Chairman’sReport
OurSponsors
ClubSecretary’sReport
DirectorofRugby’sReport
HeadCoach’sReport
HeadPhysio’sReport
1stXVSeniorMen’sTeam
2ndXVSeniorMen’sTeam
3rdXVSeniorMen’sTeam
AngelsSeniorWoman’sXV
SeniorClubSeasonStats
M&JChairman’sReport
ColtsAcademyXV
CherubsGirl’sTeams
WizardsWalkingRugby
WolvesSENDTeam
ClubhouseReport
MediaTeamReport
WitneyRFC60thAnniversary
Eachseasonthatcomestoaclosebringsamixedfeelingof emotionsandmemoriesasonereflectsbackontheseason. Thesecanchangeovertheyearsandmayalsobedependent ontheindividualrolesyouhaveeachplayedwithintheclub landscape.Theserolesvaryfromtheobviousoneswesee, anyonewhowasluckyenoughtopullonaBlackandBlue playingshirt,tothoserolesawayfromthelimelightsuchas ensuringtheclubhouselooksamazingthroughouttheseasonor theadministrativeandsafeguardingrequirementsthatensure notonlydoweappearagreatclub,butthestructureisalsorock solidholdingitallup.
AsIreflectonmyfirstseasonintheRoleofChairman,after previouslyplaying(definitelythebestthing),coachingand takingcommitteeroles,ithasbeenayearofgettingtoknow howthecluboperatesandwatchingandlistening,andIhave enjoyedtheyearmorethanIcanhaveimagined.Weare blessedtohavesomanygreatvolunteersthatsupportthe playingofthisgreatgame,theygetonwithtakingcareofstuff andnoonehasbeentoopreciousaboutit,bloodybrilliant.
Onthepitchwehavealsoplayedsomewonderfulrugby withthefirstteamreallyhittingthegroundfromNovember onwardswithsomegreatperformances,bothathomeand alsoaway,withLonglevensbeingparticularlymemorable forme,winningthereisararefeat.HeadCoachMatt Carterstepsdownfromhisroleaftertheseasonends,and Ipassonmythanksfortheplayerdevelopmentand seeingtheseasonthroughfortheclub,andyouleavewith ourbestwishesforwhateveryoudecidecomesnext.After areallystrong24/25seasonthetwosfoundthemselves rebuildingafterdoingwhattheyaresupposedtodoand developingplayersfortheones.Aftermanyyearsof playingandlatterlycoaching(gottobenearly20yearsI reckon)SimonCopperwheatstepsdownfromcoaching theseniors.Hewasaleaguewinnerandaregularkickerof thatbeautifulball,wellplayedFloppy.Youdonotgetridof himthough;hehasagreedtobecomefirstteammanager nextseason!OurthirdXV,TheMightyMrsSnatchwhistles BarmyArmyunderthedirectionofCarlStrutt,withWayne CaffekayandPeteHolidaysupporting,haveagainhada wonderfulseason.Playingmanyfirstandsecondteams theywillfinishtheseasonwellupthetable,asthey deserveto.Thisteamareagreatwaytobeintroducedto socialrugby,wheretherugbyistakenveryseriously,but individualsnevertakethemselvestooseriously.Carlalso stepsdownfromleadingattheendofthisseasonandour thanksgotohimforthe4yearshiftofherdingthewaifs andstraysofWitney,bravoCarlosFandango.
Throughouttheclubotherteamshavealsohadsuccess, TheAngelshavedeliveredontheirearlyseasonstrategy ofrebuildingbyplayingfriendliesandavibrant atmospherehasbeencreatedbyKateNichols,Sarah Dunbar(Smorley),AlexRosenbergandSteveDeeandI amconvincednextseasonwillseethiscontinue.The Wizardsalsocarriedonthetrajectoryofgrowthandfun withabrandofwalkingrugbyIhearddescribedasa brilliantsocialwithballsthrownin!Manyfixtureswere completedthisseasonandIbelieveClubSecretary DerrickFoxwasahattrickscorerinonegame….jugplease Foxy!
IhaveworkedcloselywiththeMiniandJuniorChairmanDaleHeastwhoalsocomestotheendofhis firstyearinroleandhehasdoneabrilliantjobinmanagingtheyouthsectionoftheclub.Dalehas becomeagoodfriendandconfidantandoverthenextfewyearsIamexcitedaboutwhatwecanhelp delivertokeeptheclubstrivingforward.DoreadDalesreportastheminisandjuniorshasrugby availableforeveryonethisseasonforthefirsttimeinourhistory,withgirlsteamsplayingatUnder12, Under14andUnder16addedtoallofouragegroupteamsandthewonderfulWolvesSENDteam, anothergreatachievement.
ThankstoIanandAnnetteforkeepingtheclubhouselookinggreat,brilliantfoodbeingproducedto ensurewekeepputtinggoodsizedfrontrowsoutand,mostimportantly,fortheBEER,wonderful.You andtheteamyouhaveputtogetherreallyarethewindowforallthevisitorswereceiveandwe continuallythroughouttheseasonreceivecomplimentsabouttheclubandthestaff.Thewhole committeealsodeservethanks,withTreasurerMossyensuringthenumbersalladdup(roughly)John WilliamsasCommercialSponsorshipmanfindingbusinessesthatlovetobeassociatedwiththeclub, DarrenWebbourgotofixerandBobFisk,Chairmanslunchorganiserextraordinaire(Toasteranyone?).
IhopeeveryoneenjoysthesummerandBarbecueseasonandisraringtogoagaincomeSeptember, andmyfinaltoastgoestotheplayers,here’stoyou,cheers.
Andy AndyMerriman Chairman
WitneyRFCwouldliketoextendour sincerethankstoallofourvalued sponsorsfortheircontinued supportthroughouttheseason.
Yourcommitmenttotheclubplays avitalroleineverythingwedo, bothonandoffthepitch.From supportingourplayersand facilitiestohelpingusgrowasa communityclub,yourcontribution trulymakesadifference.
Weareincrediblygratefulforyour partnershipandongoingbeliefin WitneyRFC.
The2025-26SeasonhasbeenayearofchangeatthetopforWitneyRFC. AndyMerrimanhastakenoverfromBobFiskasClubChairman.AndyMoss hasbecometheTreasurer,havingsteppedinlastseasonfollowingthe suddendeathofAndyTacon.Therehavealsobeenchangestothecoaching teamonthepitchtoo,withMattCartertakingoverasHeadCoach.
Theclub’sphilosophythisyearhasbeentoconsolidateonthegainsmade inpreviousyearsandtocontrolexpenditure,thusenablingustorebuildthe club’sfinancialreserves.Wearehoweverlookingtothefuture,toseewhat otherimprovementsweneedtomake,bothonandoffthepitch.
WeweredelightedtohaveavisittotheclubfromtheRFUChiefExecutive,Bill Sweeney.Hewasverycomplimentaryinhiscomments.“Witneyareoneof thebestcommunityclubsIhavevisitedsincejoiningEnglandRugby,their workindevelopingplayers,offeringalltypesofrugby,revenuegeneration andfinancialmanagementareoutstanding”.
Ouraimistoremainacommunityclub.However,weremainambitiousto continuetoimprovebothonandoffthepitch.Weareindebtedtoallour players,ourstaff,ourcoachingteams,ourvolunteers,ourcommittee membersandahugethankyoutooursponsors.
DerrickFox ClubSecretary
WitneyRFCcontinuestogogrow,becomingmorerenowned acrossthecountrythroughinteractionwiththeleadersofthe game.IntherecentpastitwasRFUPresidentRobUdwinsinging thepraisesoftheclub.ThisseasonithasseenRFUCEOBill SweeneytakingtimeouthisbusydiarytospendaSunday morningwiththeclub.TheconversationsIhavehadwithhim sincehavebeenpositiveabouttheclubandespeciallythe people.HeusedclubslikeWitneyasanexampleofhowtoruna rugbyclubonarecentsocialmediapiece.Heisverymuch lookingforwardtocomingbackatsomestagetowatchagame, furtherimpressedwithKatierepresentingthecommunitygame atDowningStreetthisyear.
