England Rugby legend Dan Cole joins Gresham’s School

Gresham’s, a leading independent boarding and day school in North Norfolk, has announced that rugby legend Dan Cole will join the school from September 2026

He will work alongside For The Love Of Rugby co-host, Ben Youngs, who is the Head of Performance Sport at the school. Bringing a wealth of elite sporting experience, both Cole and Youngs share a strong commitment to developing the next generation of sportsmen and women.

Dan Cole has enjoyed an outstanding rugby career spanning more than 18 years. The tight head 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. He is known for his dedication and consistency in the scrum and is widely regarded as one of the most reliable tighthead props of his generation.

In his new role, Cole will support Youngs in nurturing high-performance athletes across a range of disciplines, as well as strengthening the school’s recruitment of emerging talent. He will play an important role in the school’s 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 their2skills, confidence and mindset, and ultimately achieve their full potential, is something I’m very passionate about.'

Cole’s appointment is a significant milestone for Gresham’s as it nurtures a culture of excellence, discipline and sportsmanship. With his expertise, the school promises to provide its pupils with unparalleled opportunities to succeed.

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.'

To kick off the new appointment, Gresham’s will host a series of rugby masterclasses led by Cole and Youngs. These sessions will take place over the summer and autumn and will be open to children in Years 7, 8, 10 and 11.

To find out more, please visit Gresham’s website.

June 2026