Welcome to our Club .....

Okehampton RFC is a community based rugby club situated on the edge of Dartmoor in West Devon. Founded in 1894 the club is this year celebrating its 125th year. The rugby club occupies a prime position in this market town less than 5 minutes from the town centre and historically has close links with the town. Its Junior section is currently thriving with over 220 boys and girls playing rugby during the season. The club runs teams from age 7 to 16 with matches taking place on Sundays at 11am. Our Junior Section is self funding through entertainments held throughout the year, membership costs and local sponsorship. Last year parents and local sponsors contributed generously towards the purchase of a new corporate strip for each team. The Junior section continue to contribute to the overall running of the club and each year make a significant donation to the running of the club.

This year we achieved Seal of Approval through the Rugby Football Union and achieved UK Sport Clubmark status. All our policies and procedures are in place and we have invested heavily over the last year in our volunteers. We now have up to 20 fully qualified referees to cover home matches and each o f our coaches have at least the basic entry level coaching award. Some have over the last year attained Level Two awards ensuring our Juniors have the highest levels of coaching.

All our coaches and volunteers recently attended a Safeguarding & Protecting Children course ensuring our children are protected.

After a great season last year when we saw some fantastic rugby throughout the age groups we are eagerly looking forward to the start of what should be another bumper year for junior rugby. With just two pitches we will again have to juggle matches using when available pitches at near neighbours North Tawton and the school pitches at the College. We as a club are currently looking to finance mobile floodlights at the Brightley training pitch which proved a success for the senior age groups last year. This will allow all age groups to utilise 'grass track training facilities' throughout the long winter nights.

Our 125' celebrations start in style on the 29th August when the Colts take on the County U18 team. In September the same County Under 18 team play Gloucester at Okehampton and on the 27th Sept our Under 16's take on the County side. In September we will be running 'taster days' for those new to the game particularly in the lower age groups and our coaches will again be going out to the primary schools to run coaching clinics and assist at the local Community College.

This all adds up to a busy start to the season and we will be looking for parents and supporters to come along and support their team. You may even be persuaded to cook a burger or two! If you have a son or daughter who would like to give rugby a go our club is for you. Please speak to one of our coaches on our website or come along to our Registration Night (details to be published shortly) or simply turn up to training nights.