Thecommitment,investmentanddedicationshownoffthepitch, isfullymatchedonthepitchbythosedeliveringandsupporting.
ThegrowthintheWomen’sandGirlssectionisaheadofNational averages,theinterestcontinuingtogrowfromWorldCup2025to theWomen’s6NationswhichwillcontinuetobenefitWitney.This isstartingtopayoffasplayersfortheCherubsmovinguptothe Angels,therecruitmentintotheCherubswillhopefullysustain andcontinuetoprogresstheWomen’sandGirlssideoftheclub. Thisagaindowntotheexcellentworkofthecoachesandarea whichstillhasmuchopportunityinitforthosewhocommit.
TheplatformdeliveredforallM&Jplayersisexcellent,withmorevolunteersmaking themselvesavailableallthetimeandpastplayersstartingtoclusteraroundtheir children’sagegroupswhichisgreatforthefutureoftheclubforthemaleandfemale game.ItisalwaysimpressivetoseethenumberofplayersretainedbyaclubfromM&J’sto Seniorrugby.Theasterixisnexttothenameoneachprogramme,beingtestamenttothe environmentcreatedthroughouttheclub,whichbringspeoplebacktimeandagain.
AgoodpathwayisnowbeingmanagedfromAcademytoseniormensides,withmany gettinggametimeandtherighttimefortheindividualandtheclub.Thisisgreatforthe futureevenifsomepainhashadtobetakeninSeniormen’srugbythisseason.Blooding playerstogetexperience,whilstbalancingtherigorsoftheleagueprogrammehasnever beeneasy,takingthepainnowwillhopefullydevelopplayersrapidlyforthefuture.
DuringtheseasontheChairsofM&J’sandtheSeniorClub,DaleandAndyhavelookedto thefutureandrecruitedintocoachingpositionsearlyfornextseason.Peopleknowwhere theystandandforplayerstheyknowwhattoexpect.Havinganapplicationprocessand interviewingthosewhomakethesift,isimportantfortheclubtodevelopandcoaches knowingtheyneedtoinvestinthemselvesforthelongertermoftheclub,whichwillassist theplayersdevelopment,towhateverleveltheywishtogetto.
Sowelldoneforallthisseason.GoodlucktoeveryoneinvolvedinWitneyRFCforthe seasontocome.
TugWilson–WitneyRFC
FirstlyIwanttothankAlltheSeniorandColtscoachesforthereeffortsandtimethisseasonwithoutdedicated volunteerscommunityrugbywouldn’texist.WitneyisaspecialclubfulloffantasticpeoplewhoIhavelearntwillstill shouttheladsonandsupportthroughthickorthin.AspecialmentionforJamesLambwhoIhavereallyenjoyed workingwiththisseason,JameshasbeenexcellentforthegroupandIknowyourinsafehandsmovingforwardinto nextseason.AlsotoJonHayterwhohasbeenapleasuretoworkwithasteammanager,itsnotagloriousrolebutit’s animportantandthanklessone!Totheplayersitsbeenatough,testingandsomewhatbrutalseasonwithsomedark days(Longlevens,Chippenhamathome)butalsoasprinklingoflight(LonglevensAway,ThornburyevenTrowbridgeat Home).Thetalentinthegroupishugeandthebondisunrivalled,ifyoucouldjuststopgivingteamsa21-pointhead startthenthegamewouldbemucheasier!!!IrememberwhenIfirststartedAdamoncesaidtome“themenfrom WestOxfordshirealwaysliketocomefrombehind”wellsometimes“itsoktojustcomefirst”.Thebiggestpositivethis seasonhasbeenthedevelopmentandinclusionofthecoltstoseniortrainingwhichhaspaiddividendstotheamount ofboyswhoworeaseniorshirtandbolsteredthesquadsthisseason.
NowtheHarshReality,Played22–Won6–Lost16withatotalof42pointsfinishing9 inRegional2TributeAleSevern. Thepositivesweachieved14TryBonusPointsand4LosingBonusPoints,theintenttoplay(attack)hasbeenvisibleall season.Howeverthere’sstillplentytoworkonwithouttheball.TheSevernleagueisthetoughestofallthelevel6 leaguesandthesmallmarginsmakeallthedifferenceIFthosefourlosingBPfixturesswingtheotherway(whichthey easilycouldof)thenwefinish6 anditwouldhavebeenconsideredareallysuccessfulseason.Howevertheydidn’t andwefinishjustaswedidthepreviousseason,fourthfrombottomhavingjustenoughpointstosecurelevel6rugby foranotherseason.Thebestthingaboutthatisyougetanotheropportunitytogetitright.
IpersonallywouldliketothankeveryoneatWitneyRFCformakingmyselfandfamilywelcomefromdayoneandIwish youallthesuccessinthefuture.EspeciallyIanandAnnettewhohavemadesureeventhetoughSaturdaysare bearableifyourehydrateproperly!
MattCarter SeniorMen’sHeadCoach
Quiteachangingoftheguardthisseasonwiththephysioteam.WesaidhellotoWillat thestartoftheseasonandgoodbyetohimattheendofFebruarywhenhemovedto Australia.ElliealsoleftusinOctobertomovetoLondon–abiglosstotheclubasshe hadbeenwithusforfouryearsandhadintegratedwellintotheethosoftheclub.
EllaDawkinshastakenoverlookingafterthe1 Team,allowingmetohavemy Saturdaysbackforthefirsttimein25years–thanksElla!Istillmanagedafew matchesandhavecoveredforall3teamsduringtheseason–Ihaveenjoyedthemall butamquitegladthatIcanjustcomeupandwatchwhoeverisplayingathomeona Saturdayafternoon! st
HannahMcGimpsy(Foggy!)waddledherwayaroundthepitchesatthestartofthe seasonwhilstheavilypregnantwithhernewsonJasper.Duringthistimeshealso completedherparamedictraining,graduatingwithtophonours–welldone Hannah!ShethenreturnedtodutyinMarch–perfecttimingwithWillleaving! HannahisnowbeingreferredtoasFoggyaswewerealsojoinedbyHannahRich. Hannahhasquicklybecomeanothervaluablememberoftheteambothinthe physioroomandpitchside.
WesaygoodbyetoFishwhoisstandingdownfrompitchsidehavinglookedafter mostlythe3’sforthelast16yearsorso.ThankyouforyourserviceFishandIam suretherewillbetheoddoccasioninfuturewhenwemanagetopersuadeyou backtopitchsideifneeded!
RobWayhasalsobeen‘supersub’afewtimes…thankyouRob!Yourknowledgeandexpertiseas alwaysismuchappreciatedbyusall.SotheTherapyteamfornextseasonis:
1sts–Ella
2nds–Foggy
3rds–HannahR
Supersubs–myself,Fish,RobWay
Wecanalwaysdowithmorematchdaycovertohelpcoverholidays/sicknessetcsoifyouhave anyphysio/sportstherapyfriendswhowouldbeinterestedthenpleaseaskthemtogetintouch.
WewillcontinuetoprovidetreatmentsforplayersonTuesdayandThursdayeveningsandmay alsointroduceWednesdayevenings–watchthisspace!
Wehavehadaworryingincreaseinshoulderstrappingthisseason…ifyouhaveashoulderinjury PLEASEbookintoseeussothatwecanadviseyouonhowtoimprovethingsandwealsohave RobbieRichardsonavailabletohelpwithstrengthandconditioning.PleaseDONOTthinkthat restoverthesummerwillbeenoughtosortitout–itveryveryrarelyis!Wewillstillbeatthe clubmostThursdaysoverthesummersotreatmentwillstillbeavailable–justrememberto bookin!
