We are delighted to announce that our Director of Sport, Ian McGowan, has been appointed as East Midlands Regional U15 Head Coach for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Foundation, one of cricket’s most respected and competitive development pathways.
This position complements his full‑time role at Bedford School, strengthening both his professional practice and the school’s cricketing expertise.
For Mr McGowan, who has devoted much of his career to nurturing young cricketers, the appointment represents both a proud milestone and an energising refocus on the sport following his previous post as Director of Cricket at Merchant Taylors’ School.
“Honestly, I was chuffed,” he shares. “A large part of my last 15 years has been involved in cricket and when this opportunity came up, I saw it as a fantastic chance to test my coaching and leadership and step into a new challenge.”
A role with purpose
The MCC Foundation mission is to widen access to high‑quality coaching for young people who may otherwise be unable to access it, something which resonates strongly with Mr McGowan.
Working with talented young cricketers from a variety of backgrounds, he says, is “exciting and the idea of removing barriers to a game that has given me so much makes the role especially meaningful”.
“Talent presents itself in different ways and at different times,” he notes. “Working regionally will give me the opportunity to look widely. I’m looking forward to building new connections with coaches across clubs and schools, and I hope I can bring back the most current and progressive coaching methods to boys here.”
He describes it as “a privilege to play a leading role in identifying, developing and inspiring players”, and sees the programme as part of a nationwide initiative built on high expectations and genuine opportunity. Its aim, he emphasises, is to “remove barriers without lowering standards,” ensuring that “all players feel valued, supported and challenged equally”.
Raising the profile of cricket at Bedford School
Bedford School already enjoys a strong reputation for cricket, but Mr McGowan believes this role can help elevate the programme even further.
“Our profile is already high, largely due to the work of the coaching staff here at Bedford and the interest among our boys,” he says. “I hope this role demonstrates that our programme and staff are trusted and respected beyond the school setting. In time, it should strengthen our reputation for quality coaching and player development.”
Importantly, the appointment also reinforces Bedford School’s long‑standing commitment to contributing positively to the wider cricketing community.
As Mr McGowan begins this role, his enthusiasm for the game and his dedication to developing young players is evident. His appointment reflects both his personal expertise and Bedford School’s position as a centre of sporting excellence. His involvement promises to enrich the MCC Foundation programme while delivering fresh insight and inspiration to cricket at Bedford School.
“It’s the unknown that excites me,” he says. “This is an opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much.”
