Robert Gordon’s College is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr Tim Boniface as head of hockey and Miss Leanne MacIver as head of netball, reinforcing the college’s strategic commitment to delivering a high-quality, inclusive 3-18 sports programme.
Mr Boniface joins Robert Gordon’s College from The Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Kent, bringing significant experience coaching hockey at junior and senior levels. A passionate advocate for early-stage player development and high-performance sport, he has worked extensively with youth and advanced athletes, fostering inclusive pathways that promote excellence and long-term engagement.
In addition to his school role, Mr Boniface serves as Assistant Coach and Performance Analyst with Scottish Hockey for the Scotland U18 Boys’ National Team, competing at the top level of junior international hockey. He brings expertise in game analysis and a proven ability to cultivate partnerships with external clubs to optimise player development and performance.
Originally from Australia, Mr Boniface holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Management, majoring in Sustainable Development, from the University of Queensland. A qualified ECB Level 2 cricket coach, he successfully introduced a girls’ cricket programme during his time in Kent. His coaching philosophy centres on developing a lifelong love of sport, promoting teamwork, and encouraging continuous personal growth.
Mr Boniface shared: "I am excited to lead the hockey programme at Robert Gordon’s College and contribute to a culture that champions both excellence and inclusivity. I am well aware of the strong history that hockey has at RGC. I hope to not only uphold this but make a positive contribution. I look forward to bringing my experience and energy to shape a programme that nurtures personal growth, teamwork, and a lifelong love of sport, ensuring pupils feel supported and inspired to reach their full potential both on and off the field."
This session also saw Miss MacIver bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role as Head of Netball. With a track record of coaching success and player development, she is committed to nurturing talent and encouraging participation in netball across all age groups, from junior pupils to senior competitive teams. Her coaching philosophy centres on building confidence, developing teamwork, and instilling a lifelong love for netball.
Miss MacIver holds a BASc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Aberdeen, where she demonstrated her leadership and commitment to sport as President of the Aberdeen University Netball Club and Captain of the University’s 1st Netball Team. She has continued to build on her passion for sport through regional and national leadership roles. Miss MacIver currently serves as an assistant coach for Netball Scotland’s U19 squad, as an Aberdeen U17 District coach, and as a Netball Scotland Ambassador, advocating for the sport’s growth by supporting national initiatives to increase participation across the country.
In addition to her netball credentials, Miss MacIver is an experienced basketball and hockey coach, and currently serves as District Team Manager for Scottish Hockey - a role that reflects her coaching expertise and strong commitment to youth sport development.
Miss MacIver said: “I’m passionate about growing the netball programme at RGC and excited to bring my experience to extend its reach. It’s exciting to see interest from boys as well as girls getting involved in netball, which is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK. My goal is to increase participation and performance by creating a positive, inclusive environment where players of all ages can develop skills, confidence, and a love for the sport. Netball teaches valuable lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship that extend beyond the court, and I look forward to supporting every pupil’s growth, both on and off the court.”
Both Mr Boniface and Miss MacIver each bring a wealth of coaching experience and a deep passion for their respective sports. In their new roles, they will lead the development of structured, progressive pathways in hockey and netball that support pupils at every stage, from early exposure in younger years through to advanced training and high-level senior competition. Their appointments mark an exciting chapter in the growth of RGC Sport, reinforcing the College’s vision of fostering a vibrant sporting culture built on opportunity, ambition, and lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.
Mr McLeod, Director of Sport, highlighted: “The appointments of Tim Boniface and Leanne MacIver represent a significant step forward for RGC Sport, enhancing our 3-18 pathway and expanding access to high-quality coaching and competition in hockey and netball. Their expertise strengthens our sports team and reflects the College’s commitment to building a progressive sporting culture where every pupil is supported to be all they can be, whether striving for excellence or developing a lifelong passion for sport and physical activity.”