Wizard of Aus joins Hereford Cathedral School
24 Apr 2015
Marcus Blackburn has been appointed as the new Assistant Head (Sport & Extra-Curricular) at Hereford Cathedral School.
Mr Blackburn currently is Head of PE and Director of Rugby at The Scots College, Sydney, which is one of Australia’s leading independent schools, with a national and international reputation for sport: the school has produced a number of Olympians and World Champions in a variety of sports as well as a number of international rugby players. Mr Blackburn will take up his role from July 2015 and will play an instrumental part in laying the foundations for, and delivering, a unique programme of sporting and extra-curricular pathways at Hereford Cathedral School.
Born in Birmingham, Mr Blackburn is a man of many parts. He attended Brynteg School, Bridgend, before studying Drama at Exeter University. He has a distinguished sporting pedigree himself, having​ been the National Rugby Sevens Coach and Development Manager for the Singapore Rugby Union, Coaching Director of the New South Wales Waratahs Sevens Programme and author of the book ‘Coaching Rugby Sevens’. In addition, he has experience as a television commentator and has taught at King’s College School Wimbledon, one of the UK’s leading academic schools, as well as Raffles Institution, Singapore.
Mr Blackburn said he is very much looking forward to the role, and playing a part in the short, medium and long-term development plans of the School.
“The vision, commitment and passion within the School is impressive, and it is clear that Hereford Cathedral School is clearly a school going places. I am delighted to be joining the School at this exciting stage of development.”
Mr Paul Smith, Hereford Cathedral School’s Headmaster, added:
“I am delighted that Marcus (Blackburn) has agreed to join us and lead our whole school sporting and extra-curricular provision forward. Not only did his credentials, experience and potential stand out, but his passion for sport and drive to enable pupils to achieve their very best was clear to see.”
Marcus and his wife Tara are very much looking forward to moving to Herefordshire with their two sons who will also be joining Hereford Cathedral School.