The Brian Cawley Rowing Scholarship BEDFORD SCHOOL
The Brian Cawley Rowing Scholarship
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Thanks to Old Bedfordian Brian Cawley (60-69), a generous benefactor, Bedford School is delighted to be able to offer a scholarship for talented rowers to join and enhance the pool of gifted athletes already studying at the school. This scholarship aims to further raise the impressive level of rowing at Bedford School, ensuring that crews compete at the highest level, regularly winning at elite events such as the Henley Royal Regatta, and set even more students on the path to competing internationally. The Brian Cawley Rowing Scholarship is available to students joining the school in Year 12 (16+), and awards of up to 100% of fees are possible for successful applicants. Boys who have what it takes to become elite rowers and want to join one of the world’s top boys’ boarding schools as a day or boarding pupil are invited to apply.
Bedford School Boat Club Bedford School Boat Club is the sixth oldest school boat club in the UK, dating back to 1861. Bedford crews have achieved significant success throughout the boat club’s proud history, winning the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup four times in the 1940s and 1950s and the Special Race for Schools in 1978. In recent years, the club have also won a host of gold medals at the National Schools’ Regatta and the prestigious Child Beale Cup in 2018. Old Bedfordians’ (OBs) successes have been equally impressive, with selections for the GB senior team. Notable OBs include Olympic champion Jack Beresford, Britain’s most successful rower before Sir Steve Redgrave. More recently, Phelan Hill steered the British eight to gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. OBs have represented their country at the Under 23 World Championships, the Commonwealth Games and The Boat Race and won events at Henley Royal Regatta. OB Benedict Eggeling, a German national rowing team member, is looking forward to competing in the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“Bedford School offers a world class education whilst also providing sporting facilities that enabled me to follow my dream of being a world class athlete”
“Bedford School was not only one of the most important stepping stones on my way to the German senior rowing team, it also enabled me to study at the highest level in order to successfully apply to top universities”
OB Phelan Hill CBE (87-97), Olympic gold medallist
OB Benedict Eggeling (14-17), German rowing international
Our Facilities
The Harpur Trust Boathouse
Led by Olympian and Director of Rowing, Pete Mulkerrins, the Bedford School Boat Club has excellent facilities within a short walk from the school on the picturesque River Great Ouse. It has one of the best-equipped school fleets in the UK thanks to regular investment. The boathouse, which it shares with fellow Harpur Trust Schools, Bedford Girls’ School and Bedford Modern School, offers comfortable surroundings, with modern changing facilities and an ergometer room for land training and testing. On the main school estate, athletes have access to a performance room with ergometers, Wattbikes and weight training facilities.
Australia Rowing Tour 2023
As well as regular domestic training camps, the club regularly travels overseas to Sarnen in Switzerland, home of the Swiss National Team. Senior members of the club also enjoy overseas tours, including Australia in 2023. During the school’s 2022-2023 season, the club achieved success across all age groups, winning three pennants at the Schools’ Head of the River and bronze at the National Schools Competition in the colts (U16) eights.
Sports Scholars As sports scholars, boys are expected to provide leadership and act as role models, setting the very best example in training and attitude, both in specific sessions and their own preparation. They are expected to embody the genuine sporting ethos of Bedford School: to play sport with determination and a drive for success but always within the rules. They are also asked to share their invaluable advice and provide guidance to our junior teams. Our sports scholars are offered clear specialist mentoring, with personalised advice on fitness, physiology, mental aptitude, and nutrition. They also benefit from access to a sports psychologist, a strength and conditioning coach and on-site physiotherapy. Boys at Bedford receive top class coaching and support to develop their own talents and help them develop into elite athletes. Boys with the potential to thrive in Bedford’s inclusive learning and sporting environment and who aspire to reach an elite level of rowing in the future, are warmly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship Criteria Applicants must: • • • • • •
have rowed competitively for at least three years be in the top 20 in the national rankings for Year 11, 2,000m ergometer test satisfy the standard academic entry requirements of Bedford School be motivated to act as a role model and inspire peers to reach high standards set the best example through their effort and attitude embody the sporting ethos of Bedford School: to compete with determination and a drive for success but always within the rules
Strong candidates will also ideally: • •
have featured in finals of National Schools or National Championships, with medals being desirable currently be in the GB training system or have their sights firmly set on gaining international representation
How to Apply Candidates are required to complete the school’s registration form (see left hand QR code) and scholarship application form (see right hand QR code), which will be reviewed by the Director of Rowing. Successful candidates will be invited to an assessment afternoon. Candidates will also be asked to submit a reference from their current coach. For details on the school’s Year 12 application process, please go to bedfordschool.org.uk/admissions/how-to-apply. Should you have any further questions about the admissions process, please do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Team at admissions@ bedfordschool.org.uk. Our Director of Rowing, Pete Mulkerrins, is also happy to provide further information on rowing at Bedford School.
Bedford School, De Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TU Tel: +44 (0)1234 362216 Email: admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk www.bedfordschool.org.uk Bedford School is part of The Harpur Trust: a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: Company No. 3475202. Registered Office: Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ. Registered Charity No. 1066861