Welcome one and all to Hailey Road the home of the Black and Blues. It’s alwaysapleasuretoseethemembers,sponsors,andVPsaswellasthose visiting us for the first time, I hope you enjoy your day and the rugby with us,andifyou,dowhynotjoinusamember?
Thefirstthingyouwillhavenoticedisthatyouarereadingthenewdigital match programme. This should make the main body of the programme moreflexiblewhilstwecutdownourcarbonfootprint,everylittlehelps.
A new season and a new coaching structure, Matt Carter has joined the club to work alongside Adam with the aim of moving us forward and fresheningupouroffering.MatthaspreviouslybeenHeadCoachatStowon-the-Wold RFC, mostly recently when they finished above us in the league during the 22/23 league season. Matt is a qualified RFU Coach Mentor,alongsidebeingaqualifiedrefereeandLevel3coach.
Wayne Caffekey will be moving up to the 1st XV to take on the role of Forwards Coach. Wayne obviously needs no introduction, his boots aren’t quite retired just yet, he is allowed to rampage around the paddock when called upon. The rest of the coaching team remains unchanged with Clarkey leading our attack & 1st XV backs. Simon & James are looking to build on last year’s great season with the 2nd XV. Carl Strutt will once againheadupthemighty3rdXVastheylookforwardtofacing 1st&2nd XV’s teams in their league. I am sure you will join me in congratulating WayneandwelcomingMatttotheclub.
ThisyearwehavebeentransferredintotheRegional2TributeSevern(still level 6 rugby), many new teams to face this season and I am pleased to saymorelocalmatchesthanlastseason.Thesecondsandthirdshowever remain in local leagues, so if you can’t make the long trips with the 1sts, there will always be some local games to watch the Black and Blues in action.
The Angels would normally play their games on a Sunday, however as a special treat, our opening Saturday sees them welcome Abingdon to Hailey Road, kick off 2pm and an excellent prequel to the 1st team opening their account at home. The Angels have also been put into a new league, unfortunatelythiswillmeantravellingabitfurtherformostawaygames.
The summer months has seen touch and walking rugby played every Thursdaynight,andthiswillcontinuethroughouttheseason.
We are a member’s club and as such I ask you all to sign up online via the clubwebsitemembership link,https://witneyrfc.rfu.club/products. Anyissues speaktoamemberofthecommitteewhowillbehappytohelphelp.
Our Mini & Junior section have also maintained the momentum and have sides from under 5 to under 18 including girls’ teams training on a Sunday morning. What a fantastic sight, seeing the youngsters running around enjoying the game we love. Our SEND side, Witney Wolves also train on a Sundaymorning,theirenthusiasmisaninspirationtoall.
The Club has benefited from the goodwill of volunteers, their commitment never fails to amaze me; their passion, positivity, and sheer hard work that they put in, all of which is done to ensure that all our members get the best experience. There are way too many to name, but you know who you are. Thankyouall.
SponsorsplayacrucialroleintherunningoftheclubandI’dliketothankour sponsors and all of our partners. Despite the challenging times they have remained committed to us and helped us provide the best facilities and experience to all our members. We could not survive without this support. If you would like to get involved and have your company brand and profile boostedthroughsponsorshipandoursocialmediaprogramme,thenplease contactJohnWilliams.
As always, enjoy your day with us at WRFC and I look forward to seeing you again.
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
Watch the Witney Angels
@Hailey Road
Sun 22 Sep 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Silhillians Ladies
Sun 20 Oct 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Rugby Lionesses Ladies
Sun 24 Nov 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians Ladies
The only way is up!
Head Coach
Gareth Lewis
Think you’re too old for rugby, think again! Witney Wizards is a walking rugby team based at Hailey Road who train Thursday evenings 7pm throughout the year. All ages, all abilities, All Welcome!
The Danish Wardrobe Company first opened its doors in Cirencester in August 2006 as a franchise store and has been recognized as being a breath of fresh air with its ability to offer interesting pieces from Denmark and Scandinavia. Since then, we have become a multi-brand retailer and have extended our product mix to offer a more diverse range of womenswear as well as footwear, accessories and beautiful things for your home!
Player Sponsors
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Charlie Bowyer
Callum Godfrey
WRFC “Wizzards” Walking Rugby
Barry Bowles & Tony Mayfield
Ben Ling Glenn Davies
james Merriman AK Timms
Tom Gafney
Ian Loughborough
Marcus Reading Celestra
Cameron Ayris
Milfield Contractors Ltd
Angus Brown Fowler Hicks Landscaping
Kerr Macdougall
Harvey Wattleworth
Jasper Nixey
Hayden Clarke
Connor Pummery
Jack Strong
Ollie Toner
Dan Webb
Gareth Lewis
TW Fitness
Rowles Roofing
Ready Set Solar
Drive Engagement
Jason Strong Builders
Drive Engagement
David Willis
Matt Webb Shaw & Co Solicitors
Sam Winstone Mike Dunbar
Callum Cope
JC Landscaping
Gareth Jenkins Matt Delnevo
Daniel Wilson Matt Delnevo
Harry Ward
WRFC “wIZZARDS” Walking Rugby
Josh Whitehead J S Motors
Liam Cook J Brand
John Mason
Adler & Allan
Mark Roberts Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris
Haysham Electrical Contractors
Not
Saturday 02nd November
16th November
24th November
Chairman’s Lunches @Hailey Road
Saturday 12th October
Witney 1st XV v Gordano 1st XV
Saturday 16th November
Witney 1st XV v Weston-super-Mare 1st XV
Saturday 14th December
Witney 1st XV v Stow-on-the-Wold 1st XV
Saturday 18th January
Witney 1st XV v Swindon 1st XV
Saturday 8th March
Witney 1st XV v Thornbury 1st XV
Sample Menu
Farmhouse pate with homemade chutney, classic salad garnish
Belly pork with crispy crackling, mashed potato, caramelized apples, sauteed cabbage and kale
A selection of local cheese served with biscuits
Booking
To book a table or individual places please contact WRFC Chairman, Bob Fisk email: robertfisk@btinternet.com
Sponsors: All sponsors are welcome to attend, not all sponsorship packages include chairman’s lunch invites, therefore you may have to pay VP’s, Club Members & Guests: All welcome, price per lunch may vary between £30-35 per head
