Oxford University RFC Announces Partnership with St Edward’s School

Oxford University Rugby Football Club is delighted to announce a new partnership with St Edward’s School, Oxford, bringing together two historic Oxford institutions through rugby, education and the development of young people.

The partnership will create a closer connection between St Edward’s and OURFC, providing pupils and prospective students with opportunities to experience Oxford University, engage with OURFC players and staff, and gain a greater insight into combining high-level rugby with academic ambition.

Friday Night Lights at Iffley Road

One of the first major events of the partnership will take place on Friday 25th September, when St Edward’s face Abingdon School under the lights at Iffley Road, kicking off at 6:45pm.

The showpiece fixture will give players, families, pupils and the wider St Edward’s community the opportunity to experience a match-day at the home of Oxford University Rugby.

OURFC will support the event through the use of Iffley Road, ticketing and match-day hospitality, including a pre-match dinner and post-match food for players, officials and staff.

Creating a Pathway from School to Oxford

The fixture will form part of a wider Sixth Form Rugby Experience Day, delivered in conjunction with St Edward’s, Gloucester Rugby and Oxford University RFC.

The day has been designed to showcase the opportunities available to ambitious young rugby players both on and off the field.

Prospective pupils will hear from representatives of St Edward’s, Gloucester Rugby and Oxford University before taking part in a training session led by Gloucester Rugby Academy staff.

The afternoon will then provide an introduction to Oxford University, including a college tour and guidance around the admissions process.

OURFC will play a particular role in supporting academically ambitious rugby players who may be considering Oxford, helping them understand the application process and how they can combine studying at one of the world's leading universities with playing high-level rugby.

The group will then return to Iffley Road in the evening to watch St Edward’s take on Abingdon under the lights.

A Partnership Beyond Matchday

The relationship will extend throughout the 2026/27 season and beyond.

OURFC players will provide mentoring and application support to St Edward’s rugby players considering Oxford, sharing their own experiences and helping prospective applicants better understand university life.

Through the Club’s connections across the University, OURFC will also help facilitate informal introductions to relevant Oxford colleges and academic departments where appropriate.

St Edward’s will have a visible presence at Iffley Road through pitch-side branding, while both organisations will work together to promote the partnership and the opportunities it creates.

St Edward’s will also support OURFC in encouraging academically strong rugby players to consider Oxford as a university destination, while pupils will have the opportunity to experience another of Oxford rugby’s great traditions through The Varsity Matches.

Scott Hall, Head of Partnerships at Oxford University RFC, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome St Edward’s as a partner of OURFC. With Teddies right on our doorstep, it makes complete sense for us to build a closer relationship and look at how we can create more opportunities together.

“For OURFC, one of the most exciting parts of the partnership is being able to open up Iffley Road and the wider Oxford experience to ambitious young people. Whether that’s playing under the lights, visiting colleges or speaking directly to our players about their own journey into Oxford, we want to give pupils a genuine insight into what combining top-level education and rugby can look like.

“We’re really looking forward to getting the partnership underway and seeing the relationship grow over the coming seasons.”

Joe Winpenny, Head of Rugby at St Edwards said:

“It’s wonderful to have forged a partnership with such an historic club like OURFC, a place I know well from my time as their Rugby Development Officer. It brings together 2 of the most recognisable rugby brands within the city. The partnership will help us to continue to develop our showpiece event at Iffley Road each year with a view of making it the biggest Schoolboy rugby event locally but also provides our academically aspirational players with guidance, advice and support around Oxford admissions."

The partnership represents another step in OURFC’s commitment to using its unique position within Oxford to connect rugby, education and opportunity, while giving ambitious young players a clearer understanding of the pathway into Oxford University.

Both organisations look forward to developing the relationship throughout the 2026/27 season and welcoming the St Edward’s community to Iffley Road.

Purchase tickets for the event here: https://www.ourfc.org/tickets