Rugby Match Day Arrangements FOR VISITING TEAMS
Welcome from Bedford School
It is a real pleasure to welcome all boys, teachers and supporting parents to Bedford School for today’s fixtures.
Rugby has long been woven into the fabric of Bedford School life. Since the late 19th century, generations of boys have pulled on their boots and taken to the field with pride, passion and a deep respect for the game.
Fixtures are about enjoyment first and foremost. I am sure we will see some magnificent rugby on display, but the important thing is that we see the boys enjoy themselves and learn and, indeed, demonstrate true sportsmanship, teamwork and integrity.
I wish all the teams the very best of luck.
James Hodgson Head Master Bedford School
Ian McGowan, Director of Sport
and a warm welcome from our Director of Sport
Welcome to Bedford School on the best day of the weekMatch Day!
Sport is at the heart of life here at Bedford, and both our boys and staff eagerly anticipate Saturdays. Our goal is for every pupil to leave Bedford School with a smile, having created lasting, positive memories inspired by their sporting experiences with us.
Whether you are a player, coach, official or supporter, thank you for being part of today’s fixture and for helping us achieve our aim of providing enjoyable and rewarding experiences for every boy. We hope you have a fantastic day!
A Message from Fraser Dingwall
Good luck to all the boys taking part in fixtures at Bedford School.
I hope it is a thoroughly enjoyable day and that some great rugby is played. Good luck all!
Fraser Dingwall
Northampton Saints Captain England
Old Bedfordian (13-17)
OBs Fraser Dingwall (13-17) and George Furbank (13-15)
Spectators
At Bedford School, we warmly welcome all spectators to our sporting events and are grateful for the enthusiasm and encouragement you bring. As role models for our pupils, we kindly ask that you support the spirit of school sport by promoting enjoyment, fair play and respect for all involved. Please cheer positively, respect the decisions of officials and coaches, and help foster an environment where effort, teamwork and sportsmanship are celebrated just as much as results.
Please note that dogs are not permitted on site. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Refreshments
Boys’ match teas and parents’ refreshments will be available in the Dining Hall after teams finish their game.
Hospitality Managers, Kelly Hirst and Sharon Drozdin
Medical Cover
The safety and care of all players and visitors to Bedford School is of the highest importance to us. The Health & Wellbeing Centre is staffed on match days by two nurses, with additional support from our private ambulance providers. The school also has access to its own doctor, who can be called upon by the nursing team if needed.
All sports staff are trained in emergency first aid. Spotters wearing high-visibility jackets are stationed on the main field and equipped with radios to communicate with nursing and ambulance staff, ensuring incidents are triaged effectively.
The 2nd Team Pavilion serves as a “walking wounded” first aid post, staffed by an emergency care assistant and a member of school staff.
We ask that all visiting teams ensure players bring any necessary medical equipment, such as inhalers (e.g., Ventolin) and auto adrenaline injectors (e.g., EpiPens).
If a player is injured while at Bedford School, the nursing team will contact the relevant party via phone, email or written letter detailing the injury, care provided and any recommended follow-up.
Bedford School is equipped with defibrillators, emergency inhalers and EpiPens (please see map overleaf for locations), alongside numerous first aid stations and boxes. Sports staff also carry orange first aid bags pitch-side during fixtures.
The Health & Wellbeing Centre is located adjacent to the car park leading to the Langham Pavilion (second building on the left as you enter the car park). Please follow the signs or ask the Security Team or any Bedford School staff member for directions.
Nearest Accident & Emergency Department
Bedford Hospital
Ampthill Road, MK42 9DJ
Tel: 01234 355122
Distance: 1.2 miles from Bedford School
Health & Wellbeing Centre
Contact Tel: 01234 362261
Email: nurse@bedfordschool.org.uk
School nurses, Mrs Clifton, Mrs Turner-Webb & Ms Collins
Phillpotts
Rifle
CCF
Dining
Main
Fives
Quarry
Sports
Lower
& Rowing
Swimming
Golf
Erskine
Eagle
Burnaby
Talbot’s
Defibrillator Locations
Health & Wellbeing Centre (Entrance)
On Site Ambulance and Response Car
Bell Room Reception (Outside Monitors Room)
Dining Hall (Entrance Corridor)
Recreation Centre (Entrance)
Erskine May Hall (Prep School)
Gordon Field Pavilion
All Boarding Houses
The Quarry Theatre (Box Office)
The Boat House (Ground Floor)
Epipen Locations
Health & Wellbeing Centre (Entrance)
On Site Ambulance and Response Car
Langham Pavilion (Upstairs in the Kitchen)
Bell Room Reception (Outside Monitors Room)
Dining Hall (Entrance Corridor)
Erskine May Hall (Prep School)
Gordon Field Pavilion
All Boarding Houses
The Quarry Theatre (Box Office)
The Boat House (Ground Floor)
Inhaler Locations
All Orange First Aid Bags
Health & Wellbeing Centre (Entrance)
On Site Ambulance and Response Car
Langham Pavilion (Upstairs in the Kitchen)
Bell Room Reception
Dining Hall (Entrance Corridor)
Erskine May Hall (Prep School)
Gordon Field Pavilion
All Boarding Houses
The Quarry Theatre (Box Office)
The Boat House (Ground Floor)
Parking
y Minibuses and coaches should report to the security hut on Burnaby Road (off De Parys Avenue) on arrival to be directed to a suitable parking space. The sat nav postcode is MK40 2TT.
y Parents are welcome to park in the main school car park although spaces are limited. Once the car park becomes full, parents can park in any of the side roads shown in blue on the map which are all free-to-park roads.
