Oxford's first Women's Rugby Team

by Beka Hunt

For the first time in 140 years, a women's team is taking to the field for the Oxford Rugby Club.

Shara Kelsey-Ross brought the idea to fruition with the help of the club's director of rugby, and has since established a strong squad of 19. “I thought this would be my year to give playing a go, but it didn’t seem right pulling on another club's colours. So, we put a call out in the hope that we would have a women’s team repping the Red & Black and it just snowballed from there!”

The team is a mix of experienced and new players that are itching to take on the Women’s Premier Reserve grade. The season kicked off successfully with a win by default, pushing their first competition game to the 21st of April. In an incredible match, the Oxford ladies played through the rain to beat Suburbs RFC with a score of 46-10.

Kate Stevenson, number 2, explained that the team pulled together as a united and unwavering front (after a few nervous trips to the bathroom).

“As soon as the whistle blew, after all the training we had done, we blended and ran as one team; not just as single players.” Earning the win was a welcome boost to the team's confidence, especially as it secured bragging rights over the men.

Now, with the first game jitters out of the way, the team can focus on building their game through the season, with player/coach Zoe Johnson and manager Suzie Soper.

Hannah Annear

Rio Coster

Sally Davies

Charlotte Evans

Grace Ford

Patrice Garrick

The ladies are aware of the significance this holds for the Oxford Rugby club, and are determined to succeed for the younger female players that will follow in their footsteps.“We want to go all the way to the finals and to show any young girls that there is now a pathway for them within the club. They don’t have to stop playing at U13 like previous generations.” Of course, the team plays for their love of the sport too, adding ,“we’re looking forward to improving, growing confident, growing as a team and having a cold bevvy at the end of it- win or lose!”

For updates and game times (or cold bevvy opportunities), you can find their Instagram with the handle ‘oxfordwomensrugby’, or head to the Oxford RFC Facebook page.

Spectators are always welcome at the Friday night games, and the location is posted on the socials each week. For the first time in 140 years, there is an opportunity to become part of the Oxford Women's Rugby story, with a team that is developing a strong foundation for future players. Hannah Annear, a proud player in the red and black, knows that women's representation in the higher grades is incredibly important. “As with any sport, it gives the ability for girls to see past what is generally expected of them from previous generations. It will help girls and women alike to become positive, self aware, impactful adults with the ability to adjust to situations that may be mentally testing.”

Oxford Women’s Premier Reserve squad

Zoe Johnson

Shara Kelsey-Ross

Zoe Knox

Allie Langlands

Britt Liles

Kerry McCorry

Claud Mehrtens

Heather Muldoon

Kelly Rotch

Kate Stevenson

Millie Swinburn

Charna Thompson

Emma Young