday!! This will make for one amazing day of school boy rugby and old toppie drinking.
@ Cyndi- that is fantastic to hear. There is actually a lot of respect between the schools and the perceived divisions can easily be overcome. Good leadership is all it takes and I am glad Yuric and his team are making such a good early impression.
@CyndiAtRugby: Great to hear Cyndi :-). Do you know where I can buy Old Boys blazers, supporters shirts etc?
I was at Westville on Saturday and was most pleasantly surprised by the great conduct of the boys especially the Grade 8s. Previously when I have been there in my GW supporter’s gear I have not been greeted nor been made to feel welcome. Saturday was totally different – Well done to Yuric and his prefect team as well as all the Staff I encountered. It was a pleasure being there and I look forward to a repeat of this on 15 March.
@Grassy and everyone..
ooh we can feel the rugby season is a coming..:-) the digs and jabs are starting isnt it just great :-)
@Woltrui: Beast I beg you to come back, I love our debates and well balanced discussions…please, pretty please…
@Grasshopper: I beg to differ Sir. The BEAST always has a well balanced opinion.
@Woltrui: yes, Beast please come back. We can chat about how kak Glenwood is etc….would fun!!
God please can’t the BEAST make a comeback. Miss the animal so f#$&@ much!
@star: mate 20/20 doesn’t count, it’s a laugh and disgrace to even call it cricket. So put that aside, in 2011 I think we had 2 SA schools reps in Subrayen and another, we had beaten most. I think you will find Glenwood were up there and rain saved Westville. Anyway, if Andile plays tomorrow we have the edge if not it’s a 50/50 game…
@ Grassy- are you comparing GW to NZ( from a rugby perspective)
.Indeed rain has badly effected play and in 2012 you should thank the heavens as you were on a hiding to nothing until the game was called off. In the 20/20 in 2013 you were soundly beaten with 8 overs to spare. Being unbeaten locally was just one position to take. Being the top team at the Cape week in 2012 and beating arguably the top team in SA ( Waterkloof) twice in 2013 also helps the cause. Westville were also the provincials champions 2 years in a row at the 20/20 nationals. The SASCHOOLS RANKINGS correctly reflected these performances. All Black refers to the loss to College in early 2012. Westville were expected to dominate that game as the year before with a very young team they had beaten College on Goldstones. As discussed previously re the Grade 11 v Grade 12 debate, good performances are not only linked to the number of returning players and the experience in the team. Westville this year has had a string of poor results and is battling to find the proper balance with both bat and ball. You will find that the very young GW side is probably more settled and should be optimistic for a positive result.
@star: He leaves Clifton end of 1st term, confirmed in the Clifton newsletter. Will be good for your “polo”.
@star: Well, I think the last 4 games now vs Glenwood is cricket have been rained out, let’s hope not this weekend. Why would Westville be underdogs when Glenwood have a very young side. So being unbeaten is fine but being unbeaten by not playing the other side that has beaten College a few times is a bit like SA saying they are World number 1 without playing NZ…
@ All Black- I should have remembered that as someone close to me got a solid 100 against College on Commons 1.
OK Westville are currently unbeaten locally since January 2012. 
produced some fine young men.
@ Ballie- I have also heard rumours.( but there does not seem to be anything official as yet). Rowe is a 1981 WOB which year
@star: You are corrected. College beat Westville in 2012.
@Rhino: I understand Rowe heading that way from Clifton.
@ Rhino- I think all schools endeavour to be good all rounders. Westville will battle to back up on 2013 when they had a hugely successful year across all spheres. But I suppose that is the challenge and as long as you are not complacent and back good process the school will be fine. Already the Westville cricket team after 2 years at the top both nationally and provincially will go into Saturday’s game( at home) against GW as underdogs. The last time they lost at home locally was back in 2011( subject to correction
) But that is the nature of the beast. All schools are attacking Westville’s swimming dominance and at some point they will most probably be successful. What must not be forgotten are the heights that have been achieved which are part of the schools DNA forever. 
