Blues Teams Supporting the nationwide FA Safe football weekend
Led by the Football Association, the Play Safe campaign is endorsed by the NSPCC and will be supported this weekend across every leval of English football, including the Premier League EFL, Barclays Women's Super League & Wowmans Championship and across the Grassroots game.
​
This year's Play Safe weekend focuses on the safeguarding role that Everyone has to play from the coach,player, parent/carer, spectator or volunteer - to keep children and young people, no matter the football setting.
​
​
EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, EVERYTIME
is encouraged to
WATCH, LISTEN, TALK & ACT.
If they have any safeguarding concerns.
PlaySafe Video
.jpeg)
​
Bideford Blues and Braunton FC hosted the first Women's Walking Football Tournament in North Devon with over 150 women, aged from 30 – 67, taking part.
Clubs from Devon, Somerset and Wales enjoyed two days of competitive football and teams included players who play recreationally for fun, club level, regional WFA standard and International players from Wales and England. It was a great weekend of football, fun and friendship.
Tydfil weretournament winners on Saturday and The Hot Steppers picked up the trophy on
Sunday.
Wendy Benson, Chair of the new Devon FA Women's Walking Football League, said: "It's been a great event with lots of positive feedback. It's fantastic tosee so many women playing what is a relatively new sport in Devon.
“We are looking forward to the launch of two Leagues in the County this year and to a number of tournaments over the summer.
“Walking football is for everyone, even if you never played before. It's also a great way for people finishing 11-a-side to continue to play the game theylove or for anyone returning to the sport following injury or illness.
“It's a great way to get fit and meet new people too.Huge thanks to Bideford Blues FC, and especially Pat and Alan, who kept everyone fed and watered all weekend."
Anyone wanting to find out more can contact Wendy Benson on 07850236095 or look up Devon FA Women's Walking Football League Facebook page.
There is also a raft of information on the Devon County FA website, with the current focus on clubs ensuring they fulfil all their affiliation requirements for the 2023-24 season.
Clubs will need to ensure their officials’ qualifications are up to date, grounds and training facilities meet requirements, FA DBS checks are completed and Safeguarding Children Courses have been sorted for those working with Under-18s.
Former Blues Player Voted player of the month
A former Bideford Blues player Nathan Colley has been voted November player of the month by Barnstaple Town FC supperters.
Its so good to see that former players from our club are having an impact on the Western League at Barnstaple Town FC.
​
Dave Jones a former blues coach and now a Director at BTFC stated that
"BTFC have a number of former Blues players including Cal Deemer, Liam Martin, Aidan Grant, Alfie Sanga and Finlry Haste all are progressing nicely thanks to the excellent work by the blues and their coaches"
​
Well done Nathan and the rest of our former players.
​
A great headline for a defender ‘More Haste, less conceded!’
​
18 year old Ollie Haste featured on the cover and inside the Truro City programme. Ollie came up through Blues & is the grandson of our groundsman and committee member, Alan Mckenzie.
He is a professional at Yeovil and currently on loan at Truro City where he is getting excellent reviews for his performances.
​
The club is proud of you Ollie.
New lease of life given to unused kits
Two of our old kits are featured in the photos below. They were sent to a charity collecting for children in Africa, Fremington also contributed.
Work continues at Sandymere
Thank you to Alan, Adam and their volunteers for all their recent hard work at Sandymere - new fencing and painted dugouts.
Black netting, having been untangled is currently lying flat ready for raising in place in the next couple of weeks.
