Keith Oakes has recently taken over the role of Youth Chair. Keith will also be Manager of the Under 13s next season, a role he has fulfilled for the last 5 years. He is also an RFU Level 1 Coach and Referee.

Chris White is pictured above receiving an award from Club President Martin Court at the recent Annual Dinner. In tribute to the work of his predecessor Keith said:

“Chris has been a fantastic servant of the Club over many years. For as long as I have been involved with BRUFC, Chris has been a font of knowledge and tirelessly put in more time than many can imagine.

"He has been the main driving force in the growth and strength of the Youth section over the last 9 years. His recent innovation in introducing the Academy for Colts and older Junior ages has brought a new level of performance, in both players and coaces, which has recently borne fruit in the shape of the number of youth players progressing through to Senior-level rugby."

Pictured left, Keith added: “This is a hugely exciting time for the club with the new Clubhouse almost completed, for the game of rugby in general with the forthcoming Rugby World Cup, but particularly for the Mini and Junior sections thanks in no small measure to Chris’s efforts.

"I am privileged to pick up the reins of the Youth Section when it is in such good shape, but in doing so I rely on the efforts of countless volunteers: coaches, referees, administrators, first-aiders, ground staff and pitch markers, fixture secretaries, committee member and many more besides.

"The recent NatWest RugbyForce day demonstrated the great club spirit here at Banbury RUFC. We are however still too reliant on a few people putting in excessive hours to run our Club, and it would really be great to see more volunteers stepping forward in order to share the load more widely.

"I hope every member and parent will, to paraphrase JFK, ask not what the Club can do for them but what they can do for our Club! Please do consider offering a little of your time to make this great club even greater, and to help capitalise on the World Cup, and make full use of the wonderful building which is our new home.

"Here's to a fantastic new season, indeed a new era, and I look forward to meeting you all in person in September."