Description
Welcome to UBRFC’s homepage!
Why UBRFC?
UBRFC caters for a wide range of rugby-playing abilities, from the performance squad of our 1XV, 2XV and 3XV, to the development squad consisting of the 4th, 5th and 6th XVs. There are so many ways to get involved playing rugby for UBRFC, no matter your experience or ability, and with so many teams, there will always be a space available for you. UBRFC is a friendly and exciting club providing all members with professional coaching and facilities to enable athletes to perform at their best.
We're here to help you train, compete and achieve your sporting goals during your time at Bristol. As one of the top 10 universities for sporting achievement in the UK, we have a dedicated team of coaches and support staff to help you to reach your full sporting potential.
Our club
Founded in 1876, University of Bristol RFC is one of the oldest Rugby Clubs in the world. With over 150 current members, and an extensive alumni network, joining UBRFC means more than just pulling on a shirt every week. Every time you step on the pitch, you represent 130 years of clubmen, joining many notable alumni such as former England Sevens Tom Mitchell, former Bristol Bears Dave Attwood and Sam Jeffries. As a club our vision remains the same; to be an internationally recognised University Rugby Club; educating and inspiring Student athletes to connect, lead and excel on and off the field.
Make sure to check out our website for further information!
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Getting Involved - Important Dates and Information for New Players
Our student committee members will be present at the University Welcome Fair on Friday 13th September. Come say hello!
Our trials for all new players will take place during the day on the 14th September 12pm-13:30pm for Forwards and 13:30pm-15:00pm for Backs. This will be at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex 3G Pitch (BS9 2BJ). All members wishing to attend should sign up in advance using this link, however, should this not be completed, it will be possible to complete the form at sessions. Following your session there will be a presentation by Head of Rugby, Olly Slym and Club Captain, Ryab Webb. Follow our Instagram @unibristolrfc to stay up to date about trials!
After trials, an email will be sent out on Monday 16th September informing what team you have been selected for as well as more information on training times.
We will also be hosting welcome drinks for all new players at night on 14th September at the Kings Arms Pub (BS8 2XZ) on Whiteladies Road at 19:00pm. Please also request to join our First Years WhatsApp groupchat for updates on events and joining the club.
On Saturday 21st September we will also be running a Give it a Go Session 12pm-13:00pm for those who are completely new to rugby! These will be run by our captains who will introduce tackling techniques, ball handling skills and an explanation of the laws of the rugby.
Games
The University rugby season starts on the 25th September and will continue, in some cases through until Easter depending on cup competitions and play off matches. The 1XV, 2XV and 3XV teams (Performance Squads) play BUCS fixtures every Wednesday afternoon. Our 4XV will train and play with Avonmouth alongside having fresher only fixtures against other local universities such as Bath, Exeter and Hartpury.
Our 5XV will compete in the Bristol and Disctrict 1 local league on the weekends against other local clubs in Bristol. Our 6XV will compete in the University’s intramural league that we run against the likes of DUHB, Clifton Crusaders and UBHRFC 2's.
In addition to BUCS fixtures we have our 1876 Maroon side that play outside of the BUCS leagues and can contain any player in the club. The fixtures the team plays are invitation friendlies both home and away with an emphasis on prestige and hospitality. Players are selected by the 1st XV Captain and will be invited into the side with a visit from the Captain offering the player the chance to be in the side.
Memberships
In regards to membership, prices range from £195 for our Development Squad and £315 for our Performance Squad, both of these allow you to be insured for training and matches. A kit package (Waterproof training top, UBRFC shorts ,socks and warm up t shirt) can also be purchased for £45.
Annual Performance Membership ( Selected Players Only ) £315:
- x3 Training sessions/ week
- x2 S&C sessions/ week
- Team match video reviews
- Physio at all matches and off field
- X1 1:1 with head coach
- X1 recovery sessions/ week
- Insurance for all training and matches
- Travel and match fees covered
- Pre-season programme
Annual Development Membership ( Selected Players only ) £195:
- X2 Training sessions/ week
- Physio available off field
- Insurance for all training and matches
- Travel and match fees covered
- Coaching costs covered
Scholarships
Our Vice-Chancellor's (VC) Scholars for Sport are an inspirational group who train and compete as part of our club, whilst also driving towards professional athletic careers on the world stage during their time at the University of Bristol.
Scholarships for Sport are offered to a maximum of 10 students each year for £1,500 - £3,000 per student, per annum. The support package that all Scholars receive as part of the programme equates to approximately £6,000 in services.
For more information please visit our website: www.ubrfc.co.uk/performance-sport.
The Maroon Athlete Scholarship is available to current students not already on the VC Scholarship programme. Students are nominated by Head Coaches across our high-performance sport and do not receive no financial award but will benefit from:
- Additional coaching time, support and mentoring
- Active Connect Sports Pass included
- Club Membership included
- Access to exclusive Scholar S&C sessions
- Group workshops with Sports Psychologist and Nutritionist
- Exclusive access to Performance Pre-Season Camps
- Maroon Scholar Kit included
- Individual/Team Coaching Sessions
- Individual Performance Profiling twice per year (May & August)
Socials
Our weekly socials take place every Wednesday night at Alterego Bar on Whiteladies Road. These are great for meeting clubmen from across all teams and forming lifelong friendships outside of your traditional course and year of study groups. There are other events throughout the year including Welcome Drinks, Christmas Dinner, Winter Ball, Exam Party and non-alcohol socials with meet ups in coffee shops, golf courses and team meals.
