We are launching an exciting new partnership with Northampton Saints for the 2026-27 Rugby season! 

We are thrilled to announce that as of this month (September), we are becoming an Elite Community Partner School with the 2025-26 Gallagher PREM Champions Club.

This inspiring partnership will be the largest of its kind in Cambridgeshire and will provide King’s Ely Prep, Senior, and Sixth Form students with unrivalled support and opportunities with their Rugby journey. 

The relationship will not only nurture and reward promising Rugby players in the school though; all members of the King’s community will benefit, with initiatives including staff development opportunities, Northampton Saints player appearances, free and discounted tickets to Northampton Saints home fixtures, and more.

Mr Michael Batty, outgoing Head of Rugby at King's, said: "It has been a pleasure to build this partnership with Northampton Saints over several years, and it is a real honour to formalise and strengthen the relationship with such a prestigious club. This collaboration will provide even greater opportunities for both pupils and staff to develop their understanding and knowledge of the game, while fostering a genuine love of Rugby.

"In recent years, eighteen King’s players have been involved in the Northampton Saints Elite Player Development Group programme, and we are excited to continue supporting pupils on this performance pathway. With Mr Daniel Allen taking on the role of Head of Rugby, we look forward to building on these strong foundations and further enhancing the opportunities available to our young players through this partnership.”

Northampton Saints’ mission is to be the best development club in England. The club’s academy system is one of the most prestigious and successful development pathways in English Rugby, renowned for producing top-tier talent who go on to represent both club and country.

Miss Hayley Mortimer, our Deputy Head Co-Curriculum, said: "I am delighted to see King’s partnering with Northampton Saints as we continue to strengthen both participation and performance pathways within our sports programme. Inspiring a love of sport across our school community, while giving pupils the opportunity to experience what professional sport looks like, is invaluable. It helps them understand the commitment, dedication, and standards required to succeed at the highest levels of the game.”

We are proud to not only be affiliated with a club of such stature, but also of the fact that its ethos links perfectly with the school’s; in that all players should be well-rounded individuals and able to excel both on the field and away from Rugby. 

Mr Ben Lawrence, Head of Community at Northampton Saints, said: “We are delighted to have King’s come on board as one of our Elite Community Partner Schools for 2026-27. Our work across our region has scaled up over the last few years, and Cambridgeshire in particular has seen more engagement and interaction across clubs and schools. Our partnership with King’s will be the largest of its kind in the county and will be a platform to support students at the school through their Rugby journey. We cannot wait to see the fruits of this start to show over the coming weeks, months, and years.”

Bring on the 2026-27 season!