Selborne charts a new course with Derek Page at the helm

Selborne College have opted for a fresh direction with the appointment of Derek Page as their new full time Director of Rugby. Page, the school’s 1986 Head Boy and the most capped 1st XV player in Selborne’s proud rugby history, returns from Johannesburg to East London to take the reins of the programme.

A man deeply passionate about Selborne and highly respected within the wider community, there is every chance Derek will combine his corporate background with an unwavering commitment to the school. His appointment is seen as a major step in strengthening ties with Old Selbornians and securing broader support — both of which are crucial to sustaining rugby excellence in today’s highly competitive schoolboy environment.

In an additional boost, Jake White, former Springbok coach and World Cup winner, will join in a consultancy capacity to help establish Selborne’s rugby structures and high-performance programme.

In the interim, Allan Miles will remain as head coach until the new structures are finalised, during which his role may be adjusted to meet evolving needs.

Selborne letter from the Headmaster’s desk:

Dear Selborne College Community – Old Boys, Parents, and Supporters

RE: SELBORNE COLLEGE RUGBY PROGRAMME

In the build up to our prestigious Founders Day, we are proud to announce the following appointment in our new rugby structure.

• Derek Page – Director of Rugby

Derek is an Old Selbornian, a former head boy, 1st team rugby captain, provincial rugby player, and has many years of experience in rugby structures. There is no doubt that Derek will bring dedication and passion to this role, and we look forward to having him on board.

We are also excited to announce that Jake White, former Springbok and World Cup winning coach, will provide advisory and mentorship support to Selborne College rugby.

In addition to the above, Adam Robertson and Roy Godfrey have offered to continue their highly successful roles for Selborne College, and we will engage with other external support coaches and specialists from this past season to refine and secure their availability for next season.

We are honoured and privileged to have all the above skilled persons, along with our internal teachers and coaches, who I would like to thank for the value which they bring to Selborne College.

Finally, we are also pleased to announce that we have received a generous donation to upgrade the Selborne Fitness Centre to the benefit of all our players, across all codes, in their strength and conditioning programmes. This is an interim measure that also strengthens the case for future funding for the High-Performance Centre.

These are exciting times for the advancement of Selborne College, and we are grateful for the immense support and enthusiasm shown by parents, Old Boys, teachers, coaches, and the schoolboys themselves.