Chris Weale

Chris joined Sherborne School in September 2019. He has played professionally for teams including Leicester City, Bristol City and Yeovil Town FC in a career spanning 19 years. Prior to joining us, he was player-coach at Exeter City and holds a UEFA B coaching licence. Chris has worked under many England managers including Steve MacClaren, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Aidy Boothroyd and Nigel Pearson. 

At Sherborne School, Chris works with all age groups and specifically with the U18A squad who are currently playing in the Football WISL (Wessex Independent Schools League). Importantly for the School, Chris is running CPD opportunities for Staff with the over-arching aim of improving confidence and competence in delivery, something which Chris is hoping to bring to local schools in the near future. 

Recently achieving a First Class degree in Sports and Exercise Science, Chris’s role sees him work with the School’s Sport Scholars across all disciplines as part of the School’s High Performance Programme, where he utilises to improve technique, as well as develop tactical knowledge and understanding. 

Chris is passionate about continuing to develop an environment in which all players are able to flourish, whilst being honest, respectful and hardworking. Furthermore, Chris believes that the foundation of a player’s development is enjoyment, something Chris aspires to bring to each session, and, with his approachable caring manner, we are sure that Sherborne Football will continue to go from strength to strength! 

Chris lives locally to Sherborne with his wife Sarah and two children, Isaac and Poppy. 

Richard Keen

Richard, an LTA Level 4 qualified and Accredited+ coach, joined Sherborne School as Director of Tennis in January 2022. At Sherborne School, Richard works with all age groups throughout the year providing a tennis programme for boys who wish to develop their skills and push themselves to get the most out of their tennis. Richard also provides coaching to boys who are starting tennis for the first time.

Richard has entered two teams to the LTA Glanville cup in addition to entering a team into the LTA Years 9&10 Schools Competition. He hopes to provide boys with the skills needed to progress in these tournaments in years to come, in addition to giving boys access to LTA tournaments at weekends to reach their full potential.

Using his coaching and playing experience Richard will also be helping to develop the all-round skills of the School’s Sports Scholars as part of the School’s High-Performance Programme and is also helping to develop the tennis programme at Sherborne Prep.

Richard currently lives in Dorchester with his wife Georgie and is a tutor in School House.

Ryan Buckley

Ryan, an ECB Advanced Coach, joined Sherborne School as Director of Cricket Coaching in August 2023. As a player, Ryan represented Durham CCC, winning the LV County Championship in 2013, before retiring in 2015 to pursue a coaching career. Ryan has experience working within

performance (Durham Cricket, Somerset CCC, Dorset CCC & Western Storm) and development (Millfield School & Hong Kong) environments during his coaching career.

The cricket programme at Sherborne runs through the academic year, including a pre-season camp during the Easter holidays to help prepare the boys for the summer term. There is a weekly house indoor cricket competition for the boys to develop who are outside the winter performance programme, alongside coaching the Prep school during the winter months. The holistic programme is designed to challenge the boys on and off the field.

On a Wednesday afternoon, the cricket scholars have an individually designed programme to allow them to reach their individual potential.

Ryan lives in Blandford with his partner, Kieran and his German Pointer, Billy. 

Fraser Henderson

Fraser is joining us from Clifton college, where he also coached the Clifton Robinsons Men’s 1st Team in the West Conference League. Fraser played hockey for a number of years, reaching Scotland U18& U21s before having to retire at 22 due to injury.

Fraser is an FIH & England Hockey coach and is keen to  develop hockey at Sherborne, particularly indoor hockey, in the new Sherborne Sports Centre indoor hockey facility. 

Away from hockey Fraser is a Resident Tutor in Abbeylands alongside his dog Tommy.

Louise Dennis

Louise is currently employed as National Programmes Coach Developer at England Rugby. Her extensive experience in mentoring and developing coaches is a tremendous asset to our rugby programme as she supports the technical development of all our rugby coaches. As a player, she won the premiership with Worcester and represented England Under 20s. Having also worked with the Bath Rugby 1st XV men’s squad as Head of Leadership and Growth and as Head of Rugby Operations and Player Welfare, Louise’s expertise strengthens our elite player provision.

Additionally, Louise has worked as a lecturer at Hartpury College and at director level in the Army Rugby Union. A combination of experience at a strategic level and within education has given her a deep understanding of the delivery of top-flight rugby, making her an outstanding and unanimous choice to lead the development of the game at Sherborne. 

Chris Farrell

Chris Farrell who studied Strength Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage at Cardiff Metropolitan University, joins Sherborne as Head of Athletic Development and First XV Forwards Coach. With seven years’ experience as a personal trainer and a recent position at Wellington College as a Rugby and Strength & Conditioning Consultant, he brings a wealth of applied athletic expertise to the School.

He has played rugby at a high level both in the UK and overseas, spending seasons in Australia and Holland, as well as competing in National League Two for Lydney, Chester and Sutton & Epsom. Last year, he combined playing with coaching as part of the Grasshoppers RFC set-up, further strengthening his ability to develop athletes both on and off the field.

His appointment not only supports the First XV programme but enhances the physical development pathways for all pupils at Sherborne. Working closely with the Director of Rugby and wider sports performance staff, he will help maximise the impact of our outstanding training environments and ensure all boys benefit from high-quality, progressive athletic development.