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Join Grove RFC | Rugby in Wantage and Grove Oxfordshire | All Ages and Abilities
Updated June 2026
Grove RFC welcomes new players of all ages and abilities.
Whether you are five years old or fifty, a complete beginner or a returning player, there is a place for you at Grove RFC.
RUGBY FOR EVERYONE IN WANTAGE AND GROVE
Looking for a rugby club near Wantage, Grove or South Oxfordshire? Grove RFC is a community rugby club serving Grove, Wantage, Faringdon, Didcot, Abingdon, Harwell and the wider Vale of White Horse. We run teams for men, women, girls, juniors and minis -- from age five through to senior rugby.
We are an RFU Accredited Club with qualified coaches at every age group and a clubhouse and facilities at the Recreation Ground, Recreation Lane, Grove, Wantage OX12 0FL.
FIND YOUR SECTION
Minis Rugby -- Ages 5 to 12
Fun, safe rugby for boys and girls from Reception through to Year 7, following the RFU Age Grade Rugby pathway. Tag rugby from U6 to U8, with contact introduced gradually from U9. We are a children-first club -- your child's first three sessions are completely free, so they can be sure they love their rugby before you commit to membership.
Membership starts from only £90 a season -- just £8.20 a month with our monthly payment option.
Training: Sundays from 10:00am
Full guide to Minis rugby at Grove RFC
Junior Rugby -- Ages 12 to 18
Competitive rugby for players from U13 through to Colts (U18), with structured midweek training, Sunday fixtures, and a clear pathway toward senior rugby. Training times vary by team -- check your team page or contact us for details.
Junior rugby at Grove RFC -- all teams
Girls Rugby -- U12 launching September 2026
Grove RFC is launching a dedicated Under 12 Girls section in September 2026, the first step in building a permanent girls and women's rugby pathway at the club. This season, our U11 and U12 girls are combining to form a single girls team ahead of the full launch, covering School Years 6 and 7.
Girls play alongside boys through to U11 in line with RFU guidelines. If you have a daughter who wants to play rugby, we would love to hear from you.
Find out more about Girls Rugby at Grove RFC
Senior Men's Rugby
Grove RFC runs two senior men's sides. The 1st XV compete in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Berks, Bucks and Oxon West and the 2nd XV in Counties 4 Tribute Ale Berks, Bucks and Oxon West. We welcome players of all abilities -- from those stepping up from junior rugby to experienced players returning to the game after a break.
Training: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm during the season. Pre-season training begins late June -- details always on the website.
For those looking for more social rugby as they have got older, we also run a Veterans team for friendlies, tournaments and a more relaxed side of the game. Open to any player of 35 and over.
Men's 1st XV
Men's 2nd XV
Men's Veterans
Ladies Rugby
Our Ladies squad competes in the Allianz Inner Warrior tournament as well as regional festivals and friendlies throughout the season. No experience is necessary -- many of our current players came to rugby as adults for the first time. If you are looking for fitness, fun, and a great team environment, come and give it a try.
Training: Wednesdays from 7:00pm during the season.
WHY JOIN GROVE RFC?
- A welcoming, family-friendly club built on rugby's core values -- Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship
- RFU Accredited Club with qualified, DBS-checked coaches across all age groups
- A full rugby pathway from first steps at U6 through to senior competitive rugby
- Membership prices frozen for 2026/27 -- the board's commitment to keeping rugby affordable for every family
- Playing memberships payable monthly through GMS -- no need to find a lump sum
- First three sessions completely free for children -- try before you commit
- One of the largest Minis Festivals in the region each October, welcoming over 100 teams to the Recreation Ground
- A thriving social scene with events, bingo, quiz nights, race nights, and trips to Premiership rugby throughout the season
- A growing girls and women's section with a new U12 Girls team launching September 2026
NEW TO THE AREA?
If you have recently moved to Grove, Wantage, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Faringdon, Abingdon or the surrounding villages in Oxfordshire, Grove RFC is your local rugby club. We have members from across the Vale of White Horse and beyond, and new faces are always welcome at training.
GET INVOLVED -- COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS
Grove RFC is a volunteer-run club and we are always looking for people to get involved -- whether as a coach, team manager, events helper or committee member. You do not need to be a rugby player to make a difference. RFU coaching qualifications are available and we will support you through the process.
