Biggleswade RUFC

Biggleswade Rugby Club facilities are now being used by the Foundation Phase of the Northampton Saints Academy Pathway, building on the club’s strong links with the local premiership side. 

Starting this month, the region’s top U15 and U16 rugby players are using the Biggleswade facilities for training as part of the Saints Foundation Programme.

Biggleswade Rugby Club was chosen as the Bedfordshire Foundation Phase Site thanks to its excellent facilities (set to expand to three floodlit pitches), and the historical stability of Biggy’s pitch availability, even in harsh weather.

In addition to 20+ Foundation Evenings on Wednesdays, it is planned Biggleswade will also host three regional U15 match days during the 2025 season, where 200+ players from five county areas will come together to play some top-quality matches.

“We share Saints’ commitment to developing homegrown rugby players,” said club chairman Pete Richards. “Biggleswade Rugby Club welcomes the opportunity to show off our great facilities (and sell a few coffees and hot meals), as well as promote Biggy to the region. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us and we are delighted to welcome coaches, players and their parents.”

Pete and another Biggleswade coach, Mike Lewis, are already involved in coaching the Foundation phase. The Foundation Training link will also see opportunities for Biggleswade coaches to take part in CPD (Continuing Professional Development) sessions.

The Northampton Saints Foundation Phase is for U15 and U16 players and is part of a national programme delivered in partnership with the RFU, regional academies and constituent bodies.

It aims to complement school, club and county rugby, and focuses on developing the individual players by:

• Developing highly skilled players and coaches.
• Providing a high quality of coaching, within a positive environment.
• Providing a foundation for players to maximise their potential both on and off the pitch, in rugby and in life.
• Providing an introduction to nutrition, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention.
• Identifying potential academy players.

For some players it will be the start of a pathway to Academy rugby and - for the elite developers - potential places in Saints Senior Squad.

Max Dominy, Foundation Phase and Coach Development Manager at Northampton Saints, said: “We are grateful to Biggleswade for hosting our Bedfordshire Centre within the Foundation Phase of our Academy Pathway. We have a shared ethos of wanting to offer as much opportunity to young people within our region to access rugby and participate in a setting with good facilities. Biggleswade as a club has been extremely hospitable and welcoming to us, and I look forward to seeing how we can grow the game together in Bedfordshire over the coming years.”