Following the significant growth and development of both the charitable arm of the club, Blues Foundation, and the Blues Community, Bedford Blues are pleased to announce the merging of resources and activities under the Blues Foundation brand.
After a period of review and consultation, this exciting step change will allow for further growth in both areas of the business under the charity’s umbrella. The move follows careful consideration and understanding of both areas for the benefit of the community. Ambitions and objectives remain focused on increasing the support of sport, health, wellbeing, participation and education right the way across Bedfordshire and beyond.
Collaboration between the two departments has existed for some time and Bedford Blues are passionate that merging into one organisation will create a streamlined approach that all stakeholders can understand and support.
Since its inception five years ago, Blues Community has grown substantially with a recent increase in both full and part-time members of staff, allowing engagement with more young people than ever before across primary, secondary and further education.
Delivered under the Play the Blues Way principles; high-quality rugby coaching and supplementary multi-sport provision has been enhanced by additional education focused programmes.
During the pandemic, further development and planning into online workshops and specialist one-to-one coaching enabled more engagement tools to be utilised and allow coaching to still take place despite challenging conditions.
Running in parallel for the past two years has been Blues Foundation, launched at the start of the pandemic to further extend the club’s community reach, the charity has developed key established links with Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council.
Blues Foundation’s main objectives are to promote positive lifestyle choices and deliver flagship provision such as ABILITY Blues, Try to Change and Tackle LIFE – under three key strands: Wellbeing, Inclusivity and Skills.
The groundwork put into place by Blues Foundation across the county has seen an upturn in participation in sport as well as the promotion of positive lifestyle choices. The aims and objectives of both departments are such that a seamless transition can take place with Blues Community now falling under the guise of the charity while continuing to offer high-quality sports provision and programmes.
Adam King, previously Bedford Blues Head of Community, will transfer across as Head of Delivery and Max Cubitt, previously Bedford Blues Rugby Development Officer, will keep the same job title, but now work under Blues Foundation. The changes include the transfer of part-time and casual delivery staff.
As part of the restructure, Tom Harwood will become Head of Foundation and continue to lead the charitable arm of the club with the support of the trustees.
Bedford Blues Chief Operating Officer, Gareth Alred said:
“This is another really exciting step for both the club and charity as both organisations continue in their next stage of growth. We are lucky to have great members of staff in both areas of this transfer and are delighted they will form one new streamlined structure to deliver the best possible community facing projects and programmes under the Blues Foundation brand.”
For any further information on the transition of Bedford Blues Community into the Blues Foundation or to find out how you can support, email tom@bluesfoundation.org.uk