Enjoyyoursummerandgetfitandreadyforpre-seasoninJuly!
Sarah
Iwon’tdressitup—it’sbeenatoughseason.
Resultshaven’tgonethewaywewantedmoreoftenthannot,andthat’ssomethingwe’vegottoown asagroup.Butatthesametime,thetabledoesn’ttellthefullstoryofwherewe’reat.There’sbeena lotofgraftthisyear,andalotofgameswherewe’vebeenrightinthefight.
Theonethatprobablysumsusupbestisthe36–32losstoTrowbridge.Wewenttoetotoewith leaguewinners,matchedthemphysically,andpusheditrighttotheend,butultimatelyjustmissed out.That’sbeenabitofatheme:competingwithgoodsides,butnotalwaysgettingovertheline.
Ontheflipside,whenwe’veclicked,we’veshownexactlywhatwe’recapableof.The43–31winaway atLonglevensandthe83–22resultawayatCheltenhamweren’tflukes,theycameoffthebackof doingthebasicswell,beingdirect,andbackingourselves.Whenweplaylikethat,we’reamatchfor anyoneinthisleague.
Abigpositivethisseasonhasbeentheforwards.Weekin,weekout,we’vefrontedupandheldour ownagainsteverypackwe’vecomeupagainst.That’sgivenusaplatforminprettymuchevery game,andit’ssomethingweshouldtakerealpridein.Thebackshavealsogrownmassivelythisyear andeveryonecanseefromwherewestartedtowherewearenowisnightandday.Ashasbeensaid thepotentialofthisgroupishugeandcan’twaittoseeitcometofruition.
It’salsobeengoodtoseenewladssteppingup.CallumCope,OllieWalker,Josh Whitehead,NedSmith,EthanClark,AdenSpence,TobyHabberly,Charlie Greenslade,JacobHolland,CharlieGardner,JoeHodgesonandReubenOwenall madetheir1 teamleaguedebutsthisseasonanddidn’tlookoutofplace.That’s importantfortheclubmovingforward,weneedthatdepthandthathunger comingthrough.Wealsohad2ladsreachingthemilestoneof1001 teamcaps whichisagreatachievementsocongratstobothFinnandMarcus.
Offthepitch,theeffort’sbeenthere.Traininghasbeengoodwithgreatnumbers weekinweekoutregardlessoftheresults.Thatsaysalotaboutthegroup.Its alsogreattoseeusputtingout3teamseveryweekwithclubsaroundstruggling tofield1.
AbigmentionhastogotoMattCarterinhislastseasonas1stteamcoach.He’s putalotintothisside,andithasn’tbeenaneasyyeartobeleadingfromthe front.Thestandardshe’ssetaresomethingweneedtocarryon.Bigthanksto himandgoodluckinhisfutureventures.
Afewmorewelldeservedthankyousneedtobemade: Ian,Annette,andallthebarstaffforkeepingusfedandourthirstswellandtrulyquenched. AllthecoachesandteammanagementforgivinguptheirTuesdays,Thursdays,and Saturdaystoprepareus,pushus,andkeepusimproving.
Thecommitteeandeveryvolunteerwhokeepstheclubrunningsmoothlybehindthescenes —theworkyoudooftengoesunseenbutneverunappreciated.
Ourphysios,whokeepusonthepitch,patchusup,andsomehowgetusreadytogoagain eachweek.
Pum,fordoinganoutstandingjobmanagingthe1stXVfines.
Allclubandpersonalsponsors,whosesupportgenuinelymakesahugedifferencetowhat we’reabletodo.
Oursupportersandfamilies,whocontinuetocheer,rally,andstandbytheladsthroughthe highsandthelows.
ThereareprobablymorepeopleI’vemissed,butthetruthissimple:withouteverysingleoneof you,thisclubdoesn’tfunctionandwedon’tgettoplaythesportwelove.
Wereset,haveagreatBBQseason,hitpreseasonrunningandwegoagain,andwemakesure nextseasonlooksdifferent.
MattWebb SeniorMen’s1stXVCaptain
Fromtheoutset,itwasclearthisseasonwouldbeaboutmorethanjustresults.Witha blendofexperiencedheadsandemergingacademytalent,thefocuswasonbuilding somethingsustainable—and,importantly,enjoyable.Safetosay,wemanagedboth,with afewsorebodiesandafewbeerssunkalongtheway.
Twofixturesinparticularwilllivelonginthememory.
ThewinagainstHungerfordathomewasaproperstatementperformance—physical, disciplined,andbackedbyalevelofintensitythatshowedexactlywhatthisgroupis capableofwhenitclicks.
ThentherewasthetriptoNewbury—nevertheeasiestplacetogo.Theresultaside,it wasthemanneroftheperformancethatstoodout:resilience,togetherness,anda refusaltorollover.Thekindofdaywhereyoulearnalotaboutyoursquad…andyour recoverytimethenextmorning.
AspecialmentionhastogotoCharlieGardner,whohasembodiedwhatthisteamis about.Willingtoplayanywherehe’sasked(andprobablyafewplaceshewasn’t), alwayswithatopattitude—everysquadneedsaCharlie.
Theacademyplayershavebeenoutstandingthisseason.Steppingupintoseniorrugbyisnever easy,butEthanClarke,JamieHoyle,GeorgeSmith,SethSavage,BasilSmith,BenDilks,andJosh Gibbonhavenotjustfilledshirts—they’vemaderealcontributions.Thefutureoftheclubisinvery goodhands.
Equally,theseniorcorehaveledfromthefront.ZachWay,AdamNobbs,CharlieGreenslade,Will King,andJoshWhiteheadhaveputinconsistentperformancesallseasonwhilehelpingguideand supporttheyoungerlads.Thatbalancebetweenexperienceandyouthhasbeenkey.
Ahugethankyoutomyfellowcoaches,RobPhairandMattClarke.It’sbeenanabsolutepleasure workingalongsideyouboth—everySaturdayhasbeengenuinelyenjoyable(eventheoneswhere wequestionedallourlifechoicesaround70minutesin).
Ahugethankyoutomyfellowcoaches,RobPhairandMattClarke.It’sbeenanabsolutepleasure workingalongsideyouboth—everySaturdayhasbeengenuinelyenjoyable(eventheoneswherewe questionedallourlifechoicesaround70minutesin).
Toallourphysios thankyouforsomehowkeepingthesquadpatchedtogetherweekafterweek.A specialmentiontoHannah,whohastakenmultitaskingtoanentirelynewlevel:strappingplayers whilealsobreastfeedinganewborn.That’selite-levelcommitment arguablymoreimpressivethan anythingwemanagedonthepitch.
Thisseasonhasbeenaboutmorethanleagueposition.It’sbeenaboutbuildingaculture,giving opportunities,andenjoyingthegame.There’sbeenprogress,plentyofpositives,andastrong foundationtobuildongoingforward.
I’dalsoliketotaketheopportunitytowishmygoodmatesWayneCaffekeyandGareth“Snaz” CampbellalltheverybestastheytakeovertheVipers.
BothknowexactlywhatitmeanstorepresentWitneyRFC,andI’venodoubtthey’llbringthesame passion,energy,andcommitmenttothetouchlineastheydideverytimetheypulledontheshirt.The ladsareingreathands,andI’mexcitedtoseewheretheytaketheteamnext.
Lastly,10seasonsagoJoeRowlesaskedmeifIfanciedhelpingwiththe2ndteam…andsomehowI’ve blinkedandadecadehaspassed,Alfieis13andachopsyteenager!
