Interested in player insurance via Howdens? See this presentation.

Oxfordshire RFU – (Howden) Income Accident Cover (Club Player Presentation)v2

The following is the citation for Paul (written by then club captain “Cheese”) and read at the AGM of ORFU on 24th July 2024 – although our Chairman Pete Bramley did embellish it somewhat on the night.

“Paul started reporting on Bicester RFC games back in the early 1990’s when Bicester were on the second year of their “Twickenham” journey and Paul had approached the club captain at the time and asked if he minded if he followed the team  and did a match report for the club on the games. Of course the club said yes to him not really knowing  that 34 years+ he would still be doing it!

His status as club legend was cemented when Bicester were drawn to Ongar RFC in Essex. We were so busy with sorting the team and coaches etc. we never really had a moment to think  about Paul and as he had not been to an away game before he was not really on our radar. But, sure as sure, he turned up on the touchline in his usual raincoat and cap and with his notebook and proceeded to meticulously gather all the information from both teams and when I asked him who gave him a lift he replied that he didn’t want to put anyone out so he made his own way to the game via public transport! (Bus, train, and taxi). Not an easy journey even for a seasoned traveller, the legend was born!

From that moment come rain, snow, frost, and sunshine he has been a permanent fixture at 1st XV games home and away and also at some of the 2nd XV, colts, and Vixens games also. He soon took on the official title of press secretary and to this day he continues to work tirelessly to maintain his own very high standards. During his time Paul has probably missed less than half a dozen games.

Most, if not all of our regular opponents now know Paul and are always ready to welcome him to their club as they know he will always be fair and unbiased with his reports. His polite, and unassuming attitude mixed with a dogged determination to get it right is admired by so many. His reports are read far and wide by ex-players/supporters who have moved away, they always make mention of looking forward to reading them.

Paul also has a love of Port and so much so that Bicester now hold a “Port and Pie” evening where players are asked to provide a bottle of Port in Paul’s honour, which is, of course, mostly consumed by all on the night. He has of course been known to partake in a tipple on the said night, and if you ever call in at his home he will always be ready to share a glass or two and chat about games past, present and future.

To conclude…

Paul is one in a million, a staunch club man, fuelled by his love of the games and of course Bicester RUFC.”

The following are the provisional dates for the ORFU county cup for season 24/5. They are for Boys at U13 to U15 (girls are managed out of county so dates are not yet available).

Please note that the U14 and U15 competitions will only go ahead next season if someone steps up to run them. This will be discussed at the clubs meeting on 13th March 2024.

Emails for questions about next years competition should now go to the following emails:

U13 – click here.

U14 – click here.

U15 – click here.

Sign up here….

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=FMgGcSyloEi959o21DEbVcK_EqjSdGFEqi2GEEC8n01UQUVEUVBMTDJPWUJUSUZIT0ZNRVhRTFdQRS4u

Pictured in the royal box are Christine and Mark Boland from Banbury RUFC who were guests of ORFU at Twickenham for the England Vs Ireland match. Council Member Rob Walsh was kind enough to host.

They were recognised for their contribution to rugby in the county as voted by the ORFU committee.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jon Dance from Berkshire RFU. The “write up” we were provided can be found below but as Oxfordshire RFU we would add that we worked with him on both the South West Regional Organising Committee and the BBO committee. He did a lot for our Oxfordshire Rugbyand in the words of one of our committee members ““Jon was a one off, cared about our game, and gave so much of his time to it.” RIP Jon

Jonathan Richard Dance

1947 – 2024

Jon very sadly died suddenly on Thursday 18th January 2024 and leaves behind a huge legacy having spent an immeasurable amount of time dedicated to the game of Rugby Football during his 76 years.

He was a Club man first and foremost, joining Bracknell RFC in 1972. He played as hooker until a shoulder injury curtailed his on-field activity, but he went onto to excel off the field holding numerous roles including being President for an unprecedented 36 years. His efforts, along with many others, in no small way have made the Club as successful as it is today.

Jon was also “Mr Berkshire” for many years, serving on the Berkshire Committee since 1977 in multiple roles including Team Manager, Competitions Chair, County Treasurer for 10 years (1982-92), President (1992-94) before becoming Berkshire Representative on the RFU Council (1994 – 2013). His knowledge of regulation was unequalled and he was still Chair of the Berkshire Disciplinary Committee at his untimely passing. He also re-wrote, along with Peter Ringrow, the Berkshire RFU Constitution in 2002, which modernised the way Berkshire RFU operated and made it more accountable to it’s member Clubs. The Berkshire Trust Fund, which loans money to Clubs for capital projects, was also the brainchild of Messers Dance & Ringrow and continues to be available to County Clubs today.

When the English Clubs Championships were set up in 1987, Jon along with his great friend Tony Boyer, were instrumental in looking after the interest of Berkshire Clubs and he became a member of the South West Divisional Organising Committee in 1993. His in depth knowledge of Competitions saw him at the forefront of the organisation and he remained an active League Secretary and member of the BBO Committee up until his death.

Jon rose through the ranks of the RFU Council very quickly when he joined in 1994, he was appointed to the Management Board of the RFU within 12 months and soon became an integral part of the organisation. Again, he held multiple positions, Chair of Competitions, RFU Legal Officer, Finance, Pensions, International Tickets, represented the RFU on the Six Nations, FIRA (now Rugby Europe), ERC, IRB (now World Rugby) and was a member of the successful RWC 2015 bid team. His term of office culminated in becoming RFU President in Season 2014-15, chairing the RFU Council with his inimitable style & wit.

There simply will never be another Jonathan Dance, and he will be sadly missed by his wide circle of friends, both in and out of the game, and our sincere condolences go to his Wife Mary, his  children Nick, Katie, Mark and Ister and the rest of the family.

RIP Jon

Our Oxfordshire U18s played their third and final South West Division selection game on Sunday 7th January.

The players put in spirited performance with the game against Somerset ending in a draw with two tries a-piece.

We should know later this week whether any of the Oxfordshire players have been selected to represent the South West Division.

Despite the cold and wet conditions our players put in a strong performance winning 15-0 against Dorset & Wiltshire. The next selection game will be on Sunday 17th December against Devon.