New Director of Sport Appointed

Former Scotland international rugby union centre Nick De Luca has been appointed as Director of Sport at Uppingham School from April 2021. Following his retirement from his former club Wasps, he was previously appointed as the School’s Director of Rugby in June 2017.

Nick De Luca is an innovative, creative and supportive coach with a dynamic attitude to teaching, and his values-based approach to coaching has borne strong results. As an inspirational leader and a visionary, he understands the importance of creating an environment in which those who aspire to excellence in their sporting disciplines and those who simply enjoy the camaraderie of team games have the support and guidance they need to achieve their full potential and flourish.

Uppingham’s vision for sport is to create a positive environment in which all pupils can achieve success, engage with their peers and participate in the wide range of sports made available to them as well as ensuring excellence in competition results, overall performance and that outstanding athletes can access high performance development programmes.

As a school, we provide a sports education that is inclusive and pleasurable – inspiring all pupils to participate, enjoy and achieve. As part of the sports programme, Uppinghamians are educated in the importance of health, wellbeing and an active lifestyle, alongside access to expert coaching in all areas of sport.

Uppingham’s Headmaster, Dr Richard Maloney, said: “Nick De Luca has been supporting our vision to become one of the top sporting schools in the country since joining us in 2017, and I am delighted that we are able to recognise his innovation and energy as he embraces the role of Director of Sport. Nick is an outstanding holistic educator with a profound and genuine commitment to every one of our pupils’ well-being and development. We are all very excited as we begin the next chapter in Uppingham’s sporting journey with Nick De Luca at the helm. I know, with his vision and passion for sport, that he will achieve exceptional things in the years to come.”

Nick De Luca said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Director of Sport at Uppingham. The School has supported me as I’ve made the transition from retiring from the game I love to nurturing the next generation of sporting talent. Sport is one of the pillars of Uppingham’s commitment to a truly holistic education and I’m excited to align my ambitious vision with that of the School’s as I take on my new role.”

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