As a school, we have worked closely with both Northampton Saints and Bedford Blues for many years, and it is thanks to these strong links that we have welcomed into school a number of professional players over the years to coach our rugby boys.
On Thursday 12 October, there was much excitement as we welcomed Old Bedfordian, England and Northampton Saints player Fraser Dingwall (13-17) into school to deliver some specialist training for our entire 1st and 2nd XV squads.
Fraser, who had a rare day off from training at Northampton Saints, started with a position-specific session, where he delivered a kicking and passing clinic with the fly halves and centres of all year groups in the Upper School. He then focussed on a backs session and ran several brilliant skills and games activities that focussed on catching and passing, and decision-making in attack and counterattack. The boys then had a question and answer session with him at the end of training.
The session was organised by Mr Hind who attended school with Fraser, both being part of the Champion’s Trophy winning 1st XV in 2016.
Mr James Hinkins, Director of Rugby, commented, “Fraser’s general demeanour and approach to professional sport is truly inspirational and you can certainly see the connection he still has with the school. We wish him the very best of luck as he captains the Northampton Saints for their first Premiership game of the season away to Sale Sharks on Saturday.”