View all club contacts and get in touch
2026/27 MEMBERSHIP -- PRICES AND HOW TO JOIN
All Grove RFC memberships for the 2026/27 season are available now through the RFU Game Management System (GMS). The board has frozen all prices at last season's rates -- a deliberate decision to keep rugby accessible and affordable across the Vale of White Horse.
Playing memberships can be paid in full or spread across monthly instalments. No lump sum needed.
Mini and Junior Playing Memberships
- Mini U13 playing membership (U6-U13): £90 in full -- or from £8.18 per month
- Mini U13 Discounted membership (sibling already a paid member): £75 in full -- or from £6.68 per month
- Junior U19 playing membership (U14-U19): £95 in full -- or from £8.63 per month
- Junior U19 Discounted membership (sibling already a paid member): £85 in full -- or from £7.72 per month
Sibling discount: families with more than one child at Grove qualify for the discounted rate on the second and subsequent children. Two children in Minis or Juniors costs just £165 for the full season -- both can pay monthly.
Senior and Ladies Playing Memberships
- Senior Player membership (voting rights): £180 in full -- or from £16.36 per month
- Ladies Playing membership (voting rights): £90 in full -- or from £8.18 per month
Social and Club Memberships
- Adult Social membership (non-voting): £50
- VP Social membership (voting rights, 15% bar discount, RFU insurance cover): £75
- Parent social membership (where a child is a paid playing member): free
- Spouse membership (partner of a paid playing member): free
- AFC Grove Football social membership: £25
- Darts and Aunt Sally team membership: £25
How to Register
You can go straight to the correct membership product by scanning the QR code for your membership type below.
Or follow these steps:
1. Go to gms.rfu.com/GMS/
2. Log in or create a free RFU account if you do not have one
3. Scroll to Quick Links and select Buy Membership
4. Select your membership product and choose to pay in full or by monthly instalments
5. Complete payment by card
On mobile: Quick Links sits below the Activity, Upcoming Events, and Player Welfare sections -- keep scrolling if you cannot see it.
Full step-by-step guidance: Grove RFC GMS Guide
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What age can my child start playing rugby?
Children can join from age 5 in our U6 Minis section, with informal non-contact activity available for younger children.
How much does it cost?
Mini and Junior playing membership starts from £75 a season with a sibling discount -- that is from £6.68 a month with our monthly payment option. All prices are frozen for 2026/27. Your child's first three sessions are completely free.
Can I spread the cost?
Yes. All playing memberships can be paid in monthly instalments through GMS at checkout. No lump sum is required.
Do I need any experience to join?
Not at all. We welcome complete beginners and returning players at every age group.
I played rugby years ago but have not played for a while. Can I still join the senior men's team?
Absolutely. Returning players are always welcome. Come along to a Tuesday or Thursday training session from 7:00pm, have a run around, and see how it feels. No pressure, no commitment required for your first few sessions.
I have never played rugby before. Can I join the Ladies squad?
Yes -- and you would not be the first. Many of our current ladies players came to the sport as adults with no background in rugby at all. Come along on a Wednesday evening from 7:00pm and give it a try.
Is rugby just for boys?
Not at all. Grove RFC runs mixed Minis teams to U11, a new Under 12 Girls section launching September 2026, and a Ladies squad for adult women. Rugby is for everyone.
Is rugby safe for young children?
Yes. All junior and mini sessions follow RFU Regulation 15 Age Grade guidelines. Contact is only introduced from U9 onwards, always in a carefully coached, step-by-step way. All coaches are DBS checked and appropriately qualified.
What should my child wear?
Trainers or boots with safe studs, comfortable sports kit with no hoods, and a water bottle. A gumshield is required from U9 upwards. If your child has asthma, please bring their inhaler to every session. Muddy boots are not permitted in the clubhouse so a clean change of footwear is handy.
What should I wear as a senior or ladies player?
Any comfortable training kit and boots. A gumshield is essential for contact training. Club kit is available from our VX3 Club Kit Shop.
When does the season run?
The playing season runs from September through to May. Pre-season training begins late June -- details are always published on the website and social media.
Where do you play?
The Recreation Ground, Recreation Lane, Grove, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 0FL.
View on Google Maps
COME AND JOIN US
New players are welcome at every age group throughout the season. The best thing to do is simply turn up -- no booking needed. Or get in touch and we will point you in the right direction.
01235 762750
Last updated: June 2026