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About ourfc

A club steeped in history

captains 2024/25

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alex wilkinson
keble college
Women*s Blues Captain 2024/5
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luke wyllie
st hilda's college
Men*s Blues Captain 2024/5

the history of ourfc

written by Peter Wright

Oxford University Rugby Football Club (OURFC) has a long and illustrious history of sporting distinction and remains one of the world’s leading and most renowned amateur rugby clubs. Founded in 1869, some fifteen months before the foundation of the Rugby Football Union, the story of rugby in Oxford is nearly as old as that of rugby itself.  During this time, more than 300 Oxford players have gained representative International honours; including Phil de Glanville, Joe Roff, Tyrone Howe, Anton Oliver, Simon Halliday, David Kirk and Rob Egerton.

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Since its formation, OURFC has played a significant role in the development of rugby and the various major changes the game has undertaken since its formation 125 years ago. William Webb Ellis, the alleged inventor of the game, was in fact a student at Brasenose College in 1825. In more recent times OURFC has not been shy to lead the way on matters both on and off the field, shown by the initiative taken in being the first Western rugby team to tour Japan after the Second World War in 1951 under the leadership pf Peter Fitzgerald. Oxford continues to be recognised as a breeding ground for academically gifted players, and as a club that embraces and preserves the traditional core values of the sport. Thus Oxford holds an almost unique combination of great academic achievement and British sporting tradition.

 

A household name in OURFC circles is that of Major R V Stanley, who was fondly known as "Uncle" amongst the players. He was a local man who took a great deal of interest in Oxford rugby, and through this became an England selector. He was a committed servant to the club, organising the 1894 Varsity match and fulfilling every possible role on the committee over a lengthy period spanning most of his life. As a tribute to his services, the Men's and Women's Blues still play against a Major Stanley Invitational XV every year in December.

 

Whilst OURFC’s flagship team is the Blues, they are only one of three representative sides that play a Varsity Match against Cambridge. Both the Men's and the Women's sections field three teams: on the Women's side, the Blues, Panthers (2nd XV), and Pumas (3rd XV), and on the Men's, the Blues, Greyhounds (2nd XV), and Whippets (3rd XV). The Women's Blues and Panthers compete in BUCS leagues throughout the year.

THE OUWRFC AND OURFC MERGER

In May 2015 the Oxford University Women’s Rugby Football Club – OUWRFC – officially became part of OURFC to form one ‘University Rugby Club’. The Women's Blues Varsity Match was moved to Twickenham in December of that year, replacing the Men's U21 side's spot in the double header with the Men's Blues match. In a year when the Women’s Boat Race successfully took to the Tideway and a year after the England Women’s team lifted the Rugby World Cup, this was another huge step forward for women’s sport and a big statement by Oxford University for sporting equality.

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In 2019/20 the club celebrated its 150th season with a number of events, including an Anniversary Dinner at the Hurlingham Club, London where in excess of 450 past players and guests celebrated the club’s illustrious history. Here’s to the next 150 years!

THE varsity matches

written by Tim Stevens, updated by Zed Nott

With the first Varsity Match being played in 1872, it is one of the world's longest running sporting fixtures. It represents the pinnacle of amateur and student rugby where two of the most prestigious universities in the world compete for the the title of Varsity holders. The journey to Varsity is a unique experience, endowing every player, coach and supporter with many precious memories and a spectacle steeped in tradition, pride and a culture of excellence. Despite the sometimes inclement conditions, the Varsity match was traditionally played at 2pm on the second Tuesday in December. More recently the matches have been played on the weekend, with the Women's kick off at around midday and the Men's at around 3pm.

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The histories of both the Varsity Match and of rugby union are intertwined. Oxbridge rugby has been historically, and remains, at the forefront of the development and refinement of the game. Whilst Oxford and Cambridge are not professional teams, they remain a benchmark for the game through their promotion of the rugby's traditional values and ideals. As the pinnacle of amateur sport, the Varsity Match is a unique and not to be missed sporting event. 

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The Varsity campaign starts in September of each year, before the start of Michaelmas Term, with pre-season training and an overseas tour; an opportunity for the squad to get into winning ways and experience the hospitality of a foreign country. On their return the Men's Blues will go head to head against a number of Premiership Clubs, the Women's Blues against some of the top rugby Universities in the country, and in December, the Major Stanley's XV. Traditionally the highlight of the Varsity build-up, the match against the Major Stanley's team sees the Blues come up against an invitational side for an day of festival rugby. All the games and preparations build up to what is the defining moment, and highlight, of the season – the Varsity Match. 

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The match epitomises the age-old rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge Universities and at the same time illustrates the continuing vitality and spirit of amateur rugby. The importance of the contest is highlighted by the enormous contribution Oxbridge rugby and the Varsity Match have made to the development and refinement of the game of rugby over the last 135 years. Up until 1875 the Universities fielded 20 players a-side, as was the norm for Rugby football in those early years. In that year, the Universities and their respective Blues took the initiative and changed to 15 a-side. This caught on quickly and was adopted as the international standard in 1877. 

