It was a day to remember at the home of English rugby, as Paul Chrisp of Bicester RUFC was honoured with the prestigious Honda UK Volunteer Award at Twickenham. A lifelong servant to the game and a cornerstone of grassroots rugby in Oxfordshire, Paul was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the sport—a testament to his unwavering dedication, humility, and passion.

The award ceremony was made even more special as Paul enjoyed the matchday experience of a lifetime. Hosted by Oxfordshire RFU council member Rob Walsh in the iconic Royal Box, Paul watched the Red Roses edge out France in a breathtaking 43-42 thriller. It was a fitting reward for a man whose rugby spirit embodies everything the game stands for—community, commitment, and camaraderie.

From coaching and mentoring to volunteering behind the scenes, Paul has long been a driving force at Bicester RUFC. His tireless work has impacted countless players, coaches, and supporters over the years, helping to grow and sustain the sport at a grassroots level. Whether it’s lining the pitches or leading from the front, Paul’s involvement is felt in every corner of the club.

Congratulations, Paul, on this richly deserved honour. The entire rugby community in Oxfordshire—and beyond—celebrates with you. Thank you for everything you do. You truly are a rugby person in every sense of the word.

Our U16 PDG Squad ready to travel to face Staffordshire on Sunday.

Kites Eagles
Staffordshire RFU
Sunday 6th April
️ 2:00pm
️ Burton RFC, DE13 9FF

Please find below details of Andrew Tacon’s funeral for anyone wanting to know.

The RFU’s National Youth Council (NYC) is on a mission to ignite the passion for rugby and is currently seeking enthusiastic new members to join its ranks.

This is your chance to make a genuine impact in the future of rugby! If you’re aged between 18-23, this is an incredible opportunity to not only influence the sport’s development but also to acquire invaluable skills and become an integral part of the NYC.

Members of the NYC play a vital role in various RFU sub-committees and working groups, helping to identify and nurture initiatives that will foster significant growth in the game and enhance youth representation.

We are looking for individuals who are not only passionate about rugby but who are also driven to make a difference. If you have the enthusiasm to champion ideas and projects that will propel the sport forward, we want to hear from you!

If this sounds like you, more information – including how to apply- can be found by clicking the link below.

https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-media/make-difference-joining-rfus-national-youth-council

The closing date for applications is Friday 11th April.

It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Tacon on the 13th March 2025. Andy was a treasured member of the Witney RFC family and Oxfordshire RFU treasurer, who contributed so much. He will be greatly missed by all his Witney rugby family aswell as the exec board our thoughts go out to his family and friends RIP Andy

With the Women’s Rugby World Cup taking place here in England this year, it’s an incredibly exciting time to join the RFU and working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a Competitions Activator to join our Player Experience team on a fixed term basis.

https://ecer.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/356

️ Deadline Sunday 30th March

February 2025 – Grove RFC 1st XV