Inthattime,I’vehadsomeunbelievableexperiencesandbeenluckyenoughtosharethemwithsome ofmybestmates.Therehavebeenafewhighlights(andafewmomentsweprobablyshouldn’ttalk about,Chinnoraway,thatkickoffRowler),butacouplestandout.
BeatingNewburyawaywithabare15—bothRowlerandIfullyawarewehadnobusinessbeingonthe pitchaswewereheldtogetherbytapeandalotofsweat wasoneofthoseproperawaydaywin! AnygamewebeatQuins!F**kthoseguys!
Thentherewaslastseason’s9from9afterChristmas.Whatasidethatwas…andultimatelyitearned JamesLambthe1stteamgig,sowe’lltakesomecreditforthat!
Thisseason,thehomewinagainstHungerfordranksrightupthere.Averyyoungteam,abigcrowd, andthatatmosphere—it’sexactlywhywealldoit,andit’llstaywithmeforalongtime. It’sbeenapleasure!10years…that’lldome.
Copper!xx
ItfeelslikeIstartmyreportwithasimilarsentenceeveryyear,butthisyearespecially theendoftheseasonhascomearoundfartoosoon!
It’sseemstohavebecomeatraditionthatwestartandfinishtheseasonplayingStow, wewentoverthereforthefirstgameandinaveryunsarcasticallywayitwasa glorioussunnyday.However,thatwasasgoodasitgot!They’dclearlyworkedhardin preseasonandourboyshadpunishedBBQseasonhard!OnapositivenoteJamie Hoyleplayedhisfirstseniorgameanditwasobviousthathe’sgotabrightfutureand ismorethanhappytochopapint!
Mixedresultsandunavailableplayersfollowedforthenextfewweeks,untilinearlyOctoberwetravelledtoa ridiculouslystrongChinnorside.WhenIsaystrong,theyhadabout25playersthatdidn’tevenknoweachother’s namesandabiggingerlad(nevertrustaginger)inthecentresthrowing30mpassesoffofbothhands,kicking theballthelengthofthepitchandslottingconversionfrombothtouchlines.Weturnedupwiththebare15anda slightlybrokenoriginalSpudhadcometowatchsowegothiminhiskitasquickaswecould.Needlesstosay, theyput101pointsonus!Theboysnevergaveupandtackleduntilthefinalwhistle,thisreallykickstartedour season.ThesquadbecamemoreconsistentandwewentunbeatenuntilearlyJanuary,pickingupTributeteam ofthemonthalongtheway.Hadasomeonenotdecidedtostartthrowinghaymakersinthatgamewewould havebeenundefeateduntilFebruary,asIsaidnevertrustaginger!Thedeterminationandstrengthofcharacter shownwasincredibleandsomethingyouboysshouldbeincrediblyproudof!
Unfortunately,sinceFebruarywe’veonlyplayedafewgames,duetoopposition strugglingfornumbers.Afteraverygoodseasonitsextremelyfrustratingtohaveit almostfizzleoutandjustgoestoshowhowimportantitisthatplayer’smakethemselves availableduringtheseasonratherthangoingshoppingwiththeirMrsorfilmingtoktik’s aboutwhattheyhadforbreakfastorwhateveritisthattheyouthdothesedays.There wereafewsidesintheleaguethatdidn’tsurvivetheseason.
AsalwaysPetewasthereaddingsensibleadviceanddoinghisbitsinthebackground, thankyousomuchforyouhelpovertheyears.Youarethethirdteam!MickytheFish madeacameofromtimetotimebutgenerallyforgothisbag,youweremissedthisyear mate.
Adamsteppedawayfromthe1’sandprovidedJoueonthepitchand!00%offofthetee (hiswordsnotmine)Offthepitchhislittleblackbookcameinveryhandy! Waynebecamethecaptainandwhatabrilliantideathatwas!Alwaysledbyexample andwhenhespeakstheboyslistenandIimaginewouldfollowhimanywhere!
About5yearsagoAndyaskedmetojointhe3’s coachingteam,Iwaslookingforawayofstaying involvedbuttryingtoplaylesssoIfoughtwhy not.Duringthefirstgameofthatseasonhe informedmethathewassteppingdownandthat I’dbeonmyowntheyearafter,propertuckedup!
Ithasbeenanabsoluteonhonouranda pleasuretohaveworkedtohaveworkedwith guys,thanksomuchforhavingme!Icertainly goingtomissitnextyearbutI’llstillbearound andhopingtoplayasmuchasIcan.FromwhatI hearyou’llbeinverygoodhandsnextyear,so pushonandkeepgoingfromstrengthto strength!
UPTHEBARMYARMY!!!xx
TocaptainanysideforWitneyisanhonour,buttodoitfortheBarmyArmy isauniqueexperience onewhichI’llcherishandtalkaboutinoldman’s cornerformanyyearstocome(whetheranyoneasksornot).Whataseason the3shavehad:mixingablendofoldmentoostubborntostopplaying (whilsttryingtorelivetheirglorydays),youngbucksgettingafirsttasteof men’srugby,andeveryoneelseinbetweenintoanoddbuttastygoulash onewhicheventheearliestHungarianherdsmenwouldappreciate.
Atthetimeofwriting,withonegametoplay(athometoStowII),wehave secured5 placeintheleague—anoutstandingachievementfromall involved.Intotal,78menpulledon—or,aswasmycase,squeezedinto—a shirtforthe3sthisseason.Seventy-eightplayersisseriouslyimpressive, especiallyconsideringhowmanyclubsstruggletoputteamsoutatthis level.Weweren’timmunetoiteither:wehadtoconcedeonegamethis seasonawaytoBanbury,andwealsohadfourwalkovershandedtous, showingrugbyisnotguaranteedeachweekanymore.
th
Afewmomentsstickoutfromtheseason,ourdominantvictoryoverOxford QuinsatFortressHaileyRoadinJanuarywasaparticularhighlight.Thereisa longlistofclubsthatdrawhatredfromWitneyplayersoldandnew,and Quinsarerightatthetopofeverylist—laminated,alphabetised,andkept somewheresafe.Giventhelistislong(andexpanding),youdohaveto wonderifwearetheproblem—butIcan’tentertainthatidea,giveneveryone atWitneyissoamazingandcompletelyunbiased.
Anotherbuttoughermoment,wasanarrowlossagainstBuckingham—agameweplayedwellinand could(andprobablyshould)havewon.Pressingforthescoretotieupthecontest,andthenakick forvictory,wehadapenaltyadvantagedeepintheopposition’s22.Tempersflared,afightbroke out,HarryWardbrokehiswrist,andtherefblewthewhistletoendthematch—becausenothingsays “Level9Rugby”likeanear-perfectset-upfollowedbyabsolutechaos.Evenindefeat,itwasagreat effortconsideringBuckinghambroughtseveralfirst-teamplayersandasquadof24—earningthem aplaceonthelist.
Nowforthethankyous:amassivethankyoutoeveryplayerthatturnedoutforthe3s;totheplayers thatansweredthecallwhenwewerelowonnumbers;andtotheladsthatconsistentlymade themselvesavailable oftenwithlessnoticethanatakeawaydelivery.SpecialthanksgotoPete,who turnsupeveryweek,doestheteamadmin,andimpartshiswealthofknowledgeofthegameonto thenextgeneration.Thanks,Pete.
