Confirmed – the appointment of Greg Miller. Miller will also stay on with Investec and balance the responsibilities.
Post from 19 October 2014
It’s not official yet but Hilton is expected to name Greg Miller, the current Investec International Rugby Academy General Manager as their new Director of Rugby.
The famed Grey High, Port Elizabeth old boy of 1991 represented SA Schools at both rugby and cricket and still holds a school record for their annual quad race* over 20 years on. Greg represented Eastern Province and Border at rugby and enjoyed stints in Europe as a professional player too. In 2006 Greg became Grey’s Director of Rugby. In 2010 he moved to Durban to take up the position at the IIRA.
This post will be updated as soon as more information is available on where Greg’s Investec job will fit into the new big picture and where current Hilton Head of Rugby Tony Richter will slot into the new rugby structure.
It’s believed that current Hilton 1st XV head coach (and teacher) AC Blume has one year left to run on his existing coaching contract.
*Grey High’s Quad Race (from Wikipedia):
Inspired by the film Chariots of Fire which deals with the rivalry between two famous Olympic athletes , Grey High School had both the cloisters and the necessary clock tower to perform this and thus it decided to adapt its own version of a “Quad Race” , held annually.
Matric Students (Final year School Leavers) participate in time trials and the two most nca qualifiers are chosen to compete in the race. They then toss for position, the winner usually choosing the inside lane. They wait for the four quarters to strike on the clock tower before they are set off by the Rector on the first strike of the chimes. They begin the race directly in front of the war memorial and they run in an anti-clockwise direction. They race against each other as well as against the eight chimes which take approximately 20 seconds to ring. The record stands to the name of past staff member, Greg Miller, with a time of 19.8 seconds. He is one of very few who have beaten the clock.
Hilton College Newsletter confirming Greg Miller’s appointment
… also wish to draw your attention to a review of our Sports Coaching Philosophy. Our recent strategic review process highlighted the need for an Administrative Head of Sport and a Director of Coaching in each of our four major sports codes. Whilst the Administrative Head of Sport will look after the day-to-day running of the sport, the Director of Coaching will focus on developing coaches and on establishing a sound infrastructure or development pathway for our players throughout the age groups.
As part of our re-structuring process, we have subscribed to the philosophy that in order to improve the performance of our players, we need to develop and improve our coaches within a well-established infrastructure. To this end, the Director of Coaching will be responsible for establishing a culture that values and rewards player development. The ultimate responsibility of the Director of Coaching is to create an environment where players can maximize their potential.
One common tenet of coaching is that the system of play should be based on the strengths of the players. With that said, however, the style of play within the club should not vary from one age group to the next, or from one coach to another. Top sporting schools are marked by the fact that their teams, at every age group, attempt to play with a similar style and philosophy which serves as a tremendous aid in player development across age groups. This will be a key objective in terms of the roles of the Directors’ of Coaching.
Accomplishing this lofty objective requires a wide-range of professional skills and time to engage coaches and players in a challenging environment. We currently have in our employ, Jock Coombes, Neil Johnson and Lionel Randall who can perform the Director of Coaching roles in Hockey, Cricket and Water Polo respectively. We do not currently have a dedicated staff member available, with the required free time, to fulfil a full-time role like this in rugby. To this end, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Miller to the position of Director of Coaching (Rugby) with effect from January 2015. Greg Miller is a former teacher, Director of Rugby at Grey High School and Selborne College, and he has been the Director of the Investec Rugby Academy for the last four years. His appointment to this position is very exciting for the Hilton College Rugby Club.
Greg’s teaching background, coupled with his technical expertise, his visionary thinking about the future of the game and how to adapt in this ever-changing environment, sees him well-placed to drive the process and initiate a long term, sustainable rugby programme at Hilton College. We look forward to welcoming Greg into the Hilton family and to benefitting from what he has to offer.
What was Hilton’s excuse again, Glenwood have gone to another level. Seems Hilton want to be at that level too with a professional appointment, hypocrits it seems. Loved it whilst they panned everyone with post matrics, cry foul when others are too professional but then get a professional coach. Seems Hilton does what suits them, scared of humiliating results for a few years. Glenwood got panned in the 90’s by grown men in the Hilton sides, no excuses…..bunch of pansies….
This blog was originally posted on 19 October. If you look at the comment dates many are a few weeks old and don’t relate to this blog so I will move them to avoid confusion
@umbiloburger: @Cappie: It’s the story he posted on the blog about the boy who is alleged to be over-age.
@beet: Can you e-mail me the article to please?
@beet: please send it to me beet. I didn’t read it either.
@GreenBlooded: It’s a real pity we won’t see GW vs Hilton in 2015
2013 U16A result was a 10-8 win to Glenwood which as we know doesn’t always transfer to 1st XV results, but I’m predicting Hilton’s 1st XV will be seriously competitive in 2015 with several excellent “home grown” players at their disposal.
Give him a few years there and they might be a match for Glenwood again……
Astute acquisition. This will improve rugby at Michaelhouse.
Hilton Newsletter
also wish to draw your attention to a review of our Sports Coaching Philosophy. Our recent strategic review process highlighted the need for an Administrative Head of Sport and a Director of Coaching in each of our four major sports codes. Whilst the Administrative Head of Sport will look after the day-to-day running of the sport, the Director of Coaching will focus on developing coaches and on establishing a sound infrastructure or development pathway for our players throughout the age groups.
As part of our re-structuring process, we have subscribed to the philosophy that in order to improve the performance of our players, we need to develop and improve our coaches within a well-established infrastructure. To this end, the Director of Coaching will be responsible for establishing a culture that values and rewards player development. The ultimate responsibility of the Director of Coaching is to create an environment where players can maximize their potential.
One common tenet of coaching is that the system of play should be based on the strengths of the players. With that said, however, the style of play within the club should not vary from one age group to the next, or from one coach to another. Top sporting schools are marked by the fact that their teams, at every age group, attempt to play with a similar style and philosophy which serves as a tremendous aid in player development across age groups. This will be a key objective in terms of the roles of the Directors’ of Coaching.
Accomplishing this lofty objective requires a wide-range of professional skills and time to engage coaches and players in a challenging environment. We currently have in our employ, Jock Coombes, Neil Johnson and Lionel Randall who can perform the Director of Coaching roles in Hockey, Cricket and Water Polo respectively. We do not currently have a dedicated staff member available, with the required free time, to fulfil a full-time role like this in rugby. To this end, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Miller to the position of Director of Coaching (Rugby) with effect from January 2015. Greg Miller is a former teacher, Director of Rugby at Grey High School and Selborne College, and he has been the Director of the Investec Rugby Academy for the last four years. His appointment to this position is very exciting for the Hilton College Rugby Club.
Greg’s teaching background, coupled with his technical expertise, his visionary thinking about the future of the game and how to adapt in this ever-changing environment, sees him well-placed to drive the process and initiate a long term, sustainable rugby programme at Hilton College. We look forward to welcoming Greg into the Hilton family and to benefitting from what he has to offer.
Beet Got it – thanks !
@QC86: Nope, last bought a paper 11 years ago. What did it say?
@Greenwood: Tell me if you don’t get it. My email is playing up a bit
Thanks Beet
@Greenwood: I’ll send you a scan of the article.
QC – didn’t get the Times
Can you briefly summerize what was said
@Grasshopper: Hey grassy did you read the Sunday Times yesterday? GW featured prominently. TK got a bit of egg on his face this morning.
@Grasshopper: There is a bit of a mixed message here.
Hilton’s approach is not professional at all