Hello and a very warm welcome to everyone connected with Bletchley Rugby Club as our 1st XV return to league action this weekend with an away fixture against Gosford All Blacks in Counties 1 Southern North.

After a well-earned week’s break, the squad return refreshed, refocused, and full of intent. Off the back of the strong win against Oxford, there is a real hunger within the group to build momentum, and the desire to deliver another big performance is clear.

Trips to Gosford are never straightforward, and the squad will need to be at their very best against a side that is always competitive on home soil. With league points becoming increasingly important at this stage of the season, the group will be looking to rise to the challenge and back up last week’s result.

Gosford are a well-established club and always provide a tough test, but also pride themselves on hosting visiting sides in the right spirit. We look forward to another hard-fought contest played with the respect and camaraderie that defines our game.

As ever, I would like to thank our travelling supporters making the journey. Your continued backing, particularly away from home, makes a significant difference to the players and is hugely appreciated.

My thanks also go to our coaches, volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes whose continued commitment ensures the squad is prepared and supported week in, week out.

Here’s to an enjoyable afternoon of league rugby, and I wish both teams the very best of luck.

Come on Bletchley!

Ian Cope
President
Bletchley RUFC

We caught up with Aaron Fitzgerald, a powerful presence in the front row, to talk rugby roots, matchday routines, and life in the engine room of the pack.

Lining up at prop, Aaron describes his game as "hardworking and physically dominant" - exactly what you want from a front-row forward. It’s a role built on effort, strength, and doing the unseen work that lays the platform for the rest of the team.

Aaron’s rugby journey began at the age of 11, inspired by a strong family connection to the game. Regular trips to watch Bedford Blues with his dad helped spark his interest, and from there, his love for rugby only grew.

His standout moment in a Bletchley shirt came under the lights last season: “Beating Buckingham at The Manor.” A big result in front of a home crowd and one that clearly sticks with him.

Preparation on matchday is structured and disciplined - eggs on toast in the morning, a flat white on the way in, plenty of water, and lots of stretching to make sure he’s ready for the physical battle ahead.

In the dressing room, Ollie Comery gets the nod as the squad joker - “always comes out with something funny, even if he doesn’t mean to.” When it comes to downtime, Aaron sits somewhere in the middle: “Bit of both - depends how the legs are feeling after a full 80.”

Matchdays, however, are clear-cut: “Home at The Manor for sure - always a good turnout.” And his ideal Sunday is exactly what you’d expect after a tough shift up front - a lie-in, a good meal, and settling in to watch some sport on the sofa.

Looking ahead, Aaron’s focus and goal for the rest of the season is very much team-driven: “Winning the Lewis Shield at Franklin’s Gardens later this year.” A big target and one the group will be pushing hard towards.

Above all, it’s the environment within the squad that keeps him coming back. “The camaraderie - it’s a great group of lads, and that makes it all worthwhile.”

Go Well Aaron!