The3sdon’tjustcometogether—there’salotofworkthatgoesintomakingsurewehaveateam eachweek.Theeffortandcommitment,thecountlessmessagesandphonecalls,andtheinevitable drop-outwhenyouthinkit’sallsortedcanmakebeingthe3 -teamcoachadifficultjob(abitlike herdingcats,ifthecatshadWhatsAppandtighthamstrings).Butoverthepastfiveseasonswehave hadamaninCarlStruttwhohasworkedtirelesslyandgiveneverythingtotherole(althoughnot alwayswithasmileonhisface!).I’msadtosayCarlissteppingawayattheendofthisseason;he’ll bemissed,andhe’llbeahardmantoreplace.Thankyou,Strutty youare,andwillalwaysbe,atrue WitneyRugbyClublegend! rd
WayneCaffekey
TheAngelshaveundertakenabusyandproductiveseasonofrebuilding.AftersayinggoodbyetoLou GrayattheendoflastseasonwesetaboutdecidingwhatwewantedtheAngelstolooklikegoing forward.Weestablishedacoachingteamdrawnfromacrosstheclub,withabroadrangeofskills: SarahDunbar,KateNicholls,AlexRosenbergandKierenFlack.WealsodecidedtowithdrawfromNC2 wherewehadplayedformanyseasons,andultimatelydecidedthatdroppingtoNC3wasnotenough ofabreakfortheteam.So,wetookthebolddecisiontohaveaseasonawayfromanyleague participation-wherewecreatedourowncalendaroffriendlieswithmorelocalteams,inordertogive ourladiesmorematchtimeinalesspressurisedenvironment,andtohelpbuildournumbers.This wasalsodrivenbythefactthatweknewwehadourfirstbigbatchofAcademygirlsfromtheCherubs comingup,whowerekeentoplaySeniorRugby.Playingoutoftheleaguewouldgiveustimeto assimilatethemintotheladieswithoutthepressuresoftheleague.
Thesedecisionshaveturnedouttobejusttherightones.TheAcademygirlshaveintegratedwiththe Ladiesfabulously,andthewholeteamhasraiseditsgameasaresult.Thecombinationofenergyand experiencewenowhaveisreallyexciting.AnumberofthesegirlsarenowalsorepresentingWitneyat Countylevel-whichissuchanachievement.Wearesoproudofthemandwhattheyhaveachieved.
Astheseasonhasgoneonandthingshavebeguntotakeshape,wegotanotherhugeboostwhen SteveDeeagreedtojointhecoachinggroup.Thepositiveenvironmentwehopewearecreatingis yieldingsomeexcellentresults,andwehavedoneasmuchwinningasloosingthisyear-whichisa hugeleapforwardfortheteam.Amongstthosewinswehaveseensomebigscores,andsome exceptionalindividualperformances.HoweverIthinkwhatwehaveenjoyedthemostistheamountof funwehavehadalongtheway-theAngelschangingroomsandtrainingsessionshavebeenfilled withfriendshipandlaughterallseasonlong,andthatispriceless.
Takingtheleapoffaiththisseasonandrebuildingtheteamhastakensomereallyhardwork,andwehave somebigthankyou’stosay.Firstly,AndyM-alwaysinourcornerandalwaysbehindusineverythingwe haveproposedandeverythingwehavewantedtodo.WearealsoreallygratefultotheSeniorCommittee, fromwhichwehavealsoenjoyedsomuchsupport.We’dalsoliketothankIanLoughboroughforallhis helpwiththeteamsheetannouncementsandmatchreports,IanandAnnetteforhelpingtogetthese gamesonandgetthemcateredfor,alongwithGlennforhisunwaveringcommitmenttoprovinguswith pitchspace.TherehasalsobeenalotofworkbehindthescenesfromsomeverycommittedAngelsto makethecalendarhappenanddoallthebackstageworkthatrequires-Ailsa,IzzyBandHettie-you havebeenamazingthisseasonandyourhardworkanddedicationdoesnotgounnoticedor unappreciated.
AttheendofthisseasonourCaptain,SarahPentecost,willbesteppingdown.Sarahhasplayedforthe Angelsforthepast16years,andhascaptainedforthelasttwo.Atthegrandoldageof48shewantsto stepbackabit.Notthatsheisslowingdown-shehastakenuplongdistancerunninginstead,andjustlast weekendcompletedtheManchesterMarathon.Wewouldliketothankherforallthetimeandenergyshe hasgiventotheteamforsolong.Shewon’tbegoingfar-SarahhasagreedtofillourTeamManagerrole nextseasonandwillcontinuetoplayfortheAngels.
WearealsoexcitedtosaythatwehaveanAngelplayingrepresentingtheRAFonthepitch!EllaScarffe wasselectedforthesquadtofacetheNavyandplayedherfirstinterservicematchlastweekend.We couldnotbemoreproudofher.
Sonowwearelookingforwardtowhatistocomenext season.TheAngelswillbeenteringtheInnerWarriorLeague, andweareeagertoseewhatwecanachievethere.Weare excitedtoseethisyear’sAcademygirlsgettheirfullsetof Angelwingsastheyturn18,andwearelookingforwardto seeingthemmentorthenextgroupofCherubstocomeupto us.Whatabrightfuturewenowhaveinladiesrugbyat Witney,withnewAngelscomingthrougheveryyearfromthe Cherubs!Wearealsoexcitedtoannouncethatwehave securedanewmainsponsorfornextseason-SFStafanwho arealreadysponsoringtheMen’sSecondTeam,willalso becometheladiessponsor.WearereallygratefultoStefan andhisteam(bigshoutouttoScott)forgettingbehind ladiesrugbyatWitneyRFC.Welookforwardtodoingsome seriouswinninginournewshirts…
Thebiggestshoutoutgoestoallourladies-the commitmentanddeterminationfromeverysingleoneofyou isthereasonwehaveachievedsomuchthisseason.Weare soproudofallofyou.Onwardsto26/27Angels!
Kate,Smorley,Alex,KierenandSteve
AfteratoughseasonlastyeartheAngelsmadethe decisiontotowithdrawfromleaguecompetitionto concentrateonrebuildingnumbers.Wehavegained severalnewplayersthisseasonaswellastheadditionof someacademygirlsandwefilledtheseasonwithour ownfriendlyfixturescalendar.
Despiteremovingourselvesfromaleaguesituationwe havestillstrivedtotrain,playandperformatoutbest. Withteamsallaroundusalsostrugglingfornumbers,this seasonhasbeenaboutcomingtogethertogiveladies gametime.
Theimprovementanddevelopmentfrombeginningto theendofseasonhasbeenimpressiveandithasbeen cleartoseethatthecommitmenttotraininghaspaidoff withtheteamtakinghomeseveralwins.
Againourfocusthisseasonwasthedevelopmentofourplayers,bothindividuallyandas acollectivewhileintegratingouracademyplayersintotheteam.Thehardworkputinto rebuildingtheCherubshasstartedtopayoffastheyfeedintotheladiesteamandwe areexcitedtohavemorecomingthroughnextseason.
NextseasonwereturntoaleagueprogrammewiththeInnerWarriorseriesandwhilethis seasonhasnotbeentheonewehadplanned,throughsheergritanddeterminationwe havecomeouttheotherendofitinastrongerandbetterplaceandwewillcarrythat intothenextseason.
Asalwayswewouldliketoextendourdeepestgratitudetotheplayers,coachingteam andvolunteers,whohavebeenbehindusallseasonhelpingtomaketherugbyhappen. Yourcontinuedpassionandcommitmentarethedrivingforcebehindtheteam's progress.
Itsveryeasytoforgetthepeoplebehindthescenesthatworksohardtomakegames happenespeciallywhenplayingoutsideofaleaguesoabigthankyoutoeveryonethat hasassistedwithgettinggamesonthisseason!!!
