Jake White has left his role as a rugby consultant for Selborne College in East London, citing a lack of support from the headmaster.
The former Springbok coach was appointed late last year to help strengthen Selborne’s rugby programme.
However, in a letter to the school, White confirmed he had stepped away from the project after becoming frustrated with what he described as insufficient backing from headmaster Andrew Dewar.
“In my initial introduction to Selborne Rugby I was sold a project,” White wrote. “This was to get Selborne Rugby up to a level of excellence. I was under the impression that the Headmaster was totally on board. Totally!!
“I have felt that the Headmaster is not totally committed to the changes needed or expected. Through my experience as a teacher, it’s a futile project unless the Headmaster backs it 100%. After some reflection I think it would be better for me to step away from the Selborne project.”
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White added that ongoing challenges made it impossible for him to deliver on expectations.
“You would be aware that associating my name with a rugby programme can be beneficial or detrimental to my own career,” he said.
“I feel that I cannot deliver on the expectations with all the continuous obstacles I face along the way. I therefore say it again. I will no longer be involved with Selborne Rugby. Thanks so much for your support.”
The 62-year-old indicated he could reconsider his position if certain conditions were met, but for now his involvement with the school has come to an abrupt end.
White’s letter to Selborne Foundation Trust:
Hi Andy
I have been involved actively on the ground with Selborne Rugby. From the preseason planning until now which is the 1st week of matches.
In the last few months I have seen and been privy to certain things that I think you should be aware of.
I don’t want this to be an attack on anyone but it is what it is.
In my initial introduction to Selborne Rugby I was sold a project. This was to get Selborne Rugby up to a level of excellence.
I was under the impression that the Headmaster was totally on board. Totally !!
I must mention that I had done my research. Alan Miles and Phiwe Nomhlomo had in previous years found it extremely difficult to get the Headmaster onside with rugby and its needs. They were often very frustrated.
Phiwe had in fact warned me that unless the Headmaster was totally on board it would be mission impossible.
After some reflection I think it would be better for me to step away from the Selborne project.
I have felt that the Headmaster is not totally committed to the changes needed or expected.
Through my experience as a teacher, it’s a futile project unless the Headmaster backs it 100%.
Let me give you a few examples.
* The coaches need to be signed off by the Headmaster. Headmaster alone. Headmasters are not experts in that field.
* The training days and times need to be signed off by the Headmaster. How much time, how many sessions. Headmaster alone. How and why?
* Any communication on the rugby program needs to be signed off by the Headmaster. In fact by him and his wife, (who is head of marketing). Nothing can be posted or sent out without their permission. I waited 2 months to get a letter out to the parents for a U14 camp. Headmaster and his wife played table tennis with their response to me asking why. One waiting on the other and visa
versa.
* We started Rugby season and the Hockey club decided to have hockey trials on our rugby training day. Why? Because they wanted to highjack the practice. Get all the Grade 8 boys to hockey practice away from Rugby. Imagine if rugby pushed in a training session and impeded on hockey?
* As an aside. Those hockey sessions were not on the D6, which incidental was signed off by the Headmaster. I have seen the reaction of the Headmaster when the Rugby boys started preseason training sessions an hour earlier than agreed. Cricket masters complained.. E mails, meetings, etc. Yet if hockey start earlier, then nothing gets said. Likewise if another sport impedes rugby, then it is okay, but not the other way around?
* The Headmaster has continually asked for communication. Let’s communicate Jake. Chats with him are always far off the pressing issues. He is a master at avoiding the crucial issues.
* I have sent him an email with some serious issues. Dated 4th March – As of the 10th March no reply. The email is attached.
* I have also sent him various SMS messages and voicemails. Not once has he even acknowledged receiving any of them, never mind replied.
One of the needs in the Selborne Rugby calendar is to arrange fixtures for as many teams as possible. It’s hugely unfair to expect parents to buy rugby kit for boys if they play a few matches a season. Also boys grow and change from Grade 8 to Grade 12 so keeping boys involved is vital as the late developer doesn’t get lost.
I arranged through my contacts with Queens College Headmaster a fixture for the lower teams in each age group on Border Rugby Day. I then hear from Jaco that the Headmaster has said to him that no rugby fixtures will be allowed as it’s the Colour Run. A fund raiser for the Rowing Club takes preference over a rugby fixture in Rugby Season .
It’s important to understand that rugby fixtures can only be finalised once all schools start the winter season, because everyone needs to see how many players are available per age group. It is therefore impossible to log it on the D6. (School Calendar).
I then went and met with the Headmaster in his office to discuss. Is it not strange that I Jake had to go and convince the Headmaster. I’m not a teacher or an old boy.
He after listening to my request replied “Let me think about it “. I’m still waiting for a response.
In the meantime Queens are waiting on a response from me.
It seems that the Headmaster has not let go. He still wants to be in charge of everything. I feel like I am wasting my time. It would be better at this stage for me to step back until the decision makers are all aligned.
I feel that the people who want change, the people pushing for excellence in the rugby program at Selborne are the people on the outside. Old boys, Foundation members
Internally nothing will change until the Headmaster has signed off and let go.
The leadership of the school are not Rugby men. In fact not one of the school top 5 are involved with the rugby club. At our 1st Rugby practice boys never arrived after putting their names down to play. Absolute no accountability.
Rowers never came to school on the Monday after SA Champs so therefore were absent from rugby training. There is no rugby ethos. That is because it’s not pushed by the staff.
I don’t work for Selborne, I don’t need the Headmaster to help me with my teaching career. (Alan and Phiwe). I therefore am not indebted to him.
They were forced to accept the actions and decisions of the Headmaster.
You would be aware that associating my name with a rugby program can be beneficial or detrimental to my own career.
I feel that I cannot deliver on the expectations with all the continuous obstacles I face along the way. I therefore say it again. I will no longer be involved with Selborne Rugby. Thanks so much for your support.
I wish you all the best.
Cheers Jake
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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Jake White has left his role as a rugby consultant for Selborne College in East London, citing a lack of support from the headmaster.
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