Championship progression: Oxford RLFC

It is clear what Oxford RLFC’s aim is by looking at their crest.

‘Rugby League Inspires’ is the quote emblazoned on their badge, and that is exactly the belief that runs through the veins of the Kingstone Press Championship One club.

As CEO Tony Colquitt recently told Love Rugby League, since being accepted into the third tier of UK rugby league the club have had simple aims that they are achieving well.

“We’re pretty straight forward here, we’re not trying to get in Super League we just want rugby league to be played in Oxfordshire.

“Before we came about there were only isolated pockets of rugby league being played in the area,” explained Colquitt.

“However in say five years time, there will hopefully be lots of youth rugby league going on due to us working alongside a lot of different colleges and academies.”

Development is the key word as far as Oxford are concerned, and former St Helens chief executive Colquitt does not want to just focus on players of the sport.

He said, “Obviously with Oxford famous for education, we want to install pathways for local people to learn about off-the-field roles in rugby league.

“This project is not solely focused on Oxford as a professional club, and it is not just about unearthing the next Paul Sculthorpe – it is about helping rugby league grow as a sport.”

2013 Oxford factfile

– 10 of the squad only turned professional this year.

– 10 of the squad have played less than five Championship One games.

– 10 of the squad live in Oxfordshire.

– Ian Burch played his 1st ever game of rugby league.

– Matty Hadden, JJ Baird, and Kenny Calladine have played less than 10 rugby League games in their lives.

– 11 Oxfordshire locals have now debuted for Oxford RLFC.