Academy News

The Blues Academy kick off their fixtures when they welcome London Scottish to Goldington Road this Saturday, August 22nd, Kick Off 12 noon.

Blues Academy Director, Denis Ormesher, said: “We have 12 of last year's squad returning this season, and we have some good youngsters who have been with on trial this summer.  They have all worked hard over the summer, and are beginning to come together as a squad."

The Blues Academy pre-season training is in full swing.  The Academy players started pre-season training at the beginning of July and have been working hard since then. 

Blues Academy Director, Denis Ormesher, said: “Last year was another successful season, with some fine wins, but as always with rugby it is all start again this season."

The Blues Academy return to action with the start of pre-season training on Monday July 6th. Sixteen of last year’s squad are returning and will join new players on trial over July and August. If you think you have got what it takes to join the Blues Academy look here.

The Bedford Blues Academy Player Awards were presented by Bedford Blues President, Gareth Davies, at the Academy End of Season dinner at Goldington Road.

The Most Improved Player award was won by full back Jack Stapley.

The Young Player of the Year award was won by centre Aaron Martin.

The Player of the Year award was won by scrum half, Chris Easton.

Chris Easton, the Blues Academy captain, has been selected to be one of 30 players to attend a training session with Graham Rowntree (England Forwards Coach) and Mike Catt (England Attacking Skills Coach), at Twickenham next week.

The day includes a welcome briefing at Twickenham Stadium, home of England Rugby, before the training session, followed by a Q&A session with Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt in the England team changing room at Twickenham.

The Blues Academy ended their season by winning the inaugural Bedford Blues Under 19 10-a-side tournament at Goldington Road.

The competition was designed to showcase the player development work being carried out by a number of Championship clubs as well as giving the players a competitive focus to end the season.

With eight sides participating in two pools of four, there was non-stop rugby all day. 

The Blues Academy ended their 15-a-side season with a narrow 27pts – 24 victory away from home over London Scottish.  In a game where some of the refereeing interpretations made it difficult for both sides to establish any continuity the Blues led by 15pts – 10 at half time.  Turning around to face the strong wind in the second half Bedford went on to win by 27pts – 24.

The Blues Academy play their final 15-a-side game of the season when they travel to Richmond to play London Scottish Academy.  The game is at The Athletic Ground, Kew Foot Road, Richmond, TW9 2SS and Kick Off is 2.00 pm.

With players returning from injury the Blues make seven changes to their starting lineup and give debuts to four new players on the bench. 

Bedford Blues Academy welcomed a Leicester Tigers Academy side, who had beaten Wales U18s and England Counties U18s in their last two games, to Goldington Road on Sunday. 

The Blues took an early lead after 10 minutes but went into half time 14pts - 5 behind after a closely contested first half.  Tigers’ superior pace and power saw them stretch away in the last 20 minutes to end as deserved winners by 47–5.

The Blues Academy welcome Leicester Tigers Academy to Goldington Road on Sunday, KO 12 noon.

With a spate of injuries to cope with the Blues make five changes to the starting lineup and give debuts to four new players on the bench.