SarahP WitneyAngelsCaptain
1STXVSENIORMEN-TRIES
1STXVSENIORMEN-CONVERSIONS
1STXVSENIORMEN-PENALTIES
1STXVSENIORMEN-TOTALPOINTS
2NDXVSENIORMEN-PENALTIES
2NDXVSENIORMEN-TOTALPOINTS
3RDXVSENIORMEN-PENALTIES
3RDXVSENIORMEN-TOTALPOINTS
SENIORWOMEN’SXV-TRIES
SENIORWOMEN’SXV-CONVERSIONS
SENIORWOMEN’SXV-PENALTIES
SENIORWOMEN’SXV-TOTALPOINTS
SENIORMEN’SOVERVIEW
SENIORWOMAN’SOVERVIEW
SENIORMEN’SHEADLINES
SENIORWOMAN’SHEADLINES
The2025/26seasonhasbeenanotheroutstandingyearfor WitneyRFCMinis&Juniors,continuingtobuildonthe momentumofpreviousseasonsandreinforcingourpositionas oneoftheleadingyouthrugbysectionsinOxfordshire.
Over450youngplayershavepulledontheshirtthisseasonfrom Under4sthroughtoAcademy,WolvesandCherubs.Everyweek, theclubhasbeenalivewithenergy,growth,andarealpassion forthegame.
Attheheartofeverythingwedoisplayerdevelopment,andthis seasonhasdeliveredthatinabundance.Acrossallagegroups, coacheshavefocusedoncreatingfun,inclusive,and challengingenvironmentswhereplayerscangrowtheirskills, confidence,andunderstandingofthegame.Theemphasison coreskills,teamwork,andenjoymenthasbeencleartoseeevery Sunday. We’vealsoseenfantasticcommitmentfromourvolunteer coaches,AGR’sandparents.Theirdedicationensuresthatevery childhastheopportunitytoplay,improve,andfeelpartofthe Witneyrugbyfamily.Quitesimply,thesectionwouldnotfunction withoutthem.
Theclubhasproudlyhostedanumberoffixturesthroughout theseason,welcomingteamsfromacrosstheregion.These fixturesnotonlyshowcasethetalentwithinoursectionbut alsohighlightthestrongreputationWitneyRFCholdswithin thewiderrugbycommunity.
Lookingahead,weremaincommittedto:
Developingplayersateverylevel
Enhancingandexpandingourcoachingsetup
StrengtheningthetransitionintoAcademyandsenior rugby
Maintainingafun,safe,andinclusiveenvironmentforall
Asweclosetheseason,wedosowithagreatdealofpridein whathasbeenachievedandexcitementforwhatliesahead.
Finally,ahugethankyoutoeveryplayer,coach,volunteer, andparentwhohascontributedtoanotherfantasticseason.
WitneyMinis&Juniorscontinuestogofromstrengthto strength,andthatisdowntoallofyou.
Enjoythesummerbreakandwelookforwardtoseeingyou allinSeptember.
DaleHeast M&JChairman
The2025/26seasonhasbeenanotherlandmarkchapterfortheWitneyRFCAcademy.
Thedefiningfactorsbeinggrowth,grit,andtheseamlesstransitionofyouthtalentintothesenior ranks.Theteamfinishedtheleagueseasonin5thwithacommendable60%winrateand+96points difference.Thesquadsecuredsomeimpressivevictoriesintheleague,provingtheycancompeteat thehighestlevelofage-graderugbyandweknowthereisbagsmorepotentialtounlocknextyear. Theboysprobablygotsickofhearingmesaythatabitmorecomposureanddisciplinewouldreap rewardsintermsofperformancesandresults...Whenthatcametogether,itwasajoytowatch.
Truetothe“oneclub”philosophyandlivinguptotheclubmottoof“Playwithalltowin,”thefocus thisyearwasn’tjustonthescoreboard,butontheinclusivityanddevelopmentofeveryplayer.This approachpaidmassivedividendsandwe’veseenastaggering14Academyplayersmaketheleap intoseniorrugby.AspecialmentiontoReubenOwenandEthanClarke,whobothmadethe significantstepuptorepresenttheFirstXV,showcasingtheincredibletalentpipelinewehavehere. Notonlythat,but8Under17playershavemadeitthroughtotheOxfordshiretrainingsquad,whichis great.Andifthatwasn’tenough,2playersalsomadeitthroughtothefinalSouthWestU18squad–anotherremarkableachievement! SpecialmentiontootoAcademycaptain,GeorgeBoswell.Althoughinjuryunfortunatelycurtailedhis seasononthepitch,Georgeremainedavitalpresenceanddemonstratedgoodleadership throughout,whichnodoubthelpedbringthesquadtogethersoeffectively. ItwashardtopickaclearwinnerforCoachesPlayeroftheSeasonandMostImprovedPlayer,with somanystrongcandidates,butI’mdelightedthatMatthewFoordhasbeenvotedourcoaches playerANDplayersplayeroftheseason,andOwenDavieshasbeenvotedMostImprovedPlayer. Bothepitomiseallthat’sgoodaboutthisteam.Verycoachable,greatattitude,non-stopeffortin training,hardgraftonthepitchandadesiretocontinuouslyimprove.Welldeserved,bothofyou.
Lookingahead,thefutureisinincrediblysafehands.Weare thrilledtowelcomeRichieCraigasHeadCoachfornextseason, workingalongsideJoeRowles.Betweenthem,theybringa wealthofvastcoachingexperienceandadeepunderstanding oftheclub’sDNA.Ihonestlycan’tthinkofanyonebettertotake theroleon.Thefuturereallyisbrightforthisteam!
ToallthoseU18’s“ageingout”thisseason.It’sbeenablastandI amproudofwhatyou’veachievedonyourjourneythrough Juniorrugby,andsoshouldyoube.Makesureyoukeepcoming backtothebestrugbyclubintheland,keepyourbootson,and stayinlovewithrugby.
Onapersonalnote,ithasbeenmyabsolutepleasureanda privilegetoleadthecoachingteamthisseasonatthebestclub thereis.IhavebeenextremelyluckytohaveLee,Derek,Tom, DaveandDamoasacoachingteamwhohavebeenfantastic throughout.AndIamalsoeternallygratefultotheeverpresent andextremelyhardworkingVal,who,alongwithSoniahave beenexcellentAgeGroupRepsthisseasonandformany seasonsbeforethat.AlsothankstoMattandSophieonthe magicsponge.Iamindebtedtoallofyou.I’vealsobeen incrediblyfortunatetohavesuchagreatsquadofplayers.
Watchingthisgroupevolveasateam,asindividualplayersand aspeoplehasbeenanhonour.
AndyBee AcademyHeadCoach
IthasbeenanotherfantasticyearofgrowthforGirlsRugby atWitneyRFC,withourCherubsgoingfromstrengthto strength!
Withex-FirstTeamplayersandcoachesnowinvolvedin coaching,numbersrising,andthefirstU18Cherubsfeeding upintotheSeniorLadies,wearerealisingthedreamwhich startedfouryearsago.Weareproudtosaythatwenow havewhattheRFUcalls‘afullhouse’,withgirlsplayingat everyAgeGrade.Thatisquiteanachievement.
Thankyoutoallthosewhohavehelpedandengagedwith socialmediaandrecruitment,toPeteGreenatBurford Schoolforsupportingustogrowgirlsrugbyinthearea,toall ourcoachesandAGR’sforalltheiramazingcommitment, andofcourse,toourgirlsfortheiroutstandingdedication andamazingplay.
Don’ttakeourwordforit-herearethecoachestotellyou more…
AmberWarner,U16HC:
Whataseasonit’sbeen!TheU16shavegrown tremendouslyinbothconfidenceandtheirrugby abilitythisyear.Whiletherehavebeenafewtough gameswherethescoreboarddidn’treflecttheir hardworkanddetermination,everysingleplayer shouldbeasproudofwhatthey’veachieved,as thecoachingteamareoftheirpersistencethis season.
Aswereachtheendoftheseason,wesaygoodbye toTillyHeast,AmberSmith,andGabriellaRossiBlakerastheymoveuptoplayfortheAcademy andAngels.Wishingthemalltheverybestfornext seasonandtheirfutureinrugby.AndtoAmelia Day-QuiltyandCeriePallet,whohaverepresented theclubatcountylevelthisseason afantastic achievement!
