With its extended clubhouse facilities opened just under two years ago, during the Club’s closed season volunteers have been busy extending the patio area, building a bespoke BBQ station and replacing their old patio furniture with updated recycled plastic benches.
Witney RFC is a non-profit club which is run by volunteers to provide rugby facilities for all abilities and backgrounds. Thanks to the support they receive from their sponsors, grant funding and an RFU loan, they have some of the best facilities in the county. This enables 150 plus men and women to play competitive rugby along with over 400 boys and girls, aged 4 to 18, to enjoy rugby and exercise in the fresh air. They now have a SEND team ‘Witney Wolves’ whose success is such that the Club has not only been asked by other Oxfordshire clubs for advice on how to set up SEND teams, but their mutual SEND teams now play friendly matches locally.
The Club now sees fifty plus players involved in touch rugby playing all year round. Derived from rugby football, touch rugby sees player touching their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing or the ball instead of tackling each other physically. Developed by the Rugby League, touch rugby games can be played as training activities and offers a safer variant for junior players.
They also have a Walking Rugby team with around 25 players who play matches on a friendly basis around the county. Walking Rugby has experienced a strong organic growth in recent years and has acted as the catalyst in attracting many people back into playing rugby due to its various health and fitness benefits and a strong sense of fun and enjoyment. It is a slower paced version of the sport, which is accessible to all regardless of age, health and ability. The sessions allow community cohesion and social inclusion, bringing people together in the community and being able to get together before and after sessions. Walking Rugby is a non- contact sport and is suitable for both females and males to participate in.
If you are interested in joining Witney RFC or would like to support the Club in any way, either as a volunteer or a sponsor email witneyrfc@btinternet.com or visit Witney RFC’s website witneyrfc.rfu.club.
