Meet the team:

TOM HARWOOD - head of FOUNDATION

Tom joined the charity in its infancy in April 2020. Tom is responsible for leading the Foundation’s strategic aims with staff, trustees and external partners. As well as identifying areas of growth and advocating for the impact we have locally, Tom also oversees our fundraising strategy and charity governance.

Tom has over 15 years of experience in the local sport and charity sector, delivering on a number of different national programmes across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire in community settings and schools. Growing up a Blues fan, Tom is passionate about the impact Blues Foundation has on communities and how the power of sport can enhance peoples lives.

Email: tom@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Ben Wiggins - Community Rugby Manager

Ben joins the team after working for 4 years at the Saracens Foundation where he worked on numerous projects which focused on coaching primary and secondary school children. Ben studied at North Herts College where he earned a Distinction* in sports studies where he discovered a passion for coaching. 

In 2022 Ben was selected to play rugby for Denmark national side alongside playing for his childhood club Hitchin RFC. Ben has taken on the role as Community rugby manager and hopes to help grow the sport in both schools and within our local community rugby clubs. 

Email: ben@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Alysia Clarke - Operations Manager

Alysia joined the team back in April 2024, a new role in the Foundation as Operations Manager. Her role is a virtual step forward to support the Senior Management Team. Alysia has over 5 years of experience working within the Charity sectors. Alysia has also worked as a Civil Servant and within private education. She has experience managing projects which focused on deprived areas within our local community. 

Alysia is enthusiastic to make a difference to young people. She is passionate about supporting and helping others, empowering people to be the best version of themselves using the values of rugby.

Email: alysia@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Annelise Finlayson - Education Manager (Primary Lead)

Annelise joined the team in November 2024 having spent 13 years as a Primary School Teacher across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire as well as working within the county Children and Young People Sport Development team for 10 years. She is passionate about using physical activity to provide positive experiences for young people and using the Blues Foundation values as drivers to support mental health and wellbeing for all young people.

Annelise has led on a number of national projects that connect schools with sport to support communities and is passionate about a child-centred approach when developing the Primary School programmes that the Blues Foundation offer whilst ensuring they align with the National Curriculum. 

Email: annelise@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Mike Adamson - Fundraising Manager

Mike joins the Blues foundation after almost 40 years within the banking profession during much of his time was spent working alongside the business community. After 18 months in retirement, he now has taken up the role of helping the Foundation further connect with the Business community and help raise greater awareness of our work.

In his early years, Mike was a keen sportsman, although playing and watching rugby was always his lead passion. He can still be seen watching the Blues most Saturday’s. He’s a huge fan of the work the Foundation do and the value it can have on the lives of young people and is looking forward to connecting with you to see how you can help us grow.

Email: mike@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Joshua Dunne - Rugby Development Officer

Josh joins Blues Foundation following three years of professional rugby with Connacht Rugby. Having successfully come through the Irish Qualified system as a school boy and achieving representative honours with Ireland U18s the opportunity came knocking to sign with the west of Ireland province. Within this spell he went on to win further international representation in the green jersey at U20s.

Josh then spent time as a sports assistant at Eton College, cementing his passion in coaching and working with young people. Josh is excited to move into a rugby specific coaching role and will focus on supporting community clubs and school rugby delivery.

Email - josh@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Joe Howard - Rugby Development Officer

Joe joins the Blues foundation and Bedford Blues following on from 3 years of professional rugby at the premiership side Gloucester and 1 year at the championship side Hartpury RFC. Joe has been capped at England U18 and U19 level as well as vice captaining England University Students.

During Joe's time at Gloucester he completed a degree in Sports Business Management. Alongside his short spell playing in championship Joe worked as a FE Sessional Lecturer and Coach at Hartpury college. Along with working for the foundation Joe is currently signed as a player for Bedford Blues. 

Email - joe@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Tom Bailey - Community Rugby Apprentice

Tom has been working with Blues Foundation and Bedford Blues as a community coach for over two years and also leads our matchday activation at Goldington Road.

Tom is responsible for our community coaching sessions on matchday, as well as our guard of honour and is passionate about giving each junior team the best matchday experience as possible.

Email: tomb@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Daisy D’Onofrio - Sports Development Apprentice

Daisy works across outreach programmes and rugby projects at Blues Foundation. Daisy has played rugby for 9 years, starting at Hitchin RFC then to Saracens Centre of Excellence and earning international honours with Italy U18s.

Alongside her playing career, she has coached at Hitchin RFC, all throughout her Level 3 BTEC in Sports Coaching and Development completing it with  D*D*D, and even helped Saracens at some of their summer camps. Daisy is passionate about helping everyone, especially girls, find their love for sport and stay active.

Email: daisy@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Joel Matavesi - Sport and Inclusive Mentor

Joel has joined the Blues foundation and Bedford Blues following on from 10 years of professional rugby with Ospreys, Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints.

In his first year out of full time rugby, Joel is enjoying the Tackle Life programme, and seeing the impact this has whilst also coaching in the local schools. As a qualified rugby coach, Joel delivers curriculum rugby across a number of schools in and around Bedford. Joel is currently playing with Bedford Blues alongside his foundation commitments.

joel@bluesfoundation.org.uk

Lilly Staniford - Sport and Inclusion Mentor

Lilly@bluesfoundation.org.uk