Kit
Matchday kit can be purchased via the University of Bristol Rugby Football Kit Membership for £42 alongside all other memberships and will be given out by our kit secretaries at one of your first training sessions. A match top will be provided on the day of a game but it is important on game days that you wear only UBRFC kit to travel in, warm up in and upon arriving at Coombe Dingle. For training times and S&C sessions any kit can be worn but you must have appropriate footwear.
There is also an option to buy these items separately using this link. Please note: all other stash not listed on this website or on the surridge website (including sports fleeces and vests) will be purchased in bulk throughout the year - keep an eye on announcements from our kit secs to find out how to place an order for these items. The club tie will be handed out after your first match appearance for UBRFC!
Tour
After the great success of the 2023 summer tour to Madagascar, the club have decided to go bigger and better for our 2025 edition, selecting Argentina as our destination. The second-largest country in South America, Argentina is a land of natural beauty, with a stunning variable landscape and culture throughout. The popularity of rugby in Argentina has been growing to such an extent that it is now considered one of World Rugby's tier one nations. Highlights of this amazing country include the lively capital, Buenos Aires, with an abundance of exciting attractions. If you would like more information on this, contact our Club Manager Olly Slym via his email – olly.slym@bristol.ac.uk
FAQs
Q. I haven’t played rugby before can I still join the club?
Yes! UBRFC is an inclusive club that welcomes all members of all skill levels. The club strives for members to progress and improve skills, so even if you have no rugby experience, you are sure to have plenty by the time you leave the club. Our Give it a Go session on the 21st September is the perfect opportunity for an introduction to rugby.
Q. What are trials like?
These slots will be position specific based where you will take part in a mixture of fun skill sessions and an understanding of the way we play here at UBRFC! After this, there will be a presentation by our Head of Rugby and Club Captain, a follow up email will be sent out informing you what squad you have been selected for and one that we feel is most suitable for your ability.
If after trials you are unhappy with your team placement and feel you would be more suited to a higher/lower level, get in touch with the Club Captain and we can, if applicable, make some amendments. It is usual for our captains to shuffle members around in the first couple of weeks of training anyway to make sure we have the strongest teams we can for the season. Everyone will be put in a squad and no one will miss out on joining the club!
Q. Do you have a sevens side?
Yes! We have our very own University of Bristol Men’s RFC 7s team named Maroon 7’s ( instagram - maroon7s) which has seen current students go onto represent Great Britian 7's. Our sevens team compete in the annual BUCS sevens competition as well as being an invitational side for current players and alumni which compete in tournaments such as Bournemouth, Prague and Amsterdam to name a few. The season commences after Easter before exams start in May and everyone wanting to participate will be invited to try out.
Q. I’m injured at the moment; can I still be a part of the club?
Of course! You are more than welcome to still attend training sessions, socials, S&C sessions and match days even if you are injured. Please still complete our trials form and fill out your injury in the selected section. Do not worry if you can not partake in the trials during welcome week, once you are fit and ready to return to rugby we can assess which team is suitable for you.
Q. I can’t make the trials during welcome week, can I still join the club?
Yes. Please get in contact with our Club Captain Ryan Webb ( ux21847@bristol.ac.uk) who will be able to direct you to a training session to take part in when you’re available.
Q. What is the SEH Acess Pass?
All students who attend club training sessions allocated through the Facility Allocation Matrix will be required to have a valid Sport, Exercise and Health (SEH) Access Pass at the cost of £25. This allows access to training sessions that take place on SEH and SEH funded facilities.
The Committee 2024/25 & how to contact us:
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Club Captain: Ryan Webb - ux21847@bristol.ac.uk |
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Vice Captain: Ally Moffat - ud23049@bristol.ac.uk |
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Secretary: Harry Isaacs - vy22543@bristol.ac.uk |
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EDI and Well Being Officer: Oliver Crewdson - rq22290@bristol.ac.uk |
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Fresher Secretary: Josh Chalk - si23450@bristol.ac.uk |
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Social Media: Henry Hilleard-Rees - zu23412@bristol.ac.uk |
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Alumni Secretary: Xav Christopher - x.christopher.2021@bristol.ac.uk |
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Treasurer: Nick Mehrgan - ag23207@bristol.ac.uk |
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Intramural and Rugby Community Manager: Tom Franklin - yy20769@bristol.ac.uk |
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Social Secretary: Tom Else - fz23581@bristol.ac.uk |
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Social Secretary: Jed Hurrell - sr23519@bristol.ac.uk |
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Kit Secretary: Oscar Manners - zb22034@bristol.ac.uk |
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Kit Secretary: Max Paton Smith - aq23477@bristol.ac.uk |
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Business and Events Secretary: Max Levy - yf23591@bristol.ac.uk |
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Business and Events Secretary: Regan Law - pi23143@bristol.ac.uk |
Social Media – Stay in the loop!
Make sure to follow us on all our socials to keep up to date with all upcoming events and announcements:
Instagram - @unibristolrfc
Twitter - @unibristolrfc
Facebook - University of Bristol Rugby FC
TikTok - @unibristolrfc
LinkedIn - University of Bristol Rugby Club Alumni
YouTube - University of Bristol RFC
Website - www.ubrfc.co.uk
Alternatively, if you have any questions, feel free to message us on our Instagram or Facebook account. You can also contact our club captain Ryan – ux21847@bristol.ac.uk . You should hear back from us regarding any queries you have within 24-48 hours!
For more information about our society, check out the 24/25 season handbook, linked in resources.
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Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
