Following lengthy discussions and consultation with their alumni, Oxford University Women’s Rugby Club voted at their AGM on Tuesday 10th March to a merger of the women’s club with the men’s club to be implemented over the next 12 months.
The decision has been taken alongside the move of the Women’s Varsity Match to Twickenham in December 2015 and will form part of the long-term development plan for women’s rugby across the university.
Men’s Captain George Messum commented: “I am delighted that the women’s club has voted to merge with OURFC in the coming season, they will be integral to the long term success of this club and I look forward to working with Carly Bliss as the newly elected Captain in further developing the women’s game across the university and OURFC as a whole in the coming season.”
Women’s Captain Carly Bliss added: “We are thrilled to be merging with OURFC and welcome their support, encouragement and wealth of experience. The identity and future of women’s rugby at Oxford University has been secured by the hard work of past and current members of OUWRFC, and the decision to host the Women’s Varsity Match at Twickenham in 2015 is an important landmark in those endeavours. In light of the new challenges that this will entail, the merger will perform a crucial role in raising the standard and profile of the women’s game, and contributing to the local and worldwide development of a level playing field for all athletes.”
For more information or to request an interview contact Matt Pickles on 01865 280532 or matt.pickles@admin.ox.ac.uk or Tim Stevens on 01865 432000 ourfc@sport.ox.ac.uk