We are excited to announce that England rugby legend Dan Cole will join Gresham’s in September 2026. He will work alongside For The Love Of Rugby co-host, Ben Youngs, who is our Head of Performance Sport. Bringing a wealth of elite sporting experience, both Cole and Youngs share a strong commitment to developing the next generation of athletes.

Dan Cole has enjoyed an outstanding rugby career spanning more than 18 years. The tighthead prop made over 340 appearances for Leicester Tigers, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the club. He is England’s second most capped men’s player, representing his country 118 times. During his international career, Cole helped England secure three Six Nations Championship titles, competed in four Rugby World Cups and represented the British and Irish Lions on two tours. Known for his scrum consistency, he is widely regarded as one of the most reliable tighthead props of his generation.

In his new role, Cole will support Youngs in nurturing our high-performance athletes across a range of disciplines. He will also strengthen our recruitment of emerging talent. Cole will play an important role in our Talented Athlete Development (TAD) programme, providing additional support to talented pupils through technical coaching, strength and conditioning sessions, and workshops in topics like nutrition and psychology.

Commenting on his appointment, Dan Cole said:

“I’m delighted to be joining Gresham’s and helping to strengthen its sport offering while attracting talented individuals. The opportunity to work alongside Ben and help young athletes develop their skills, confidence and mindset, and ultimately achieve their full potential, is something I’m very passionate about.”

James Knight, Director of Sport at Gresham’s, added:

“It is incredibly exciting to welcome Dan to Gresham’s. His outstanding achievements in rugby, combined with his dedication and expertise, will make a significant contribution to our sporting programmes. His passion and understanding of elite sport will inspire our pupils and help foster a lifelong love of sport in the next generation of athletes.”

We’re delighted to welcome Dan to Gresham’s. His appointment reflects our commitment to a culture of excellence, discipline and sportsmanship, giving our pupils every opportunity to thrive.