Meet the coaches David Byrne Director of Sport David has been at Bede’s since 2011, during which time he has significantly modernised and expanded the Sports offer at both Prep and Senior Schools. David has a strong background in Business and completed his MBA in 2017. As Director of Sport at Bede’s, David is responsible for the Trust’s entire sport programme, which comprises extensive elite and participation programmes. David is passionate about lifelong enjoyment of sport and the positive physical and mental benefits that an active lifestyle brings. He is passionate about ensuring that all pupils are involved in some form of physical activity that they enjoy. Alan Wells Director of Cricket and Level 4 Coach Alan had a professional cricket career that spanned 21 years for Sussex and where he was captain from 1992 to 1996. He also played for Kent from 1997 to 2000 and played a Test match and One Day International for England. He captained an England Lions tour to India and he scored over 30,000 career 1st team runs which included 55 centuries. Neil Lenham Head of Junior Cricket A former Sussex CCC professional, Neil played ‘first class’ cricket for 14 years and played for, and captained Young England. Neil is an ECB Advanced Coach, played and coached both at home (EPP & County pathway) and overseas, Australia & South Africa. He worked with England Women’s team and was Namibia National Coach for 6 years taking them to two ICC World Cups.
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Petch Lenham Cricket and Hockey Coach Petch is a Level 2 hockey coach. She played county and regional hockey, where she was a part of the squad that won U18 Nationals. Petch is also a Level 3 cricket coach, and has coached multiple Sussex county age groups. In her time at Bede’s Petch has led Hockey and Cricket teams to county and national wins, including the U13 boys national championships and U15 girls indoor and outdoor cricket nationals. David Caryer Director of Football David is a UEFA B, FA Youth Advanced Award qualified coach with over 15 years’ coaching experience across all age groups. David is currently the Sussex Schools U18 Manager, and an assistant ISFA U17 coach.
Kellie Larkin Head of Prep Football Kellie played for the Brighton & Hove Albion Centre of Excellence from the ages of 8 to 16 years old. At the age of 12, Kellie was selected for various England talent camps, and she went on to represent England at U17 and U19 level, including two international tournaments. Kellie has 7 caps for England. As a pupil at the Senior School, Kellie was selected for the ISFA Regional and National side. She continued her football career at Chelsea Football Club, winning the league in her first season. Kellie signed for Lewes Football Club and within her first season she won the National League Plate with Lewes.
Dan Harding Professional Football Coach Dan is an ex-professional player who played for a number of clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds, Southampton and Nottingham Forest. Dan played over 400 professional games including four England U21 caps. The exBede’s pupil passed his UEFA B licence working in Southampton’s world-class academy and currently helps to run the football programme at Bede’s Senior School. Chris Borsoi Director of Hockey Chris is a National League Hockey player, currently playing for Brighton & Hove where he is also the Assistant Coach for the Men’s team. Chris has an extensive background in Hockey coaching having also been the Lead Coach of Eastbourne’s Hockey Club and Goalkeeper Coach at East Grinstead Talent Academy. Chris has been accredited with the England Hockey Advance Coaching Program and has a wealth of experience as both a National League player and coach. Robbie Redhead Hockey Coach Robbie is currently a Girls Junior Development Coach at Eastbourne Hockey Club, and Ladies Coach at the University of Brighton. Robbie is a former county and regional hockey player, and a member of England satellite club teams. He played National League 1999 to 2001, and was Captain of Eastbourne Men’s 1st team for six seasons gaining three promotions. Robbie now coaches Hockey at Bede’s Prep and Senior School.
