Captain's Report : Pre-Season Update

The off-season preparation is now complete and the camp is upon us. With 15 of the Varsity 22 returning, we are blessed with continuity that is rarely seen at a university club. The players have worked hard over the summer months, few more so than Peter Jenkins and Adam Slade who could be found with impressive regularity pounding the track or throwing large quantities of steel around the weights room.

It is an exciting time for me and despite the hard work over the summer the challenges that lay ahead are a reminder that the journey has only just begun. OURFC is fortunate to have a talented coaching staff again in 2004 with the return of Carl Douglas as head coach, assisted by forwards coach Steve Hill. Andrew Parry from King’s School Parramatta joins the coaching team, along with Paul Roberts who returns as the Greyhounds coach. Paddy Mortimer has provided strength and conditioning programs over the off-season and his involvement with the first team will continue as the season progresses. Andy Baulch’s SAQ work will continue making the players faster and more agile than ever before. As always competition for places in the Varsity squad will be intense and all involved will have to work hard for their positions and opportunities. The returning Blues will provide stability and experience to the 2004 squad ensuring that the high standards will be maintained. They will provide leadership both on and off the field, and all have points to prove after the disappointments of last year’s draw. Season 2003-2004 witnessed the development of some exciting talent in the club, and many eyes will be watching the further progress of Ross Lavery, Doug Abbott and Chris Hatfield who all impressed in Hilary term Blue’s fixtures. The positive influence of experienced older players is often recognised when discussing the prospects of a new season. However the enthusiasm and determination of our young players will no doubt have a huge influence on the success of our season.

The OURFC squad will be significantly strengthened by the arrival of two talented South Africans in the shape of Matt Grey and Anthony Knox. While the Trinity College Dublin connection will be complete with the inclusion of Sean Brophy, Paul Laffin, Donal Crotty and Nigel Brooke Waters. The England and Durham University student James Whittingham comes to the club with an impressive reputation and will be a player to watch in 2004.

The off-season has been a busy time for those players associated with OURFC, both on and off the field. Richard Woods has focused himself on the secretary’s role with diligence and creativity, bringing his own unique style (the pink shirts for one), laying the foundation for a smooth ride for the players along with an entertaining social schedule with the help of the Crown Committee. Anton Van Zyl and Matt Street have been working with Matt Watkinson organising the details for an upgraded website which should be on-line before the start of the academic year.

The camp will assist in the development of game plan and social moulding of our unit. It is also an opportunity for players to display their talents and the coaches to build the beginnings of a competitive unit. The culmination of the tour will be the trial match against Henley which is the final chance for players to book themselves a place on tour. The tour this year is to Japan where the squad will play three Japanese universities. In the past these fixtures have proven to be challenging, due to both the quality of the opposition and the confusing officiating. Players will be exposed to expansive attacking rugby from the Japanese in difficult conditions and Oxford will require composure and cohesion to achieve a successful tour.

As a player I have experienced disappointment twice in the Varsity match. For the last two years we have entered the varsity match as tacit favourites, a label that is often unappreciated in the Varsity build-up. It is important for Oxford that we focus on our processes and prepare ourselves in the best possible way, the players are hungry for success and possess the necessary resolve to give themselves every possible chance.