It has been open to all comers since the late 1960s although it still retains strong links with the school which produces a regular supply of quality players for the club. The club is proud of its close connection with the origin of the great game. Not only is the club located in Rugby but the school from which the club grew is named after the founder of Rugby School, Lawrence Sheriff. OLRFC is committed to providing a good standard of amateur rugby with traditional rugby club hospitality for like-minded players and supporters. The aim of the club is to provide regular, competitive games for players of all abilities and ambitions backed up by a qualified coaching team, excellent facilities and qualified medical support. The club is based at Fenley Field, Bilton, a thirteen acre sports ground with three pitches, (one with floodlights), a welcoming clubhouse, a well equipped gym and a purpose built grandstand with seating for 200 spectators. The teams
The 1st XV finished second in Midlands 2 West (South) in 2009/10 and won the play-off game for promotion to Midlands One (West). This followed four seasons in Midlands Two, in three of which the club finished third and narrowly missed out on promotion. 2010/11 unfortunately saw us relegated back down on the last day of the season despite winning more games than two or three teams above us. After re-grouping in 2011/12, OLs again finished second in Midlands 2 West (South) in 2012/13 to gain promotion back into Midlands 1 for 2013/14 following a promotion play-off win against Moseley Oak. The 2nd XV compete in Warwickshire League One. They have had outstanding results in recent seasons finishing third in 2009/10 and second the following year, as well as winning the local Clonmell Cup for 2nd XVs. 2011/12 saw the 2nds win the league title which was repeated last season with a superb 100% league record. The 3rd XV play competitive rugby in Warwickshire League Three and are a mixture of young, developing talent combined with, shall we say, years of experience. The social side
Whilst league success is the measure of our progress, the club does not neglect the social side, for which the club has always been well known. Before the advent of leagues, opposition teams were known to ask for two fixtures against the OLs because of their renowned hospitality. Mini Rugby at OLS
A mini rugby section was started in 2009 and has grown dramatically since its beginnings, starting with just 20 members and rising to over 200 now. The club now caters for boys and girls up to the Under 12 age group and will field its first junior side (Under 13) in season 2014/15. With a well-established management and coaching set up, the future looks bright for mini and junior rugby at OLs. Touring
OLs have hosted clubs from afar including teams from USA, Canada, Hungary, South Africa, France and Ireland. We are keen tourists and over the last twenty years and more have built strong links with sides from Minneapolis including Metropolis RFC www.metropolisrugby.com. The last, so far, of our six tours to the USA was in spring 2016, during which many of our younger members were introduced to the joys of touring. VPs and Ladies
OLs boast an active Vice Presidents membership of more than 150, many of whom are prominent in the business and commercial life of Rugby and the surrounding area. Consisting of former players and supporters, our VPs are important to us and valued by us. The annual VP Lunch and Away Day are two of the highlights of the social calendar. The ladies are not forgotten, as the club boasts an active Ladies Section which organises Ladies Day each season and which is active in fund raising, for charitable causes and for the club. Other sports at Fenley Field
While the rugby club is the major sports group at Fenley Field, the ground is also home to Rugby & East Warwickshire Hockey Club, a leading club in Midlands hockey and aiming for national league status, who use the clubhouse and gym facilities at Fenley Field. In the summer there is also a thriving OL’s cricket section, which plays in the local Rugby Advertiser midweek league. They now have the benefit of a new artificial wicket that was laid in 2013.
