In recent months, we have been thrilled to announce two formal collaborations with elite sports clubs in the region. Whilst we had already built strong links with both Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and Northampton Saints Rugby Club, with many OBs signed by each, these official agreements bring with them additional benefits to further enhance our cricket and rugby programmes.
The new partnership with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club (NCCC) aims to foster cricket excellence in young cricketers across the school and county. The collaboration formally brings together two esteemed institutions with a shared passion for the sport and, in doing so, will help promising young cricketers on their path to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club’s youth and academy teams. This strategic alignment aims to nurture talent and create a seamless transition for aspiring players.
The agreement will see our elite cricketers receive high-performance training; our existing cricket programme will be enhanced with NCCC’s expertise, giving coaches and players access to specialised training sessions, skill development programmes, and first-class facilities. Boys will also get the opportunity to meet the players at the NCCC ground and even take part in some of their training sessions. 
In return, our picturesque grounds and superb facilities, such as the indoor and outdoor cricket nets and school gym, will be used by NCCC’s age-group cricket programme, benefitting young cricketers from across the county.
We already have strong links with the current NCCC team – Old Bedfordians Emilio Gay (11-18) and Gus Miller (15-20) have both worked with the boys on their game. For example, Emilio Gay recently made a ‘good luck for the season’ Instagram reel for the Bedford School boys.
James Hodgson, Head Master, commented, “We’re delighted to officially join forces with NCCC. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to holistic education and sporting excellence and together we will inspire the next generation of cricketers.”
We are proud to be known as one of the leading cricket schools in the country, with famous cricketing Old Bedfordians such as Sir Alastair Cook (98-03) who leads the long list of boys who have gone on to play the game professionally. The former England captain retired from the professional game in October 2023, reaching 12,472 test match runs and leaving him 5th in the all-time rankings for test match run scorers. Other recent OBs include Alex Wakely, James Kettleborough, Charlie Thurston and Harry Gouldstone.
Moving to the rugby pitches, Bedford School is now an Elite Community Partner School with Northampton Saints Rugby Club. This exciting new sports collaboration is set to significantly enhance our school rugby programme, bringing a wealth of expertise and opportunities to our boys, fostering their development both on and off the field.
Key Highlights of the Elite Community Partnership
As part of the agreement, Northampton Saints will provide coaching support services throughout the academic year, ensuring boys receive first-class training and guidance from experienced professionals. Specifically, we will have reserved access to three Community Rugby Coaches from the club, who will lead weekly staff training sessions aimed at also enhancing the quality of rugby training delivered by the school’s coaches.
Community Rugby Camps
Each year, Northampton Saints will hold a community rugby camp at Bedford School, offering an immersive experience for boys to develop their skills and passion for the sport.
Visits from Senior Players
Northampton Saints senior players will visit the school, providing boys with the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from professional athletes.
Free Entry to Rugby 7s Series
Bedford School boys will receive free entry to the Northampton Saints 7s Series for 2025, offering them a chance to watch high-level rugby and gain inspiration.
Tickets to Home Fixtures
The school will receive four tickets to each Northampton Saints home fixture (excluding Leicester Tigers, Christmas and knock-out fixtures) and six tickets to each Loughborough Lightning home fixture at the Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. These tickets will be used at the discretion of the school for members of the school community.
Discounted Rates
Discounted rates to all Northampton Saints home fixtures will be available for Bedford School staff and boys via a discount code.
This expertise and support from Northampton Saints will inspire and elevate our rugby programme, helping boys to achieve their full potential.
Mr Ayden Duffy, Assistant Head (Co-Curriculum and Partnerships) explained, “We are incredibly excited about this collaboration with Northampton Saints Rugby Club. The opportunities it presents for our boys are unparalleled, and we are confident that this will not only enhance their rugby skills but also instil values of teamwork, discipline and perseverance. We look forward to seeing them thrive both on and off the field.”
These two new sporting collaborations mark significant steps forward in our commitment to provide exceptional sporting opportunities for our boys here at Bedford School.
