From Strength to Strength: Reed's Announces Game-Changing Director of Sport

There are some exciting changes afoot at Reed’s in our Sports department that we are thrilled to be able to announce. As of September 2023, Andy Watts will be joining the School as our new Director of Sport. Having been Director of Sport at two schools previously he comes with a wealth of experience to drive our sports programme forward.

Andy's passion for sport began at an early age, playing a wide variety of sports. He progressed to playing hockey for England A, junior county cricket for Berkshire and featured in the 1^st XV for rugby at school. After studying Business Studies with Sport Science at university he entered teaching at Marlborough College before moving to Magdalen College School, Oxford, becoming Director of Sport. A move to Surrey to Kingston Grammar School in the same role cemented his experience.

Notably, Andy was a premier league hockey player and coach for over 15 years at Reading Hockey Club during which time they became national league champions on multiple occasions and won the European Cup. Andy also made valuable contributions to Wimbledon Hockey Club where he coached the Women’s 2^nd XI in the National League, as well as managing their Talent Academy for 15-to 18-year-old boys and girls during its inaugural year. Additionally, he served as a player and coach at Oxford Hawks Hockey Club where they achieved promotion twice during his time at the club.

Andy will take a particular interest in ensuring the continued growth and development of our respected hockey programme, as well as fully immersing himself across a wide range of sports. He’ll be supported by Mike Williamson as Hockey Professional; an exceptional coach who already has extensive experience at Reed's – having coached the boys’ 1^st XI for the past 5 years and being central to all the national title winning teams we had during that period. Mike played hockey for Wales for 15 years and then became their Head Coach for 6 years; he is currently coaching their U18 boys’ team. Megan Crowson will also be joining as an Assistant Hockey Professional; she is a former GB Hockey U23 captain and a qualified coach with extensive experience of coaching girls’ hockey in independent schools. Complementing this expertise will be our many dedicated and experienced members of staff across the School, a considerable number of whom possess a background in hockey, who provide additional coaching support.

Andy Watts, expressing his genuine excitement upon joining Reed's School, remarked "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Reed's and I'm eager to make meaningful contributions to its ongoing success, enhance the breadth of sports already offered, and foster increased participation across all year groups, particularly through the Sixth Form, in the years ahead. Reed’s has a well-deserved national reputation for an outstanding sports programme, as evidenced by their remarkable achievement of winning the TES Award for Sport in 2020. This award acknowledges the school’s exceptional participation rates, which currently stand at an impressive 82% across all year groups. I also hope to help to actively support the Heads of Sport to continue to produce teams and individuals who compete at the highest level.”