Congratulationstoallthegirlsforanamazingyear, andwearelookingfortoseeingwhatthenext seasonholdsforyouall!
JamesCarter,U14HC:
It’sbeenaseasonofupsanddownsfortheU14s,but what’sreallystoodoutistheresilienceandattitudeofthe team.Withfixturescancelledorchangedandtheneedto clusterwithotherteamstokeeprugbygoing,thegirls havebeenbrilliantatadaptingandjustgettingonwithit.
They’vethrownthemselvesintoeverysessionandgame, alwayswithasmile,andbuiltastrongsenseof camaraderiealongtheway.Thatspirithasbeenareal highlightoftheseason.
Theyshouldbeproudofhowthey’vehandledthe challengesandtheprogressthey’vemadetogetherasa team.
WayneCaffekey,U12HC:
Followingsummertraining,wecametogetherinearly Septemberwithfantasticnumbersandarealopportunity tobuildastrongteamthroughouttheyear.Westarted theseasonwith12players:fivewhohadagedup,five playingupfromtheU11s,andtwonewU12s.Throughthe courseoftheyear,wepickedupadditionalplayers, finishingwith15whoplayedandtrainedregularly.
Withamixofexperience,theearlygoalwastobuildrelationships,worktogether,and concentrateonthebasics.Trainingtwiceaweek,attendancewasgreat.The enthusiasmandloveforthegamethegirlsshowedwasinfectious,andalthoughthe focussometimesshiftedtosinging,dancing,andgeneralchatter,itwasafun—andat timeschallenging—grouptoworkwith.
Itwasn’tlongbeforewehadgameslinedup,givingusascoachesvaluableinsight intowhatweneededtoworkon—andworktheydid.Throughouttheyearweplayed ninematches,attendedonePUP,wentontour,andwhenwefinishtheseasonat Banbury10swewillhaveenteredfourtournaments,includingtheMoHuntCup.
GoingontourtotheTigersChallengewasaparticularhighlight andafirstfora Witneygirls’team.Seeingthebondsgrowwithintheteam,thefuntheyhad,andthe memoriestheymadewillstaywiththem(andme)formanyyearstocome.Froma rugbyperspective,theyallplayedexceptionallyanddeservedlytook3rdplaceoutof thesixteamsthatentered.
Amassivethankyoutoeveryoneinvolved—theparentsandcoaches,butespecially theplayers.Thisisyourteam:you’veworkedincrediblyhardandshouldbeveryproud ofyourselves.Ican’twaittoseehowfaryougoonyourrugbyjourney.
OnwardsandupwardsCherubs-wearelookingforwardto26/27already!
KateandSmorley,GirlsLeads
TheWitneyWizardscontinuetogrowweekonweek.SetupinJuly2022,thenumbersattending oursessionsonThursdayeveningscontinuetoincrease.Weareplayingmorematchesand winningagainstotherclubsandinJulywewillbeattendingourfirstWalkingRugbyFestivalin Bristol.Theagerangewithinthegroupnowstretchesfrom20to80!Yes,theclub’soldestplayer PatPartridgeis80!
Ourcoachinggroupcontinuestogrow.AhugethankyouparticularlytoGareth,Ian,Scottie, John,Andy,WestyandRegfortheirworkonthis.Eachsessioninvolvesawarmupfollowedby differentcoachingsessionsandthengames.ThanksalsototheWizardsCommitteewhodoso muchworkbehindthescenes.
Thesocialaspectsremainakeyfacetofthegroup.SupperClubafterourweekly trainingsessionsaregreatfun.Evenwaterloggedpitchesdon’tstopusmeetingup witheachotherattheclub.Wehaveorganisedanumberofbreakfastsocials, currynightsandhavethoroughlyenjoyedeachotherscompany.Wesupporteach otherinsomanywaysandourinvolvementhasmanybenefitsfortheclubtoo.We havecontinuedtosponsorplayers,thisyearGeorgeBoswellandAilsaShaw.Our linkswiththeWolvesSENDgroupareespeciallystrong.
AbigthankyoutoalltheWizards.Ifyouaren’tcurrentlyinvolvedwiththegroup, comeandjoinusandseewhatyouaremissing,bothonandoffthepitch.
DerrickFox ChairmanWitneyWizards
FollowingyearsofbeingOxfordshiressoleSENDsquadwehaveseenarapidtak joiningusa“Wolves”. GosfordWolvesandWallingfordWolveswerefollowedbyBanburyWolves&Chin there’sthelikelihoodofAbingdonRFCjoiningtheWolvespacknextseason.Wewillcontinueto supporttheireffortstoenjoythemassivecommunitybenefits&fun,havingaWolvesteamaspart ofarugbyclubbrings.
Wehaveevenestablishedan“OxfordshireWolves”,representativeSENDteam,whowillplayinthe WoodenSpoonTournamentlaterthisyear.
WitneyWolveshavebeeninstrumentalinfosteringthegrowthandthisisexemplifiedbytherunning of3rd“KatieFest“.
AtournamentforWolvesandSENDteamsfarandwide,includingMirano(Italy)thisyear.
Witneyhostedthe2ndtournamentafterGosfordrantheinauguraltournamentinmemoryofKatie PeelaWallingfordWolvesplayer.
Wallingfordhostthisseasons“KatieFest”25thApril.
TofurthersupporttheWolvesfamily,WitneyRFCwillbehostinganSENDCoachingCourseinOct. (Detailstofollow)
WitneyWolveshavegrownandchangedthroughouttheyears,butrelyonstabilityandcontinuityto bestservetheplayers.
TheresaClark(AGR)hasbeenaconstantandcontinuestoleadandnavigateusonwardsand upwards.
WefeelwellsupportedbythemainclubandM&Jsectionaswecontinuetoforgelinkswithinthe club.Egextendthenumberofjointtrainingsessions/games,similartoourhookupswithArronT& hisU14andKatie(Cherubs).
HighlightsonthecoachingfronthavebeenGarethTibbstakingontheroleofHeadCoach,Matt Robinsonqualifyingasaqualifiedcoach,MagicMikeandRegNicolson,joiningusasWizard Coaches,whilstKatieandGarethMordicaicontinuetodelivertheirunwaveringcommitment& support,winningawellearnedvolunteersawardlastseason.
AspecialmentionalsotoRachelHarding,whonotonlyprovidesinvaluablesupporttothemain coaches,butmanagestofilmandphotographeverythingandisnowourundisputed“MediaQueen”.
Iwouldalsowishtoacknowledgetheessentialsupport providedbyparents&carersthroughouttheseason. Theexpansionandsteppingupofcertaincoacheshas enabledustolooktothefuturewithconfidenceandallowus tostartrecruitingnewplayersnextseason,knowingwecan facilitategreaternumbers!
Weareindebtedto“Nobby”whofundedourindoortraining programmeatCokethorpeSchoolthroughoutJan-Feband twosessionsinMarch.Whichmeantwehaduninterrupted trainingthroughoutthecoldestspell.“Nobby”alsosponsored wind-cheatersforthewholesquad.
WearealsoindebtedtoourfriendsintheWizards,whohave provided2exceptionalcoachesandsupportedtheWolves withmashupfixtures,hostedourawardseveningandmost recentlygivengenerouslytowardsthecostsofhosting MiranoSENDteamduringtheir4dayvisit.
WehavemanagedtohostfixturesagainstWizards(Walkers), Norton(SENDteam),Hornets(Leamington),Kingswood (Bristol),Brigands(Reading)andMarino(Italy)
WethankIanandhiscateringteamforprovidingaftermatch meals-whichwasoftenmentionedasthehighlightoftheday byplayers!
