Oxford Rugby League
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| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Oxford Rugby League Football Club |
| Short name | Oxford |
| Colours |  |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Website | www.oxfordrl.com |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| CEO | Tony Colquitt |
| Coach | Tim Rumford |
| Captain | Vacant[1] |
| Competition | Kingstone Press League 1 |
| 2014 Championship 1 | 8th |
Oxford Rugby League is a rugby league club based in Oxford, England. Since being formed in 2012 they joined the Kingstone Press League 1 in 2013 and remain there after finishing sixth in their first season and 8th in their 2nd season.
The club were initially coached by Tony Benson. Former St Helens RFC chief executive Tony Colquitt is on the club's board, Tony Benson was assisted by former Hull and Bradford star Tevita Vaikona who has since left the club for personal reasons. Benson left in October 2014 for personal reasons.[2]
History
1976–1993: Early clubs
Oxford University has had a rugby league side since 1976 and has been competing in the annual Rugby League Varsity Match against Cambridge since 1981.
Grassroots rugby league began with the Oxford Sharks, formed in association with the Oxford University team. The Sharks dissolved in 1993, but the amateur Oxford Cavaliers were formed three years later and are still competing in the conference south division.
2012–present: Foundation and semi-pros
Oxford Rugby League was founded in 2012 and was admitted to the semi-professional League 1 in March 2013 along with Hemel Stags and Gloucestershire All-Golds as part of the RFL expansion, finishing their first season in 6th position and thus qualifying for the play-offs however they were eliminated in their first match against Hemel Stags.
In 2014 they announced a link up between local amateur side Oxford Cavaliers to establish a pathway for players in the local area this would lead the Cavaliers to establish a second team their first team will compete in the Conference League South the highest league available to sides from the south of England outside of the professional structure.
Stadiums
Iffley Road
The club play their home games at the historic Iffley Road stadium, home of Oxford University Rugby Football Club of the 'Varsity Match' fame. The ground has hosted many a high profile game in the past, including internationals, most recently last year (2012) when Iffley Road hosted Canada vs Maori All Blacks and Oxford University RFC vs Russia. The stadium is next door to the Oxford University sports centre which includes the Roger Bannister running track.
Tilsley Park
Oxford RL’s move from Iffley Road was been given the seal of approval by the RFL on 23 January 2016 and the Blues will commence operating from their new home in the 2016 season.
2016 transfers
Gains
| Player | Club | Contract length | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
 Casey Canterbury |
York City Knights | 1 Year | September 2015 |
| Errol Carter |
London Broncos | 1 Year | September 2015 |
| Santino Decaro |
Sheffield Eagles | 1 Year | September 2015 |
| Adam Flintham |
RAF | 1 Year | September 2015 |
| Kris Ford |
Southampton Spitfires | 1 Year | October 2015 |
| Tom Hall |
Coventry Bears | 1 Year | November 2015 |
| Mark Hayes |
Fryston Warriors | 1 Year | November 2015 |
| Connor Hughes |
Castleford Tigers | 1 Year | November 2015 |
| Daniel Igbinedion |
London Broncos | 1 Year | November 2015 |
| Daniel Jamieson |
Oxford Cavaliers | 1 Year | December 2015 |
 Tom Lewsley |
Mudgee Dragons | 1 Year | December 2015 |
| Jamie Mackay |
St Marys University | 1 Year | December 2015 |
| Jorge Richardson |
Featherstone Rovers | 1 Year | December 2015 |
Losses
| Player | Club | Contract length | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Biscombe |
Rochdale Hornets | 1 Year | September 2015 |
 Danny Thomas |
Hunslet Hawks | 1 Year | September 2015 |
| Aaron Jones Bishop |
Doncaster RLFC | 3 Years | September 2015 |
| Jordan Andrade |
Salford Red Devils | 2 Years | December 2015 |
| Craig Cook |
Newcastle Thunder | 1 Year | January 2016 |
| Jamie Milburn |
Hunslet Hawks | 1 Year | February 2016 |
Coaching roster
- Head Coach: Tim Rumford
- Assistant Coach: Chris Baxter
Coaching register
- Tony Benson 2013–2014[3]
Seasons
| Competition | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | League 1 | 6/9 |
| 2014 | League 1 | 8/9 |
| 2015 | League 1 | 10/14 |
Team records
Highest Attendance: 435 vs London Skolars, Championship 1, 2 March 2014
Biggest Victory: 6–28 vs South Wales Scorpions, Championship 1, 23 June 2013
Heaviest Defeat: 6–68 vs Hunslet, Challenge Cup, 16 March 2014