Bedford Junior Blues RUFC

Dear All,
In this the festive season I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Successful New Year. I do hope that I will be able to personally share this wish with you at our Chairman’s Drinks Reception this Sunday @ Goldington Road. I know that we have over 250 acceptances for this event which is fabulous and I look forward to a joining all for a festive drink, some decent scoff and a bit of a sing a long !!!
I would like to take this opportunity to touch base with you all and update you with a few developments within our club.

1. New Shirts. You may recall at the start of the season I wrote to all advising of the provision of a New Junior Blues shirt. This was on the back of Marcus Buckle securing both a club main sponsor ‘ Paragon’ and a number of individual age groups sponsors. I am sorry for the wait but I am pleased to confirm that the first batch of these shirts should be with us this week. Emma Minney will be working flat out to organise this delivery into the age group requirements and hopefully we will be in a position to distribute these before Christmas. As I detailed in the original communication we will be able to provide each of the Junior Age groups with a set of shirts per squad at no cost. These will be the property of the age group but individual shirts will be available to purchase from the kit stall as soon as stocks arrive. We will also be able, on the back of the sponsorship support, to provide every pre ordered shirt for the mini age groups at a vastly subsidised cost of £10 per shirt. This will be a voluntary contribution per shirt but with such we will be able to provide all shirts at no cost to the club. As soon as the final delivery arrives I will advise all accordingly, but hopefully another parcel will be available for Santa’s sack or at the very least a new shirt for the New Year.
2. Coaches Game – yes it actually happened and even managed a win against Ampthill Vets. 29 – 5. Great time was had by all and I know a second is planned for the New Year. It would be great to get even more coaches to play and to get more supporters along to cheer.
3. Number 1s. It is policy for Junior Blues that every Junior Age group wear full number ones post match. This policy I am pleased to state has been well adhered, it is disappointing to witness, however, that recently this has not been the case across the board. Can I please ask all to support this policy at all times. It is a requirement that players and coaches wear Junior Blues Number 1 shirt or plain light blue shirts, tucked into black trousers or Neat Jeans, black shoes and Blues tie ( knot to touch collar button and end to touch the belt ) No sweaters or hoodies over shirt etc.
4. Car Parking. We as a club pay for the use of Mark Rutherford School every Sunday as a Car Park for our parents and visitors. The local residents and Police are continuing to complain about the volumes of illegally parked cars every week despite this provision. The Police in future will not be so lenient and will issue penalty notices. Please ensure you are not caught out !! . It is also not permitted to park on the grass in the Ath by the U6s and U7s pitches. This is a serious health and safety issues for our youngest players and I ask that you please do not park here under any circumstances. We as a committee are presently reviewing options to provide some additional parking at the Ath and will advise all in due course
5. Discipline – I am sorry to raise this issue at this time but feel it does need airing. Several members of the committee have had their time spent recently dealing with various disciplinary matters that have occurred over the past weeks. It is disappointing to say the least that we find ourselves in such a position. We take great pride at Bedford Junior Blues in that we have a great reputation as being a model rugby club that promote the ethics of our great Sport at all times. Please can I ask that we all revisit the Core Values that our Sport promote and ensure they are alive and kicking within us all at Junior Blues. TEAMWORK, RESPECT, DISCIPLINE, ENJOYMENT, SPORTSMANSHIP.
These Values must be in our DNA as a club and I am looking to all players, coaches, parents, supporters to respect these at all times. Thank you.
6. I am delighted to report that from the start of the new season we have record numbers of children registered with us @ Junior Blues from U6s through to U17s and across the girls. Whilst other Junior Clubs are struggling to raise enough players for one side we are in the enviable position of fielding two if not three teams per age group. This is great for the Junior Blues and I thank all for the efforts that are made across the board from our legions of volunteers in making this Club the success it is.
7. I am sure you will have read all the good news stories on the Website ?!? But feel I must make special note of the successes of several of our players in the U16s recently in the East Midlands set up. Following on from their successes with the East Midlands , Nico Defeo, Perry Liu, Harrison Marshall, Alex O’Dell, James Phillips and Zakk Scorer have all been invited to attend trials for Midlands. This is just one step away from England trials. Well done Chaps and we wish you every success for the trials in January.

A great start to the season Well Done All and I wish you all again a very Happy Christmas and an Equally Successful New Year