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 -- less than £10 a month.

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'd 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 who looking for more social rugby as they've got older, we also run a Veterans team, for friendlies, tournaments and a more social side to the game. Open to any player of 35+.

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.

Ladies Rugby at Grove RFC

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
Minis membership from only £90 a season -- less than £10 a month
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 -- recent highlights include the London Irish Minis Festival, Saracens Festival, the Defender Cup at Northampton Saints, and a pitch walk at Principality Stadium to watch Bath vs Bristol
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

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?
Minis membership starts from only £90 a season -- less than £10 a month. Your child's first three sessions are completely free. We want them to be sure they love their rugby before you commit. Contact us for junior and senior membership
rates.

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 haven't 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.

Find your contact here

playrugby@groverfc.co.uk

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