Update:MarinoDragonsOnTour
Fri24thDayTriptoBlenheim
ReceptionBBQEveningatWitneyRFC
Sat25th“KatieFest”atWallingfordRFC
Sunday26th:11amMashUpwithWitneyWolves/Wizards followedbyFinalHotdogs
PM:FlyhometoItalyfromBristol
WolvesAwardsEveningwillbeonFriday15thMay,supported byWitneyWizards.
GarethLewis
WolveCoach/Coordinator
TheteamattheRugbyClubhousehopesyou’veallhadabrilliantseason,bothonandoffthepitch.
TheclubhousefullyreopenedinsunnyAugustforpre-seasonfriendliesandWRFC’s60thanniversarycelebrations. Thisalsosawanewchairmanstepuptoguideus—AndrewMerryman—supportedbyAndyMoss(Treasurer),Tian Smith(ViceChairman),M&JChairmanDaleHeist,andtwoteamsofhard-working,experiencedcommittee members.
UndertheguidanceofJohnWilliams(SeniorCommittee),anew,state-of-the-arttillsystemwasinstalledand madefullyoperational,andAnewmemberdiscountcardswereintroduced.
Theclubhouseenjoyedfantasticdemandforrefreshmentsandalltheusualrugby-dayofferingsduringthefirst quarteroftheseason,makingallthehardworkoverthesummertrulyworthwhile.
Thencametherain…andplentyofit.
Abigshout-outtoourgroundsman,GlennDavis,forkeepingtheshowontheroadallseason,andtoDarrenWebb (SeniorCommittee)forensuringeverythingintheclubhousestayedmaintainedandrunning.
Theweatherdidn’tslowanyofyoudownatthebaroratthekitchenthough!Thisseasonwe:
Cookedover3,500Baker’sButcherssausagesforSundaymorningbutties
Served2,500hotchocolateswithalltheextras
Preparedandcookedover4,000after-matchteas
HatsofftoBobFisk(ex-Chairman)fororganisingsixChairman’sLunchesthroughouttheseasonforover700guests —anincredibleeffortandlikelyaclubrecord.
Theclubhousehosted,fed,andwateredover100teamsfromnearandfar,alongwithmany thousandsofparentsandspectatorsthroughoutthe2025/26season.
WefinishtheseasonbyhostingtheOxonandBucksCountysquad(headcoachWRFC’sAdam Copperweat),whoareonceagainusingWRFC’ssuperbfacilitiesfortheircampaignon Twickenham.I’mafan,soI’mverymuchlookingforwardtocheeringthemonthroughMay.
Wearenowbackinthesunshineandalreadylookingforwardtoaspectacular2026/27season withplentyofclubhousecelebrations—hopefullywithalittlelessmudandalittlelessrain.
Welookforwardtoseeingyouallatyourend-of-seasonawardsandcelebrationsinMay,June andJuly ����
Thankyoutotheentireclubhouseteamforyourhardwork,flexibility,andpatience (especiallywithme!).Hopefully,we’reallreadytogoagainnextseason.
Withthesupport/generosityofsponsorsandhardworkingcommittees,coaches, players,andvolunteers,WRFCremainsavitalpartoftheWitneycommunity helpingmakeourtownandsurroundingareaabetterplacetoliveandwork.
Iamveryproudandfeelfortunatetoplaymysmallroleinyourrugbyclub.
Cheers, Ian
ClubSteward/ClubhouseManager
It’sbeenanotherbusyandproductiveyearfortheMediaTeam,withaclearfocusondelivering consistent,high-qualityoutputacrossalloursocialmediaplatforms,eachwithitsownquirks andchallenges.
ThatconsistencyhasbeendrivenfromthetopbyourTeamLeader,TianSmith.Histechnical expertise,creativityandsheerenthusiasmfortheproducthavekeptstandardshighandthe contentflowing.Quitesimply,wemayhavewornhimout.Tianhasdecidedtostepbackfrom MediaTeamduties,he’llbeabigmiss…butweknowwherehelives!
AhugethankyoutoTian,notjustforwhathe’sbuiltwithintheteam,butfordraggingthisold manfirmlyintothe21stcentury.
Lookingahead,BenYatesstepsintotheroleofMediaTeamCo-ordinator.Afamiliarface,Benis determinedtobuildonthestrongfoundationsalreadyinplace,refiningwhatwedo,raising standardsfurther,andfindingnewwaystoengageourclubmembers,especiallytheplayers.
Ifyou’vegotaneyeforcontent,acreativestreak,orjustwanttoplayapartinavitalareaof clublife,now’sthetimetogetinvolved.AslocalmanWinstonChurchilloncesaid,“Historywillbe kindtome,forIintendtowriteit.”We’redoingexactlythat,weekin,weekout.
Theimpactofaprofessionalmediaoutputisthereforalltosee.Sponsorsregularlyhighlightits value,andvisitingteamsoftenleaveimpressed,andperhapsalittleenvious.
Butwe’renotstandingstill.Wewon’trestonourlaurels;we’llkeeppushing,improving,and evolving.
Watchthisspace,2026/27isalreadyinoursights.
IanLoughborough MediaTeam
Angels&CherubsSocialMediaReport ����
OurAngels&CherubsInstagrampagescontinuetogofromstrengthtostrength,withasteadystreamofvariedand engagingcontent,fromteamannouncementsandmatchdayactionshotstoplayerspotlights,we’vebeenshowcasing everythingthatmakesoursquadsspecial.
It’snotjustaboutwhathappensonthepitcheither we’vecelebratedsomefantasticachievementsoffittoo,including OxfordshirecountyandRAFselections,fundraisingsuccesses,andevenamemorabletriptoDowningStreet!
We’renowproudtohavejustover1,000Angelsfollowersand650Cherubsfollowers,andwe’reaimingevenhigherthis year.Withover84,000viewsinthelasttwomonthsandacurrenttopposthitting7,649views,thechallengeison—canwe beatit?(Ofcoursewecan ��)
Andbecauseoneplatformjustisn’tenough…we’velaunchedourAngels&Cherubs TikTok! ��
ThankstotheenergyandcreativityofourAcademyandU16girls,it’salreadyprovinga bighit.Expectplentyoffun,behind-the-scenesmoments,andmaybetheoccasional questionabledancemove…
Sokeepyoureyespeeled andifyouseeacamera,don’tbeshy.We’realwaysonthe lookoutforournextTikTokstarsandsurprisecameos!
SarahDunbar MediaTeam
The60thanniversaryhasbeenmarkedacrossthecourseofthe2025/26season.Wekickedthecelebrationsoffwithawholeclub familypartypicniconAugust2nd,2025thankfullytheweatherwasexcellent.
ThiswasfollowedwithmanyfoundingmemberscomingtogetherfortheFounders matchwhenweplayedLonglevensatthestart oftheseasonlastSeptember.Aspeciallydesignedclothingrangewasalsoaddedtotheclubshopsrangeandprovedtobevery popular.
Astheseasonendsweshouldalltaketimetoreflectonwhatpartofbeingamember,player,volunteeratWitneyRFCdoesforthe communityandthewellbeingofothers.
BasedjustoutsidetheVillageofHaileyandsurroundedbybeautifulcountryside,ithasalwaysbeenacommunityclubatitsvery core,withvolunteersattheheartofitsactivity,evidentfromtheirdaysplayingatthegreenhuttoourcurrentlocationwhena clubhousewasdesignedandbuiltfromscratch.
Theclubcontinuestogrowwithrugbyforallatitsmainstay.
ChairAndrewMerrimansays:“Wehaveover150wonderfulvolunteerswhoareattheheartoftheclubandaresogratefulto everyonewhohascontributedsomuchoverourfirst60years.Wearenowlookingforwardtohavingahugepositiveimpactonour localcommunityoverthenext60years.”