Blues Foundation Ambassadors:
Budge Rogers OBE
Budge is the record appearance holder for Bedford Blues, playing 485 matches and captaining the side for the majority of them. Budge captained England in seven of his 34 caps and took part in the 1962 Lions tour, playing two tests against South Africa. Budge went on to become Chairman of Selectors when England completed the Grand Slam in 1980 and was also President of the RFU in 2000-01. He has been awarded an OBE for services to Rugby.
His greatest passion has always revolved around Bedfordshire with Budge playing an important role in the founding of a local branch of the Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. Budge is also President of the local region of The Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby.
Mouritz Botha
Mouritz Botha is a former Rugby Union player for Bedford Blues, Saracens and Newcastle, going on to make 10 international appearances for England. Notable achievements include guiding Saracens to their first Premiership title in 2011, producing some stand out performances which lead to his England call up.
Born in South Africa, Mouritz originally came to Bedford in the early 2000s. Now residing in nearby Stevington, Botha continues to be actively involved in local sport, including playing cricket for local side Sharnbrook & Bromham CC.
Mouritz is passionate about the power sport can have in the wider community and is determined to help Blues Foundation towards the overall ambition of becoming one of Bedfordshire’s leading sports charities.
Max McMurdo
Bedford born Max McMurdo is an acclaimed TV presenter having most notably featured on Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces and Find It Fix It Flog It, Netflix’s Mortgage Free and ITV’s 10k holiday home.
Max constantly champions the idea of helping the local Bedfordshire community, whether that be feeding the homeless in his converted Soupervan or collecting litter on his paddle board from his floating shipping container home.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Blues Foundation as his work also continues outside of Bedford as he ventures on an annual trip to Nakuru, Kenya where he builds classrooms and teaches lessons in design, English and manufacturing.
Emma Graham
An integral part of Bedford Blues Women since their official launch during the COVID-19 pandemic, Emma made history at Goldington Road in October 2021 by becoming the first player to score points for the side in their debut fixture against Shelford Ladies Nomads.
She continued her scoring exploits throughout the campaign to finish as top try scorer, leading the side to the NC3 Midlands (Central) Division title to cap off a magnificent debut campaign for Mark Stapley’s side.
Away from rugby, Graham has been working for the last eight years at Bedford based SSG Education & Training, an educational facilitator who aim to help people reach their potential through being active and developing skills.