Queen’s College is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with PaceLab, one of the world’s most advanced fast bowling development programmes, as its South West hub for summer 2025. Founded by former Somerset County Cricket Club player and global high-performance fast bowling coach Steffan Jones, PaceLab will deliver a series of training camps on site at Queen’s.
The programme will attract a mix of international and local fast bowlers, including two current Indian Premier League (IPL) players, for expert one-to-one and group coaching. Athletes will train across Queen’s grass middle wicket, outdoor net complex, indoor and outdoor gyms, and will be able to stay in the school’s on-site boarding accommodation. This creates a unique, all-in-one environment ideal for high-performance sport.
This announcement follows Queen’s recent inclusion in the Cricketer Schools Guide 2025, recognising the school as one of the top 100 senior schools for cricket in England. It also comes on the heels of two other notable achievements: Old Queenian JT Langridge signing his first professional contract with Somerset County Cricket Club, and nine current students being selected for county age-group pathways.
Steffan Jones, PaceLab Founder and High-Performance Fast Bowling Coach for the Rajasthan Royals, said:
“Queen’s College offers everything we look for in a high-performance base, outstanding facilities, excellent accommodation, and a setting that allows us to focus entirely on athlete development. It’s especially meaningful for me to continue operating PaceLab in Taunton, where my own journey in professional sport began. I’m excited to work with fast bowlers from across the globe and the local region in such an ideal environment.”
Jones brings a rare combination of expertise in sports science, strength and conditioning, and technical coaching, and his data-driven methods—including weighted ball bowling, Bondarchuk classification, and skill-stability training—have transformed the way fast bowling is approached worldwide.
Tom Bell, Director of Sport at Queen’s College, added:
“At Queen’s, we’re proud to offer a sporting environment where every student can enjoy taking part, but also where excellence can thrive. To be selected as the South West hub for a world-renowned programme like PaceLab is a huge endorsement of the quality and versatility of our facilities. It’s also fantastic that this partnership opens doors for local fast bowlers to train at the highest level. We’re proud to support performance sport in the region and to play a part in developing the next generation of talent.”
This partnership strengthens Queen’s position as a leading independent school for sport, while connecting the local community with global-level expertise. It also cements the College’s reputation as a top-tier training base for elite athletes.
