Denstone are delighted to announce the appointment of new key members of the sports coaching team

Denstone College has a phenomenal reputation for their sports provision in all areas and as such, we are delighted to announce the appointment of two new key members of the sports coaching team.  With our pupils excelling in both local, national and international competition, it is essential that we introduce them to the highest level of coaching.  Our new appointments will be taking up the positions of Director of Rugby and Director of Hockey respectively.

Rupert Harden has recently retired, having previously represented Benetton Treviso and Gloucester at prop.  He has spent the last three years transitioning from professional Rugby to teaching, whilst playing for Richmond RFC and Hartpury University RFC in the Green King Championship. 

The Australian-born prop mixed his youth between London, Rugby School and Cumbria, while representing England Counties.

His coaching background includes coaching Gloucester-Hartpury Womens in the Tyrells Premiership, being part of the coaching team for the Hartpury elite under 18 programme.

He will be moving to the school with his wife Lily, and children Aurelia and Bertie –not forgetting Pesto the dog!

Rupert is looking forward to building on the excellence of the current rugby programme with an emphasis on developing the ‘Denstone Way’ and a focus on foundations.  He is looking to increase participation across the College, giving greater numbers of pupils the opportunity to represent the school. 

Chris Prosser is joining us from his post as Director of Hockey at Moreton Hall.   An experienced hockey coach, Chris looks forward to continuing the sporting excellence for which Denstone College is renowned.

Chris’ passion for the sport derived from his school days where he represented his local hockey club at a regional level. A graduate from the University of Worcester, Chris previously worked at Malvern College and coached Malvern Hockey Club’s Womens’ 1st team successfully in the regional league.

Chris has also worked across schools in Birmingham as a hockey coach and established a flourishing junior programme of talented athletes. He also coaches in the England Hockey Pathway at AC level with Shropshire and has previously coached in Worcestershire, as well as being team manager at the Boys’ West Midlands Performance Centre.   Chris is keen to join Denstone’s Hockey provision at an exciting time of development.

Speaking about his new position, Chris said, “I am looking forward to bringing in new initiatives to build on the current hockey program, increase participation, enter new National competitions and also introduce indoor hockey to the mix.”

Hockey, along with Rugby, are two of Denstone College’s major sports where there is a strong tradition of competitive success, reflected in the outstanding results achieved by the teams every year.

Tommy Williams, Assistant Head: Co-Curriculum at Denstone College, said, “Chris and Rupert will continue to develop the level of provision on offer to our pupils. They are both fantastic coaches and leaders but most importantly, great people. I look forward to seeing the impact that they will make at the College.”