Pumas

The youngest University team at Oxford, the Pumas were founded in 2020, playing their first match, their Varsity match against Cambridge, on Saturday, 7th March 2020 (about a week before the first COVID-19 lockdown measures began). This inaugural Pumas team played in old Panthers shirts, and was many of the players’ first ever rugby match – as continues to be the case for Pumas teams.

The first Pumas team grew out of a Development squad in the Women*s section, beginning their training in Hilary of 2020, with almost all players coming in via recruitment in their colleges for the Cuppers competition. The team was coached by Pat Metcalfe-Jones (#326), assisted by some senior and injured Blues. The match was played at Oriel College Recreation Ground, and the final score was 20-10 to the Cambridge Jaguars.

Very much a development team, the Pumas provides an avenue for those interested in rugby to experience high-quality coaching in the lead up to their Varsity Match in Hilary term, and then to play a full 80-minute, 15-a-side match. Almost all Pumas players pick up a rugby ball for the first time the season they play their match, and many go on to play for the Panthers and the Blues: 25% of Pumas go on to play for the Panthers, and there have been 12 Pumas that went on to win Blues. However, as the Women*s programme at Oxford continues to grow, more and more Pumas put on their shirts for their Varsity match having played some BUCS games for the Panthers, demonstrating increasing depth and breadth of playing opportunities. We hope, in the near future, to provide regular games during the season for this development squad.