Gloucester Rugby is delighted to announce the signing of South African schoolboy hooker, Gareth Blackmore, who will join the Gloucester Rugby Academy in January.
Blackmore was born in Richard’s Bay near Durban, South Africa, before moving down to Cape Town in 2013. He broke into Rondebosch 1st XV a year early as a hooker, though the dynamic and physical Blackmore is also capable of playing in the back row.
Last year Blackmore captained the Rondebosch Boys’ High School first XV in a season in which they excelled, breaking numerous school 1st XV records. He was subsequently selected for Western Province Schools in South Africa’s provincial tournament, The Craven Week, which Western Province Schools won.
Director of Academy & Development Carl Hogg commented:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have signed Gareth Blackmore in a ground-breaking move. Gareth is a very highly rated young South African player, who has attracted attention from several provincial sides, but with his grandparents born in the UK he has chosen to pursue his professional rugby career here at Gloucester Rugby.
“Gloucester Rugby have linked up with Hartpury University to provide the ideal opportunity for Gareth to benefit from a Premiership training environment but also enable him to study and play in the competitive BUC’s Super Rugby programme.
“We believe that individuals should develop as people as well as players, therefore, this relationship with Hartpury provides the perfect balance of education and professional development.
“We look forward to welcoming Gareth to Kingsholm at the start of the New Year.”
