VAUGHAN PARRY WILLIAMS AWARD

OURFC would like to extend our warmest and proudest congratulations to Lynn Evans on winning the 2025 Vaughan Parry Williams Award for his exceptional contribution to student rugby. He was recognised by England Rugby Universities with the award and online here: Instagram.

Our profile on Lynn in the lead up to the Varsity Matches details some of his experiences with the Blues: Lynn Evans on The Varsity Matches. For his work with us and other clubs, Lynn couldn't be more deserving of recognition for his time, effort, skill, and dedication.

This speech was given at the University Rugby Development Day in April to present Lynn with the award:

Our winner this year has truly embodied a exceptional contribution to the university game. Joining OURFC in 1981 as a coach marked the start of a long and illustrious time there. He brought a professional coaching style to the student game, creating an atmosphere that attracted internationals due to its high level. He worked with and learned from coaches like Pierre Villepreux (Toulouse) among many others to improve his own coaching and the player experience for a generation of Dark Blues. 

As an advocate for player-centred coaching, he was unrivalled in his passion for putting the player before everything else. He was at the forefront of coaching through game play, constraints-led coaching, and empowering his players to find solutions. He instigated a style of play which moved the ball around, focused on creating a high standard year round and for every player on the pitch as opposed to fixating on winning the Varsity Match - although he was successful here too, breaking a Cambridge winning streak within three years of his arrival. 

He is fondly remembered by his players as someone who created a club culture that had heart. He encouraged singing on all his tours and after most games, and truly invested in his players as people, even bringing some of them into his home to stay! He remains a fixture at OURFC to this day, coming to the offices at least once a month to offer support and advice to current staff and players.  

Outside of OURFC, this individual has influenced thousands of coaches, many of whom are still coaching at a high level today, through his work in the early days of the RFU Rugby Development Department and the Coach Development Team. He founded Littlemore RFC in 1976, later moving on to lead at Chinnor RFC. He also contributed to the Penguins touring side, influencing yet more players and coaches around the world. 

An incredibly well-known and well-loved figure in local, national, and global rugby, it is an honour to award the Vaughan Parry Williams Award to Lynn Evans.