Andy Houston (Cubitt 2001), who for the last decade has been Cranleigh’s hugely influential and successful Director of Rugby, stepped down from the post at the end of the Lent Term and from September will become the School’s first Director of Sport.
The need for a Director of Sport has been recognised for some time, and Andy is an ideal fit, bringing a passion for sport as well as an understanding of what works – and what does not work – in the current set-up.
“There’s a vast amount that we do here which is great,” he said. “I see my role though is to focus on a couple of key areas.
“The first target I have set myself is that every pupil who leaves Cranleigh will actively pursue a lifetime involvement in sport because of the great experiences they have had here. I often will say that an English teachers aim is to give their students a joy of reading, and then if they have children, to pass that enjoyment down to them. That is the same for me with sport. In order to achieve that, it will mean increasing options to provide every pupil an opportunity to try a new sport.
“The second aim will be to help all pupils to achieve their potential. I truly believe in the concept of hard work paying off, and, I would like to develop a pathway through the school that those pupils who have set their goals to the very highest level are able to achieve them through the set-up and support we provide here. We will be running clinics about sport psychology, nutrition as well as extra early morning fitness sessions.
“Deep down I really do want all staff, pupils and parents to love the sport here at Cranleigh”.
A full interview with Andy will appear shortly