WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT MILL HILL?
I came to Mill Hill via Saracens and have a joint role that works with the School and the Club. My aim is to develop rugby in the School from the bottom up and to support those players who join at Sixth Form as part of the Saracens Partnership.

First and foremost, we want boys to immerse themselves in everything Mill Hill has to offer, adding value to themselves and the School.
Mill Hill runs 147 clubs and societies so there really is something for everyone. On the rugby pitch, our aim is to maximise their talents and see how far they can go. For some of them, it will be county rugby, or playing for the Old Millhillians Rugby Club. For some it might mean going to a super league university or gaining a professional contract, as two boys have done this year.

WHAT DO BURSARIES MEAN TO YOU?
Bursaries play a hugely important role in giving access to boys of all backgrounds to what we offer at Mill Hill. I am more than passionate about the bursary system because at their age, I was in their position. I come from a single parent, low income family. I was going to a local state school and was fortunate to have the opportunity, through a bursary, to go to a school that prioritised rugby.

The bursary system enabled me to do something that I discovered I loved doing and had a talent for. If it wasn’t for the bursary system, I would have left school at 16 to work in a local factory. I was lucky that at the time I went to university, the game turned professional so I was able to play rugby as a career and now teach.

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR YOUR PUPILS?
The most satisfying thing for me, whether or not the partnership boys are bursary recipients, is seeing their togetherness as a group and
their contribution to school life, as Senior Monitors, Heads of House or Prefects, speaking at Foundation Day or at other school events. I
love seeing the pupils flourish as role models and ambassadors of the school.

We are looking forward to seeing similar opportunities opening up to girls through London Mavericks netball. In the future, my hope is that the pupils coming through will feel the same way I do and will find a way to give back too.’

If you would like to hear more about our bursary programme, email Director of Development lucia.hull@mhsfoundation.uk.