OGs Women’s Touch Tour – Rugby Fest 2.0

The Old Grammarians Women’s Touch team were excited to head away on tour this weekend, making the journey to the sunny climes of Northampton. Perhaps not the most obvious tour hotspot, but the squad were delighted to take part in Rugby Fest 2.0, hosted by Northampton Saints. The event was a celebration of women and girls in rugby across its many different disciplines.

As we approached Franklin’s Gardens, it is fair to say the nerves were flying high. This felt like a huge stage for little old us to take to the field at such a prestigious venue. Our games took place in the ‘Barn’, otherwise known as Northampton Saints’ first-team indoor 5G training facility. Quite the setting!

Our ever-growing squad meant we were able to enter two teams into the tournament: OGs Red and OGs Blue. With ten teams competing in total, we set about our games at a fast and furious pace, with strategy firmly at the helm.

As always, the OGs defence was formidable, with the Reds conceding just two tries across the entire tournament. The Blues, meanwhile, showcased blistering pace, keeping their opposition on their toes and reaching for their lungs!

It was a fantastic celebration of women in sport, with all the women’s touch teams cheering on their opponents from the sidelines and celebrating outstanding displays of athleticism, regardless of which colour shirt they happened to be wearing.

A huge effort from both teams saw the Reds and Blues both finish on the podium, alongside our friends Old Northamptonians, who secured second place. It was OGs Red who lifted the trophy on Saturday, but the real victory belongs to the whole squad for the consistent hard work and commitment shown at training. That dedication has seen this group develop enormously over the past 18 months.

A massive congratulations to OGs Red: Captain – Ayo; Vice-Captain – Fi; Abi, Andre, Esmé, Helen, Stacey and Yas, who were presented with their silverware by a professional women’s rugby player from Loughborough Lightning in the Northampton Saints Supporters’ Village. Let’s just say they certainly didn’t shy away from the spotlight!

What followed was the usual tour nonsense, laughter and team bonding you would expect, and spirits remained sky-high throughout. Despite the weekend’s exertions, there was barely a tired eye in sight as the minibus headed home on Sunday morning.

Congratulations to all the Old Grammarians Women’s Touch players. What a weekend, what a squad and what a fantastic testament to the hard work, commitment and camaraderie that continues to drive this team forward.

And finally, a massive thank you to our coaches, Shehan, Reihan and Aman, for your continued support, guidance and commitment to our development. We couldn’t do it without you!
By Stacey Stoba

Follow OGs Touch on Instagram: @ogs_touch_rugby_team

Following the recent Serious Sport pop-up shop at the club, there is still an opportunity to get your OGs kit and training gear sorted for the season.

For one week, you can receive 15% off online orders using the code OGRFC26 at checkout. Whether you missed the pop-up shop or simply need to pick up a few extra items, this is a great chance to get kitted out.

When placing an online order, you can choose to pay for postage or select collection from store. Choosing collection from store means your order will be included in a bulk delivery to the club, expected approximately 2–3 weeks after ordering, with no postage cost.

Please note that you may receive an email saying that your order is “ready to collect from store”. This is a glitch in the system and does not mean your order is ready for collection. If you have selected collection from store, simply ignore this message — your order has been processed and will be sent to the club with the bulk delivery.

The Referees Society will be running a Take Up the Whistle course at Old Grammarians RFC on 3rd and 10th December.

This is an accessible introduction to refereeing rugby, aimed at anyone who would like to develop their confidence and understanding of the referee’s role. While a few specific points of law will be covered, the main focus is on the principles of refereeing rather than the fine detail. No previous refereeing experience is needed.

Every age group should have at least two coaches who are competent to referee their games, and this course is a great opportunity to build those skills. Having coaches who feel confident taking charge of a game helps teams get more fixtures played, supports player development and gives coaches a better understanding of what referees are looking for on the pitch.

Whether you are a coach looking to broaden your skills, a parent interested in learning more about the game, or simply someone who has considered giving refereeing a go, this is a welcoming opportunity to get started.

Find out more and book your place: Take Up the Whistle – Refereeing Course at OGs

If you have any questions, please contact Graham Kantorowicz

Our Vice Presidents are invited to join us for a special lunch on Saturday 14th November, ahead of the 1st XV’s home match against Chess Valley RFC.

Join us from 12 noon, with lunch served at 12.30pm, before heading pitchside for the 2.30pm kick-off. The menu includes homemade tomato soup, roast beef with all the trimmings, and apple pie and custard. The cost is £40 per person, including your first drink.

It’s a great opportunity to catch up with fellow Vice Presidents, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the club and support the 1st XV. Places are limited, so please email info.ogrfc@gmail.com to reserve your place and receive payment details.

Find out more about the Vice Presidents’ Lunch here.