Safeguarding
All staff at Bedford School receive annual safeguarding training and are required to read and confirm understanding of the School’s safeguarding policy and Part One of KCSIE. We are committed to implementing good safeguarding practice and recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
If you have a safeguarding issue whilst on site, please speak to a member of Bedford School staff or contact Rachel Mellor, Deputy Head, Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead on 01234 362308 or 07734 859798 or via email at rachelmellor@bedfordschool.org.uk .
Useful Contacts
Ian McGowan Director of Sport
IMcGowan@bedfordschool.org.uk
Shawn Phillips
Assistant Director of Sport (Prep School)
SPhillips@bedfordschool.org.uk
Ross Stewart
Rugby Professional
RStewart@bedfordschool.org.uk
Barry Burgess
Assistant Director of Sport (Upper School)
BBurgess@bedfordschool.org.uk
James Hinkins
Director of Rugby
JHinkins@bedfordschool.org.uk
A Proud Rugby Heritage
Bedford School rugby boasts a rich and impressive history dating back to 1870. Today, the sport remains immensely popular and with first-class facilities, expert coaching and a comprehensive year-round programme, boys continue to achieve remarkable success and develop a lifelong passion for the game.
“Whatever their achievements in other pursuits, the chief pride and glory of Bedfordians lies in their rugby.”
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (1934)
Partnership with Northampton Saints
Bedford boys receive first-class training and guidance from experienced professionals and visits from senior Northampton Saints players, offering unique chances to interact with and learn from professional athletes. Community Rugby Coaches from Saints also conduct weekly staff training sessions, enhancing the quality of rugby coaching at the school.
Several boys join the Saints’ pathway programme each year, with many progressing to sign full-time contracts. OBs George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall, Jonny Weimann and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave are all part of the current Saints’ squad.
Year-Round Rugby Programme
Our year-round rugby programme, led by highly qualified experienced coaches, ensures that each boy receives the necessary training to enjoy the game and develop individually and as a team player.
Autumn Term: Main rugby term
Spring Term: Sevens rugby
Summer Term: Skills and game development and pre-season training
On-pitch training is supported by strength and conditioning programmes, allowing boys to continuously develop as athletes.
A Wealth of Expertise
The full-time staff includes the Director of Rugby, James Hinkins (former Bedford Blues player), and Deputy Director of Sport, Barry Burgess (Former Northampton Saints player). External coaches further enhance the coaching provision for boys in the autumn and spring terms. The coaches, many from Bedford Blues and Northampton Saints, all have professional playing backgrounds, ideally suited to developing all players in an ever-evolving game.
First-Class Facilities
The school playing field is home to eight rugby pitches, with a further pitch at the Gordon Field. The 1st XV pitch has an enviable position and the stunning backdrop of the school’s iconic main building. The school’s first-class facilities are sought after, with Northampton Saints Academy and Community sections hosting training camps during holidays. The Bedford Blues senior squad also use our facilities during their summer pre-season schedule.
Fixtures and Tours
Bedford has an incredibly strong and competitive fixture list, including Radley College, Rugby School, Dulwich College, Warwick School and Eton College. The Dulwich fixture is the longest-running schoolboy fixture in the world and is always a wonderful occasion.
The Rugby Club embarks on a major tour every three years and has visited Canada, Australia and South Africa in recent years.
International OBs Through the Years
Budge Rogers OBE (49-57)
Flanker Budge Rogers earned 34 caps for England from 1961-1969, captained the team seven times, toured South Africa with the British Lions and played 24 times for the Barbarians. He was also the first English player honoured by the Queen for services to rugby.
Martin Bayfield (80-85)
A second-row forward for Northampton Saints and the Bedford Blues, Martin Bayfield earned 31 caps for England and played for the British & Irish Lions. Post-rugby, he worked as a presenter for BT Sport and ITV, and famously doubled as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
Andy Gomarsall MBE (OB 88-93)
World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall amassed 200 English premiership appearances, scoring 15 tries. Capped 35 times for England, Andrew took part in three Rugby World Cup campaigns. He is a proud member of the England 2003 Rugby World Cup winning squad and the England 2007 Rugby World Cup Finalists squad.
George Furbank (OB 13-15)
Fullback George Furbank broke into the Northampton Saints senior side during the 2018/19 season and was called up for England in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, making his Test debut in Paris against France. Now Saints’ Club Captain, George has earned 14 international caps, scoring three tries so far.
Fraser Dingwall (OB 13-17)
Former Head of School and 1st XV Captain Fraser Dingwall scored his first international try against Wales in the Six Nations in 2024. He was a pivotal member of Northampton Saints’ Premiership-winning campaign in 2023/24 and captained the team in the Champions Cup Final in 2024/25.
...and some future stars
Jonny Weimann (18-24) and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (15-24) both signed professional contracts with Northampton Saints Senior Academy while still at school. Jonny and Aiden were part of the England squad who travelled to Italy for the U20 Rugby World Cup in summer 2025 and both hope to play their part in the Gallagher PREM this season.
