History

SHEFFIELD OAKS – A SHORT HISTORY

In the mid 1970’s Myers Grove School’s first XV were coming to the end of their school years. They had been hugely successful as a school team and as such were keen to continue their success upon leaving school. The lads looked around Sheffield and found that to carry on in the great sport that is rugby it was likely that they would have to go as individuals to the other clubs in the area.

The Oaks enjoyed a great run culminating in winning the Yorkshire trophy in 1992. The team had cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with in yorkshire rugby.

However, with 20 years under their belts the Oaks began to slide down the league structure and soon found themselves in Yorkshire 4, which they won in 2004.  This gathered in some new players and gave the club a temporary boost, but eventually time proved too much and in 2007 the club was on the ropes. Struggling to put out a single team and relying on aging players things did not look good for the now Yorkshire 5 club. Toward the end of the season the club president met with a number of senior players and made the decision to give it one more season rather than fold the club.

The season that followed proved to be a great success in terms of sparking the longevity of the club. A coalition was formed with the university security ‘ligers’ which brought players to Oaks. This also allows Oaks to recruit from Sheffield’s vast student community. Within a season Oaks had grown in size and halved in age, by 2008/09 season the Oaks had moved to the Niagara facility and were looking at putting out 2 teams on a regular basis. The numbers continued to increase, attracting players from all over and from all abilities.

Oaks have always attracted players of quality, in their past they have named Mark Aston (Sheffield Eagles coach and from GB Rugby league) on their team sheet. In more recent years players from the Army XV, South Africa U21 and England Deaf have graced the pitch in an Oaks shirt, all these building on the legacy created by the Oaks original XV.

So today Oaks are in a healthier position than ever, running 2 full adult teams, training year round at their new home at Niagara and climbing back up the leagues. All players are welcome to join the club regardless of ability, previous experience or age. It is no surprise that Oaks have formed partnerships with similarly minded businesses as sponsors and suppliers, deals and partnerships have sprung up with The Ball Inn, Akuma rugby and most impressive of all the brewing of ‘Oaks and Glory’ by Crown brewery as an innovative method of gathering revenue.  Sheffield Oaks are a team in the ascendency in Sheffield, it’s something great to be part of.