Bates boost for Fettes' sports drive

STEVE BATES hopes to pass on the experience gained from his time spent in the professional ranks to the youngsters at Fettes College after he was named Director of Sport at the Capital school.

The former England rugby international, who has coached the Border Reivers and Newcastle Falcons in recent seasons, will oversee all sporting activity at the school as they aim to produce more top-quality performers in the years to come.

He said: "I am really looking forward to working with the committed staff at the school and what I can bring is the experience I have picked up over the years in professional sport and integrate that with what is already going on here at the moment."

Fettes headmaster Michael Spens has known Bates for many years after they worked together at Radley College in Oxfordshire where, amongst others, the latter coached England cricket captain Andrew Strauss. "We are delighted that Steve Bates will be joining the staff at Fettes College," Spens said.