This is a rugby blog, I can assure you Glenwood is interested in all the sports they offer not just rugby. All schools should be the same….rugby just has the largest participation in the school with close to 500 boys involved…
@ ballie
haha why say so ? Reckon we will do pretty well this rugger season…
Hope we do well in all sports though!
Maybe Westville are focusing on water polo this year?
Hopper -College 150th – I have a recording of that game
I will contact the gentleman who gave it to me and if its Ok with him I will make a copy for you
I must say though when I watch this on my 50 inch plasma it’s not the same – nothing – but nothing can match the vibe and atmosphere at that game – one in a million – especially if your’e a Glenwood Old boy
I’ve done many things in my life that gave me highs – like jumping out of planes – the wild swing at Oribi – Flying a 747 Simulator at OR Tambo training center and more – I’ll take that 150th game as my Everest….
Sorry Northwood has great viewing facilities too. Where the ground is encircled the atmosphere is better.
@Buffel: yep, Kearsney does have the best possibilities. I have not watched from the pavilion before as the school is usually there, normally the stands on the other side. Extending the stand is a great idea! Every school has a Unique viewing experience and atmosphere. I love the midlands cold and misty afternoons. The Kearsney vs Glenwood game last year at Kearsney was a cracker too. Wish I had seen that College game….
@Grasshopper: Kearsney are expanding the Basil Medway stand on either end to accommodate more spectators under cover. The view from there is amazing and not a pillar in sight to obscure the view. More could be done on the opposite side but that would be a very expensive exercise. We do have our tent town on the Northern end of the ground which is very popular amongst parents and visitors alike . A full ground is an awesome site which lends itself to the atmosphere. College when full brings on goose bumps but not the greatest viewing ground. The College/Glenwood fixture last year was probably the best game of open rugby I have ever witnessed and am sure fellow bloggers will agree.
@Rhino: Those pillars are there to hold up the building
I get what you saying though. That is only half the stand though, the other half is open. Also, not sure when you last went to Glenwood, but there are two high viewing points the Mike Turrell Pavilion above the swimming pool and the new Ivan Clark Pavilion on the now Alan Paton Rd end, also offering refreshments etc. It’s again down to personal opinion, but a DHS vs Glenwood or Glenwood vs College game at Glenwood is the highlight of the year for me. The best viewing for me is at Hilton Gillfillan as it’s a dugout and everyone can see, especially on a House vs Hilton derby….
@Grasshopper
That’s if you can actually see the game and not stuck behind the numerous pillars which block your view ;-) !
Our pavillion is great and offers the teachers and guests refreshments(alcohol) and the beer tent is not always there only on big days and it adds to the atmosphere IMO.
To be honest the numbers wont be far off each other as the main stand for our visitors is almost the length of the field. Could be improved though slightly but its space dependant i guess
@Rhino: Nope, you don’t have the buildings and stands reverberating the war cries and crowds, the atmosphere cannot be compared at all. Glenwood’s stands cover 50% of the field, Westville at best 25% along the one touch. A big Glenwood derby gets close to 10,000 spectators and Westville 5000 max. There is a difference and remember I grew up across the road from Westville so know it well. The Westville OB’s are just rowdier and more pissed from being at the booze tent on the grounds or at Waxies..
Good appointment for Glenwood for sure.
@ Greenwood- Guess thats your opinion but i have played and watched at both and the atmoshere just as good if not better at Westville IMO – only difference is its not your home ground.
Should be good. I would to time my holiday around that period back to SA and if so will be there.
Hopper – atmosphere not the same but they will be there – wearing green shirts
@Greenwood: Take them to Westville, it’s only a 10 minute drive away. I’ll be at Westville…..
Hooper – sounds like its a done deal if Beet says “now a Glenwood man”
Pity the match is at Westville – as I’ve blogged before my daughter is coming to Dbn to get married a week after the big match and there are many Canadian , Poms & Irish folks coming and I was looking forward to
having them at Glenwood (Now changed) I would have liked them to experience the vibe at Glenwood – Oh well – not to be
Awesome news if it’s confirmed. Mike is a great person and rugby brain! Congrats mate! He will do a great job at Glenwood. The 15th of March looks even tastier now :-)