At Horspath Athletics Ground earlier this year, the Oxford Aussie Rules football club took on Cambridge in their annual Varsity match. It was a big day- the 100th consecutive Varsity Match for the Men’s side (the longest running league outside of Australia!) and the 3rd Women’s Varsity match.
The Oxford women’s team were the clear underdogs going into the match- we hadn’t won a game against Cambridge this season, and Cambridge were the champion of the multination Fitzpatrick Cup held earlier in the season. However, we had a solid few weeks of training consolidating some key skills (and a few video messages of encouragement from AFL-W superstars in Australia), and with the help of our coach Ben, we were feeling strong and ready to give them a run for their money!
We managed to maintain a lead throughout the entire game, and come away with a convincing win: 51 to 20. Romy and Ellie were key in the defensive line, and Connie and Abbie were unstoppable- kicking goal after goal! It truly was a team effort however, and despite Cambridge coming back in the final quarter, we maintained the intensity until the final whistle. This was the first time the Oxford Women’s side had won a Varsity match, and it was great to do so in front of our supporters!
Aussie rules welcome’s people with no experience, being Australian is certainly not a pre-requisite and we have a lovely welcoming community, with a relaxed training and game schedule. If you are interested in playing next season (whatever that may look like) or want some more information, please reach out!
The Oxford women’s team were the clear underdogs going into the match- we hadn’t won a game against Cambridge this season, and Cambridge were the champion of the multination Fitzpatrick Cup held earlier in the season. However, we had a solid few weeks of training consolidating some key skills (and a few video messages of encouragement from AFL-W superstars in Australia), and with the help of our coach Ben, we were feeling strong and ready to give them a run for their money!
We managed to maintain a lead throughout the entire game, and come away with a convincing win: 51 to 20. Romy and Ellie were key in the defensive line, and Connie and Abbie were unstoppable- kicking goal after goal! It truly was a team effort however, and despite Cambridge coming back in the final quarter, we maintained the intensity until the final whistle. This was the first time the Oxford Women’s side had won a Varsity match, and it was great to do so in front of our supporters!
Aussie rules welcome’s people with no experience, being Australian is certainly not a pre-requisite and we have a lovely welcoming community, with a relaxed training and game schedule. If you are interested in playing next season (whatever that may look like) or want some more information, please reach out!