Oxford Saints is a renowned sports club located in Abingdon, offering an exciting and competitive atmosphere for rugby enthusiasts in the area. Established in 1983, it is the longest-running British American Football team in the region. The club was initially known as the Oxford Eagles but underwent a name change following a popular Radio Oxford phone-in competition. Now officially known as the Oxford Saints, the team has a rich history and has been crowned champions on three occasions, with their most recent victory coming in 2016.
At Oxford Saints, family values lie at the club's core, making it a welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all ages. The club caters to a broad range of individuals, boasting teams ranging from under 11s to seniors. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the sport, the club warmly welcomes new players, coaches, and anyone interested in getting involved with the club. All that's required is a passion for the game, and the club's competent and dedicated Head Coaches, Greg Kennedy (Senior) and Adam Goldstein (Youth), will guide you through the rest.
The Oxford Saints hold regular training sessions and events for both their senior and youth teams. For the senior team, training takes place every Sunday at Tilsley Park in Abingdon from 1-4 PM, with occasional mid-week sessions at the same venue. The upcoming events for the senior team include the Second Rookie Day on December 9th, 2023, which provides an excellent opportunity for individuals aged 18 and above who are new to the sport or considering joining the team. Open training sessions for new players will also be held every Sunday from January 7th, 2024, onwards.
The junior and youth teams at Oxford Saints offer a fantastic opportunity for young players to develop their skills and passion for the sport. The Under 19 team plays in small regional groups of four, with the winners and the best-placed runner-up advancing to the end-of-season playoff tournament. Players must be under 19 on August 31st of the year preceding the playing season to be eligible for this team. Training for the Under 19 team takes place every Saturday from 1-3 PM at Tilsley Park in Abingdon.
The Under 16 team is open to players under 16 on August 31st of the year preceding the playing season, with a minimum age requirement of 13 years. This team participates in four tournaments consisting of two games each, resulting in an eight-game regular season. Twelve teams from the league qualify for the playoffs. Training for the Under 16 team is held every Saturday from January to July, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Tilsley Park.
For younger players, the club offers the Under 14 and Under 11 Flag teams. Players must be under 14 and 11 years old, respectively, on August 31st of the year preceding the playing season, with minimum age requirements of 11 and 8 years old. Flag football is an exciting variation of the sport, and training for these teams occurs every Saturday from January to July at Tilsley Park, from 10-11 AM.
Oxford Saints prides itself on being a community-oriented club and encourages anyone interested in playing or coaching to get involved. For more information or to connect with the club, individuals can visit their website, where they can also check out the vibrant photo gallery displaying the club's achievements and moments. Contacting the club is a breeze, as individuals can send a message through the website or reach out to them on popular social media platforms. The club's contact details, including their location at Tilsley Park, Dunmore Road, Abingdon-on-Thames, are readily available on their social media pages and official website.