Blog Two

Following my first blog I will be following up with specific examples of what the best Directors of Sport are doing. This second blog focussing on Purpose-Driven Leadership in Sport: Turning Vision into Daily Practice

The most successful Directors of Sport lead with clarity and conviction. Their purpose is more than a strapline—it’s a driving force that shapes their decisions, inspires their teams, and aligns seamlessly with their school’s values. This sense of direction fosters a shared ethos that runs through every layer of the sporting programme, creating coherence between what happens...

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of visiting a different school and Director of Sport (DoS) almost every week. These visits have provided a unique perspective on the hallmarks of exemplary leadership in school sport. The most effective DoS demonstrate a confluence of strategic vision, operational acumen and a deep commitment to fostering a thriving sporting culture within their institutions.

Purpose-Driven Leadership

The most successful DoS articulate a well-defined purpose and vision that align seamlessly with their school’s values. Their clarity of intent fosters a shared ethos that permeates the school community, ensuring...

The historic significance of sport is still visible in many schools. It is immediately evident in the honours boards, international jerseys, colours systems and Sports Day trophies that often go back more than 100 years. Attending that are the special mechanisms which recognise the top performers. In some schools the caps, blazers and ties are still coveted currency; in others they have been consigned to the archives, but live on in the team photos which often still line the walls. There is a clear, but unintended, consequence: an implication that the sports prowess of a small number of top performers...