Aims and Vision for a New Season

The process of incorporating Oxford Rugby Club and becoming a limited company is finally over. The new entity has been successfully trading since May 1st this year. Becoming incorporated makes little difference to the average member and guest’s experience of the club, which continues to offer a warm social welcome, and rugby for all abilities, played on a slick surface.

Playing – the principal aim of Senior Playing is to provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all players. With that, the aim is to fulfil all the 1st and 2nd XV Nomads B.B.O. league fixtures. The Senior players train on a Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 pm.

The non contact game is an area of great growth at the club and the aim is for it to keep growing. WALKING RUGBY (see example from Amesbury Rugby Club) was introduced this summer on a Thursday night from 7:00 pm and currently has a small but dedicated following. The game is literally accessible to anyone although it is probably more social than physical. All the players are looking forward to their first fixture.

The Under 17’s enter the era of Colts rugby where the clash between club and school is prevalent. The aim is to manage the clash for this age group to keep flourishing.

The club takes tremendous pride in the warm, friendly but balanced competitive atmosphere it creates on a Sunday morning. Numbers of Age Grade players are gradually increasing but the aim is to accelerate the growth through a rigorous campaign.

Commercial Partners – the club warmly thanks Roadvacs for being the main club commercial partner for almost a decade. The company has now changed hands so the relationship has ended. The aim is to find another main partner but also offer bespoke offers to a range of smaller partners not just for one season but a minimum of three so a true mutually beneficial relationship can be established. For anyone interested in helping the club please contact us.

Community Partners – the club is becoming a hub for the local community and is well on the way to fulfilling its aim of being a Community Club. The following clubs have signed a new lease with ORFC Trading Ltd – Cumnor Minors F.C., East Oxford F.C., Oxford Saints American Football, Oxford Powersports, Oxford Archers, Try Tag Rugby and the Oxford Soccer Skills Academy. Throughout the season an extra 200 people a week will benefit from the facilities at ORFC.

The most exciting new development and one which may fit neatly with Walking Rugby is the lease given to Shed Oxford. They are a part of the national Mens Sheds charity who bring men together to improve mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness and social isolation through connection and conversation. Further information will be sent once the Shed is operational.

Clubhouse and Grounds – the main substantial project for the clubhouse is to renovate all the toilets. This will go far beyond a lick of paint but to re-fit them to make them easier to clean and use.

Work on the grounds has been a principle aim for over 5 years which has transformed them. They are grass though, so use can be limited as they need time to recover. That use is dramatically reduced if they are abused by coaches training on the same spot all the time.

Flooding on the Stadium Pitch 1 and St Peters last year was an issue so we aim to explore the options for Training Pitch 2 and Clubhouse Pitch 3. In time they could become the main pitch. As regards the flooding there is little we can do at this stage other than work with Thames Water and going forward with building the Oxford Flood Alleviation scheme.

Oxford Rugby Club Limited Organisation – the incorporated company has a board of directors John Brodley (Chair) Kevin Honner (Board Secretary), Tony Tyrer (President), Alison Berry (Treasurer), . They meet 3 times a year to set major club policy. The club is run by a Management Committee Chaired by John Brodley and comprises those on the board along with Wayne Rushen (Senior Playing), David Hayter (Minis), and Indi Brodley (Administrator).This committee meets on the 1st Thursday of each month when any issue you bring up can be discussed.

Contact ORFC

Contact Oxford Rugby Football Club Limited and your message will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

[email protected]