It has been an exciting half term break for Upper Sixth Formers Jonny Weimann and Ben Agbenu, who were among a select few young rugby players invited to join the England U18 Development Camp.
Jonny and Ben join a long list of Old Bedfordians, who thanks to the school and its partnership with the Northampton Saints, have taken their game to the next level. Most recently these include Jamie Elliott (03-10), Fraser Dingwall (13-17), George Furbank (13-15) and Kayde Sylvester (18-20), all of whom signed with Northampton Saints on leaving school, with George earning caps for England and both Fraser and Jamie representing England U20s.
The camp, which took place at Bisham Abbey between 26 and 28 October, saw 40 of the best schoolboy players in the country put through their paces, giving them the tools, both on and off the pitch, to progress to the next level of rugby.
Jonny, who has been playing rugby since he was four years old, explained, “The camp was a much higher intensity than I am used to, and it was more professional regarding the recovery and the meetings.”
Jonny Weimann
Ben, who said he “felt honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to train and be a part of a more professional set-up at international level”, also enjoyed the camp immensely. He said, “It was a step up from anything I had ever experienced (until I trained with the senior team at Northampton) due to the skills on show, physicality and speed. I learned that the team is all about moving the ball and creating 1v1s. This allows players like me to beat defenders and simply go forwards.”
Ben Agbenu
Both boys are aiming to get signed up to play for Northampton Saints after Sixth Form, however, both are looking to continue their studies alongside a professional rugby career. Of course, the ultimate goal is to one day get a cap for England.
Upper Sixth Former, and Head of School, Aiden Ainsworth-Cave has also been a part of England this year but missed this camp as he is currently injured.