Fettes appoint Steve Bates as Director of Sport

Posted on Jan 14, 2011 in Rugby News

Fettes College have announced they have appointed former England rugby International Steve Bates as Director of Sport for Fettes College and the Fettes College Prep School.

In this newly created role, Steve will oversee all of the sporting activities at Fettes, develop and adapt current practices, promote our achievements and continue to nurture the talent of our young sportsmen and women.

Steve’s wealth of experience in rugby will of course be a huge asset in terms of the coaching of rugby at Fettes but Steve is equally passionate about the development of all the other sports on offer at the College for boys and girls. His enviable list of contacts within the sporting world will prove invaluable too.

Steve, who will join in September 2011, will be supported by the existing Sports Staff and coaches at Fettes whose dedication and hard work have already ensured Fettes is known for its sporting excellence – strong foundations for Steve to build upon.

“We are delighted that Steve Bates will be joining the staff at Fettes College and I know that he will be an incredible asset to the school. His experience as an educator and coach and his wealth of knowledge about competitive sport will augment and focus the development of Sport at Fettes.” – MCB Spens Headmaster, Fettes College

England captain Alex expands horizons with Canterbury pilgrimage

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

One of England’s brightest back row talents has been working alongside Richie McCaw to develop his game during a three-month spell in New Zealand.

Athletic number eight Alex Gray has returned to Newcastle Falcons after three months with Canterbury and heads for a warm weather training camp in Portugal tomorrow with Mark Mapletoft’s England Under 20 squad.

Gray made his debut in England’s Under 18 side as a 16-year-old before leading them through two unbeaten campaigns that culminated in a thumping 45-13 victory over South Africa in Kimberley in August.

Instead of returning to the North East and straight into full-time rugby with the Falcons, the Newcastle-born teenager opted for a spell in Christchurch, playing for Canterbury’s unbeaten Under 20 side – prompting comparisons with the way current England boss Martin Johnson did so with King Country before launching his own international career.

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Falcons make one change for Saints’ visit

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons have made just one change to their side for Friday night’s Guinness Premiership visit of Northampton Saints to Kingston Park (kick-off 8pm).

Following on from Sunday’s 15-11 win at high-flying London Irish director of rugby Steve Bates has chosen to stick with the bulk of that side, the only change coming on the wing as Tom Biggs replaces fellow Yorkshireman Danny Williams.

Speaking ahead of the game, Bates said: “Last weekend was a fantastic result down at London Irish, on the back of a lot of hard work.

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Feelgood factor takes hold at Falcons

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

The feelgood factor has taken hold again in Newcastle, with the high-flying Falcons making significant gains on all fronts.

Sunday’s 15-11 Guinness Premiership victory at hot favourites London Irish made it three league wins on the bounce for Steve Bates’ side, with the biggest home attendance of the season so far expected at Friday night’s visit of Northampton Saints.

Strong pre-sales indicate that the Falcons are well-placed to build on their top-half-of-the-league position and beat the attendance figure of 5,714, which witnessed a 17-17 draw with Harlequins at Kingston Park back in September.

The good news just keeps on coming for the club with all but the very last few remaining 700 corporate places already sold for Friday night’s encounter, as interest in North-East rugby continues to hot up.

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Falcons make 12 changes for LV= cup

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons have freshened up their squad for Saturday’s LV= Cup trip to Worcester, making 12 changes from the side which beat the Warriors at Kingston Park last weekend.

Left wing Uche Oduoza makes his Newcastle debut against his former club, with the England Sevens international having racked up the tries for the Falcons Development Team following his summer move from Japan.

Cumbrian Mark Wilson makes his debut on the openside flank, with the 20-year-old’s form for Blaydon and the Newcastle second-string earning him a call-up to the senior side.

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