Oxford Harlequins Rugby Football Club
| Full name | Oxford Harlequins Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Union | Oxfordshire RFU |
| Nickname(s) | Quins |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Location | Horspath Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Ground(s) | Horspath Sports Ground, Oxford (Capacity: 500) |
| Chairman | Neil Hopper |
| CEO | Stuart Wells |
| President | David Woodward |
| Coach(es) | Pete Davies |
| Captain(s) | Olly Rees, Allan Purchase |
| League(s) | South West 1 East |
| 2019–20 | 4th |
| Official website | |
| www | |
Oxford Harlequins Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Oxford. In the 2013–14 season they gained promotion into the National League 3 South West which is level five of the English rugby union system although they are currently in South West 1 East. The Director of Rugby is Stuart Wells and the Head Coach is Pete Davies.[1]
History[]
The club was formed in 1996 following the merger of Oxford Marathons and Oxford Old Boys rugby clubs.[2] Oxford Harlequins are now the leading club in the City of Oxford taking over from Oxford R.F.C. who now play in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship.[3]
Current situation[]
In 2015 a possible merger between Oxford RFC and Oxford Harlequins failed to materialise and the Harlequins moved their matches to Marston Ferry Road.[4]
In 2018 Oxford Harlequins moved from Marston Ferry Road to Horspath Sports Ground following the grant of a 30-year lease on the ground from Oxford City Council and the decision by the RFU to invest over £750,000 to build a new floodlit artificial turf rugby pitch at the new site.[5]
The 1st XV currently plays in the South West Division.[6] Training is on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and matches are played on Saturdays throughout the season.
The 2nd XV ended the 2018 season top of BBO 3.[7]
The club runs an Under 16 to Under 18 Academy sponsored by Jack Barclay Bentley and run by Head Coach and former Premiership Player, Alan Awcock.[8]
Oxford Harlequins runs a large Mini and Junior Youth section for boys and girls aged 5 to 18, as of 2018 the youth section was one of the largest in Oxfordshire with over 450 players.[9]
Ahead of the 2019/20 season Oxford Brookes RFC moved operations from Oxford R.F.C. over to Horspath Sports Ground.[10]
Honours (Oxford Harlequins)[]
1st team:
- Southern Counties North champions: 2001–02
- South West Division 1 East champions (2): 2002–03, 2013–14
- Oxfordshire RFU County Cup winners (6): 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014[a]
2nd team:
- Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier A champions: 2006–07
4th team:
- Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 South champions: 2004–05
Honours (founder clubs)[]
Oxford Marathon
- Bucks/Oxon 1 champions: 1992–93
Oxford Old Boys
- Oxfordshire RFU County Cup winners (3): 1972, 1974, 1984
- Bucks/Oxon 1 champions: 1995–96
- Middlesex Sevens finalists: 1982
Notes[]
- ^ Oxford Harlequins have 9 cup wins if you count the 3 titles won by Oxford Old Boys (who would merge with Oxford Marathons to form the Harlequins in 1996).
References[]
- ^ "Oxford Mail Article". oxfordmail.co.uk.
- ^ "Rugby Union in Oxford". Oxford Mail.
- ^ "Oxford Harlequins history". Oxford Harlequins.co.uk.
- ^ "RUGBY: Harlequins and Oxford to go their separate ways". Oxford Mail.
- ^ Johnson, Jack (19 April 2018). "RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins to bid farewell to Marston Ferry Road ahead of Horspath switch". Oxford Mail.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Fixtures and League Tables". England Rugby.
- ^ "RFU".
- ^ https://www.jackbarclayrugby.academy/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Oxford Harlequins".
- ^ https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/17657677.oxford-brookes-university-rfc-move-horspath-sports-ground/
External links[]
- English rugby union teams
- Rugby clubs established in 1996
- 1996 establishments in England
- Sport in Oxford
- Rugby union in Oxfordshire