U13-U15 Boys provisional county cup dates 24/5 season

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.

Christine and Mark Boland at HQ

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.

Jonathan Richard Dance (RIP)

 

 

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

U18s draw against Somerset

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.

Our U18s County Squad

Congratulations to the 31 players selected for the Oxfordshire U18 County Short Squad following a very encouraging development game against Warwickshire last weekend. From this Short Squad, 23 players will be selected for each of the three South West Division selection games which are played in December and January. Thank you to all players who participated in the selection process; you gave our coaches some difficult decisions to make as competition for places was strong. For those not selected there will be further opportunities to play for county; the younger players will be eligible for the County U17 programme starting in February and the older ones for the County U20 programme.

 

Ertie  Anthony Chipping Norton RUFC 
Isaac  Archer Oxford Harlequins RFC
Ewan Barry Chinnor RFC
Will Basnett Chinnor RFC
Ryan Bayliss Chinnor RFC
Callum Beattie Banbury RFC
Jamie Bush Witney RFC
Connor Calver Bicester RUFC
Arthur Carluci Wallingford RFC
Peter Clayton-Chance Wallingford RFC
Jamie Courtier-Dutton Harwell RFC
Thomas Emanuel-Williams Oxford RFC
Sam Footner  Witney RFC
Ross Gray Oxford Harlequins RFC
Joe Hemmings Banbury RFC
William Ison Magdalen College School
David Jenkins Chipping Norton RFUC
William  Jones Bicester RUFC
Charlie Kerton Cokethorpe
Charlie King Bicester RUFC
Jamie Kirkup Chipping Norton RFUC
Findlay Knox Witney RFC
Harry Maggs Bicester RUFC
Edward (Woody) Morgan Harwell RFC
Frankie Oliver Oxford Harlequins RFC
William Rollason Bicester RUFC
Jake  Stainton Chinnor RFC
Angus Thomas Chinnor RFC
Sidie  Turay  Oxford RFC
Henry Wheeler Chipping Norton RFUC
Tom Wilson Chipping Norton RFUC

County Rugby Safe lead needed

Purpose
Player Welfare, and making rugby as safe as possible, is the joint responsibility of all involved in the game. It is important that good practice is embedded across all clubs to support the promotion of a proactive approach to player welfare and safety. We are looking for someone to support rugby safe across the county and help our clubs to implement and maintain best practise. As such you will be the RFU focal point for Oxfordshire.

Although written from a club perspective key aspects of the role include:

1. First Aid / Immediate Care Pitch-side Provision
Support/Review our Oxfordshire clubs risk assessments and RFU’s recommended minimum levels of immediate care (IC) and/or first aid (FA) guidelines to identify what level of first aid/immediate care is needed. Assist clubs in creating plans to ensure that every training session and match is covered by an appropriately qualified First Aider/Immediate Care Practitioner.

2. Training & Equipment
Organise training to ensure all club appointed first aiders are trained and up-to-date with an appropriate level of qualification in line with RFU guidelines (e.g. RFU Emergency First aid in
Rugby Union course). Manage the stocking and general maintenance of first aid supplies and equipment, making sure the first aid equipment and kits are suitable for the level/amount of
activity and those trained to use it.

3. Emergency Action Plan
Along with key personnel in each club, develop an Emergency Action Plan to ensure there is a clear process in the event of an incident/injury. Develop a process to ensure that these
procedures are known and understood amongst appropriate individuals in the club.

4. Reporting
Ensure there are processes in place to keep records of player medical conditions, monitor injuries and report incidents/injuries as they happen in line with RFU regulations.

5. RugbySafe

Utilise the RFUs RugbySafe scheme and guidelines (e.g. management of concussion), work with other key personnel (e.g. coach coordinator and safeguarding officer) to support wider best
practice and ensure that all club volunteers and parents are aware of how to support player welfare.

Is this the role for you?
If you are practical, organised and have a passion for making sure that rugby is played in a safe and enjoyable environment with player welfare at the heart, this could be the role for you.

Please contact our secretary if interested/for more information.