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Only a few short months after the first international rugby match, between England and Wales, was played, the first ever Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge made its debut in February 1872 in Oxford's 'University Parks'. In that first match Oxford wore dark blue jerseys (the same as today, though at some stages they have worn white), and Cambridge played in pink, changing to their light blue and white in 1876 – and so the Dark and Light Blues were born. Ever since 1872, the Varsity has been played annually and is renowned as one of the most pulsating fixtures on the rugby calendar. The following year (February 1873) the return match was played in Cambridge on 'Parkers Piece'. In 1877 it was decided to move the match to a neutral ground and the Kennington Oval - scene of England's first home international fixture the previous year - was chosen. 

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During the 1880s the Varsity Match was played at a variety of venues including the Rectory Field, the home of Blackheath F.C. In December 1887, the match was moved to Queen's Club in Fulham. The venue had only just opened and was considered to be the best sporting club in Europe. Queen's Club continued to be the venue until the outbreak of the First World War, when all rugby matches, including Varsity, were suspended. â€‹

The Decembers of 1919 and 1920 again saw the Varsity Matches played at Queen's Club. However, by this time, it was becoming too small to accommodate the growing crowds, so, consequently, in December 1921, the Varsity Match was moved to the Rugby Football Union's ground at Twickenham where, except for the war years (when the match was played twice each year at Oxford and Cambridge respectively) it continued to be played until 2019. The uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic led the 2020 match to be delayed to July 2021, with a venue change to the Leicester Tigers' grounds. The 2022 and 2023 matches returned to Twickenham, and were played at the end of Hilary term, which has become the new traditional time of year. In 2024, the matches were moved to Saracens' stadium.

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The sole focus of OURFC, irrespective of date, location, or external circumstances, is to defeat the Tabs on the day. Oxford won the first Men's Varsity Rugby match, and of the 142 Men's matches played, Oxford have won 62, Cambridge 66, and 14 matches have been drawn, most recently in 2003.  Cambridge won the first Women's Varsity Match, and since then, of 37 matches played, Oxford have won 21, Cambridge 15, and drawn once in 2022.

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Men’s Captains 2000 – 2024

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2023/24 Jack Glover (St Peter's)

2022/23 Tom Osborne (Trinity)

2021/22 Louis Jackson (Oriel)

2020/21 George Messum (Kellogg)
2019 Ed David (St Hilda’s)
2018 Dom Waldouck (Kellogg)
2017 Conor Kearns (Jesus)
2016 Fergus Taylor (St Catz)
2015 George Messum (St Anne’s)
2014 Jacob Taylor (Keble)
2013 John Carter (Kellogg)
2012 John Carter (Kellogg)
2011 John Carter (Kellogg)
2010 Nick Haydon (University)
2009 Daniel Rosen (Worcester)
2008 Peter Clarke (St Cross)
2007 Joe Roff (Harris Manchester)
2006 Kevin Brennan (Linacre)
2005 Andrew Dalgleish (St Anne’s)
2004 David Lubans (St Anne’s)
2003 John Allen (University)
2002 Fraser Gemmell (St Catz)
2001 Brett Robinson (Wadham)
2000 Jamie Weston (Keble)

 

Women’s Captains 2000 – 2024

 

2023/24 Sophie Shams (St Edmund Hall)

2022/23 Lauren Webb (Corpus Christi)

2021/22 Jessica Abele (Exeter)

2020/21 Fiona Kennedy (St Hilda’s)
2019 Hazel Ellender (St Cross)
2018 Abby D’Cruz (Keble)
2017 Sophie Behan (St Edmund Hall)
2016 Catherine Wilcock (Wadham)
2015 Carly Bliss (St. Edmund Hall); Tess Braunerova (St Edmund Hall)
2014 Tatiana Cutts (Keble)
2013 Katie Sage (Pembroke)
2012 Rona Mitchell (St Hugh’s)

2011 Beth O’Brien (Keble)

2010 Ashley Massey (Keble)

2009 Jenny Rossdale (Jesus)

2008 Hannah Grainger Clemson (Green Templeton)

2007 Bethan Walsh (St Hilda’s)

2006 Sarah Taylor (St Hilda’s)

2005 Rebecca Young (Keble)

2004 Zahler Bryan (Magdalen)

2003 Rachel Mawle (Brasenose)

2002 Beth Temple (St Hilda’s)

2001 Karen Jones (Pembroke)

2000 Ulrika Andersson (Merton)​

Our Partners 2023/2024

OURFC would be nothing without its supporters and, significantly, its partners:

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Sponsorship

Since 1869 Oxford University Rugby has developed a unique heritage and authenticity that many of today’s professional teams could only dream of.

 

Oxford has produced over 300 international players such as Phil de Glanville, Tyrone Howe, Stuart Barnes and Manon Johnes. It has an illustrious alumni packed full of outstanding achievers with global reaching connections. A partnership with OURFC not only enables you to strengthen your business connections but also to align your brand alongside one of the most famous universities in the world.

 

Sponsorship with Oxford University Rugby will support your business’ strategic objectives

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  • Develop exposure for your brand through worldwide broadcast, print and online media coverage of the Varsity Match.

  • An opportunity to generate new business through contact with OURFC’s extensive database of personal and business contacts.

  • Develop new business relationships and attend exclusive Oxbridge events.

Individual Sponsorship Packages

All businesses are different and have their specific business objectives. For this reason the majority of OURFC sponsorship packages are individually tailored to meet the needs of each business. Whether your budget is large or small, please get in touch – we would be delighted to put together something that works for your business.

 

If you would like further information on partnership opportunities with OURFC please contact Ian Kench, General Manager (ian.kench@ourfc.org).

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