This demonstrates a steady increase in participation rates over the last five years. Training is now run for ages 10 through to 16 at Oxfordshire’s only rugby league club with three teams running at under 12’s, 14’s and 16’s before the step up to open age rugby is made. This season saw the youth sections first product Charlie Liversage make his debut for the open age side and it is hoped that more will follow in the 2019 campaign.

As a result of the increase in playing numbers the Cavaliers have also had to develop the coaching staff and there are now four UKCC Level 2 qualified coaches at the club who operate with each of the age groups. As a result of the quality coaching being received there has been a huge success with players from three different age groups being selected for representative rugby in the Namco London Origin Series. This is the next step towards professional game as the players will look to secure a place on the London Broncos Scholarship and Academy programmes.

Billy McDermott has been selected in the under 14’s South squad and is the only member of a strong Oxford Cavaliers squad that have just been formed. Callum Snook, Liam Antrobus and Owen Michael have all received a call up to the under 15’s South squad after the three have been playing up an age group for the club in the U16’s league this season. Antrobus has returned to the club after a two season absence and impressed whilst it has been the debut season for both Snook and Michael. All at the club have been really impressed with Michaels contribution this season, he is a real talent and has the potential to go a long way in the game if his first season in rugby league is anything to go by. Finally Ben Bright, Andrew Anderson and Jake Relton have all earned a call up to the U17’s South squad as a result of their hard work over the last five seasons.

The seven players selected follow in the footsteps of players such as Jonny Harrington, Marcus Reading, Dec Ross, Alfie Beckett, Euan Stamp, Sean Baker and Cameron Scott who have been selected in previous seasons with Stamp and Scott both representing London Broncos in a number of fixtures this season. Head of Youth Development at Oxford Cavaliers Jamie Jones was extremely happy with the selections but at the same time feels there could have been more which demonstrates the clubs drive to develop the grassroots and give them playing opportunities at different levels. Jones said “It is great news for the seven lads that have been selected and it is fully deserved after a tough season but at the same time you have to feel for the lads that missed out”. Jones was referring to Cavaliers under 14’s player Ben Vernede who has been absolutely outstanding in his first season and is very unfortunate not to receive the call and went on to say “Ben is a real talent and I am sure that when he is given the chance to play representative rugby he will impress”.

All the players will be invited to celebrate the launch of the partnership with Namco UK Ltd on Tuesday 11th September at Namco Funscape London with the Origin Series getting under way on Saturday 15th September at Esher RFC and the follow up fixture will be held at Hemel Stags on Saturday 29th September. All at the Cavaliers would like to congratulate the boys for their selection and wish them good luck in both fixtures.