President's Welcome
Celeste van Gent is a DPhil candidate in Medieval History at Pembroke College. She has been an active member of the Club since 2021.
Welcome to the Oxford University Touch Rugby Club!
September 22, 2024
Dear all,
A very warm welcome to the Oxford University Touch Rugby Club (OUTRC)! I am pleased
you found our website. Whether you are a student, community member, or visitor, this is a great place to learn more about our club, our teams, and our sport. Explore its pages, find answers to your questions, and get a sense of what makes our club so special. For the most up-to-date information, including our term card and membership information, please join our Facebook Group and follow us on
The 2023-2024 season was one for the history books! We saw the largest ever Varsity event held on home ground at Worcester College with Oxford taking a decisive win, at BUCS we not only entered our inaugural second team, the Orcas, but the Oxford Blues finished the season with their highest-ever ranking, we were awarded the BUCS Club Spirit Award, and in the Oxford University Sport Awards we won Club of the Year, as well receiving nominations for Diversity and Inclusion, Team of the Year, Student Coach of the Year, and Sporting Moment of the Year. OUTRC also awarded its inaugural Half-Blues to a dedicated and talented group of players who above all encapsulate what it means to be a team player. With this momentum, there is so much hope and potential for the new year.
The 2024-2025 season is very promising. We will continue to compete in the BUCS championship, as well as look for a clean sweep in the Varsity matches against Cambridge. Our exceptional captains, Tabs and Sam, updated our training programme to reach a high performance standard: competitive excellence and joy of sport are our goals. From socials to team-bonding activities, you can also expect an active and engaging life beyond the pitch.
What's more, we will continue to build and cultivate a culture of kindness, belonging, and team spirit. A healthy and positive culture is most important to us; more important than any win on the pitch. Our wonderful vice-president, Ava, will lead this important institutional work -- with the help of our welfare officer, Becky, and social secretary, Natalie -- but this is the great responsibility of every club member. I encourage every club member to learn their teammates' names and stories, to offer visible gestures of support and encouragement, and to discourage behaviours to the contrary. With strong character, the score will take care of itself.
In line with our code of conduct, we have zero tolerance for behaviour that undermines the dignity and respect of any person. I am especially wary of unsafe actions, microaggressions, exclusion, and short tempers. Instead, it is our firm expectation that every member will positively contribute to and improve the lives of their fellow teammates. One easy way to do this is to create space for others: ask questions and show interest in their answers. I'll briefly draw your attention to other club governance documents, including our constitution, safety policy, complaints protocol, and committee roles by-laws. General information about our club's structure is available on the About page.
Diversity and inclusion are signs of a good culture. In our club, you will find players from around the world: postgraduates and undergraduates; national champions and novices. We welcome all people, regardless of race, religion, sexuality, nationality, or social class. Our common values and commitment to our team connect us. We care for one another. In this spirit, let me take a moment to share Oxford's welfare resources. Your health and happiness are very important. After all, the mission of our club is to expand and brighten your time at Oxford.
To our newcomers, a special welcome! We welcome any players whether you played growing up or have never touched a rugby ball. I encourage you to peek at the Coach's Corner for a quick introduction. However, there is no better way to get acquainted than to play. Do come along to one of our developmental training sessions.
Touch Rugby is a sport for all. The main excelling factor is your effort and attitude. It is a place for you to be yourself--freely, boldly, and joyfully. It is a warm community that welcomes you and to which you will belong. You will have fun, make friends, and create fond memories. As we celebrate our past, in all its traditions and lineage, know this: the club is now yours, to shepherd its legacy and to write its future. The best way to do this is to be a good teammate. Please do read our Portrait of a Teammate below, which outlines our club's values and player aims.
I look forward to seeing you on the pitch. Do get in touch with your questions. Our committee members; our senior players; and our club members stand ready to support you in any way we can!
Best wishes,
Celeste van Gent
President​
