Alex Gitlin of Reddam House clinches gold at Western Cape Masters hockey tournament

Reddam House Constantia’s executive head, Alex Gitlin, has shown that excellence in sport can fuel excellence in education after winning gold at the Western Cape Masters inter-provincial hockey tournament.

Mr Gitlin led the Western Cape side to an unbeaten run of five consecutive victories at the national tournament held in August.

He described the final as “more challenging than expected,” but said the team’s success came down to hard work, adaptability, and cohesion.

“This gold medal is more than just a personal milestone,” he said.

“It reflects my belief that sport and leadership go hand in hand, and that personal excellence outside the classroom enriches one’s impact inside it.”

As well as leading the school, Mr Gitlin coaches Reddam’s first team boys’ hockey and has been instrumental in developing the school into a premier league sporting institution.

“Playing hockey is my space, where I can be removed from other responsibilities; a space that challenges me to stay fit and present. It also allows me to model what I ask of my students: to show up, stay prepared, and keep learning.”

When asked what his younger self back in the UK would make of his achievement, Mr Gitlin said he would be “slightly surprised” and curious about how the journey unfolded.

He added that one of his proudest lessons, both as a player and as a coach, was seeing how “our best follows a consistent attention to living with passion and a plan.”

Reflecting on the tournament, he said his team had always believed they could win: “We started with a belief in our team play – that we could win – which was then realised by attending to our plan game by game. This didn’t necessarily make it easy, but it did give us confidence in ourselves and how we work together.”

Mr Gitlin admitted his students aren’t “gushing with admiration” when they see their Head competing at provincial level, but he believes his actions give credibility to his message.

“I don’t ask others to do what I am not doing,” he said.

“And it gives them some extra belief too – ‘if that old man is doing that to this effect, imagine what could transpire if I or we do.’”

Balancing school leadership with sport, he said, is possible if one chooses to make space for it.

“I love chasing goals. Sport is an area in which I can find challenge, and a space in which I can find relaxation and friendships too. There is always space to do things, if we choose to do them.”

Originally from the UK, Mr Gitlin studied at the Universities of Nottingham and Cambridge before beginning his teaching career. After relocating to South Africa, he took on senior leadership roles in Johannesburg and White River before joining Reddam House Constantia.

He credits his sporting background in rugby, hockey and athletics with shaping his team-based approach to leadership.

At Reddam, his sporting philosophy has paid off.

In 2020 he launched a five-year plan for the first team boys’ hockey side, aimed at returning to the premier league, building a lasting sporting culture, earning community respect, and creating “young men of character through sport.”

The 2025 season brought those goals to life, with 11 matriculants in the team who had played together since Grade 8.

“I have the privilege of leading a group of young men that I look forward to being led by as they assume their own future leadership roles,” he said.

The school now fields Premier League teams across all codes.

Mr Gitlin believes sport is a vital part of that success: “Sport is a pillar of our philosophy because it builds physiological robustness, psychological wellness, academic performance and social connections. It also develops spatial awareness, which helps us achieve critical thinking.”

He added: “My proudest moments as a coach aren’t the wins – they’re seeing the players grow into the kind of leaders South Africa needs to solve its problems.”

Looking ahead, Mr Gitlin’s vision for Reddam House sport is to keep growing participation, maintain competitive excellence, and instil lifelong habits of wellness, friendship and character.

His advice to students and colleagues is simple: “Get involved, stay involved, and help build something of value. What the school is and will become, and who we are and will become, is a result of our daily action.”