John Blain has a distinguished cricket career having played for two first-class counties, Northamptonshire and Yorkshire, and in five world cups for Scotland. John is an ECB level four coach and has been on the coaching staff at Yorkshire CCC as well as being involved with youth cricket coaching in the west of Scotland. He will take up his post at Loretto in January.
Loretto’s headmaster Graham Hawley said: “This is a very exciting new appointment at Loretto and continues our strategy of employing first-class professional sports coaches to supplement our core sports coaching. Loretto has always had a reputation for being good at cricket and, with John’s wealth of experience coaching and playing cricket, we are investing in its continued success and development.”
David Burton, Loretto’s director of sport, added: “We are delighted to have secured the services of John to ensure the continuation of first-class cricket provision at Loretto. Cricket is one of our main sports and we play all-year round by using indoor nets in the sports hall during the winter. John’s appointment also provides the opportunity for Loretto to forge a strong partnership with Grange CC, one of Scotland’s leading clubs. The partnership will see increased opportunities for playing and coaching for young cricketers at school and club level.”
John’s appointment follows Michael Powell’s move back to his home town of Rugby after five years’ service as director of cricket and housemaster at Loretto School.