SPORT AT OA
Old Albanian Rugby Football Club (OAs) is a rugby club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The club won promotion from National League 2 South in 2011–12 to National League 1, and in 2012–13 finished 5th, their highest ever place in the English rugby union system. The cub was relegated from National One at the end of the 2014–15 season, after an administration error led to a five-point deduction; this meant that the club missed out on staying up by just a single point. They were promoted in 2015–16 via the play-off and play in National League 1.
The club was formed in 1924 by a group of far-sighted Old Boys of St Albans School with a mutual love of the game. They acquired their first pavilion which was a timber World War I Barrack Hut, and located at Beech Bottom. Organised rugby was thus established in St Albans, providing rugby union for all. They are the largest community sports club in Hertfordshire.
Mini & Juniors
Every Sunday morning in the season more than 850 Minis and Juniors; who stretch as far as the eye can see; turn out with their parents and coaches. Many trophies have been won at county level at all age groups, which also includes a successful colts side. OAJRFC is proud to offer rugby for boys and girls aged 3 to 17.
Our Under 6, Under 7 and Under 8 children play tag rugby, a fast, non-contact form of rugby, in accordance with the RFU Kids First Rugby pathway.
Contact Rugby begins at Under 9 level, and along with the Under 10s, Under 11s and Under 12s.
New players are welcome in most age groups, please see the details for joining Old Albanian JRFC. A map and directions to the Woollams Playing Fields are available on this website, and please read the parking guidelines for visiting the Mini and Junior club on Sunday mornings.
In 2005 the first women's XV ('The Saints'), unbeaten since November 2003, secured the South East One league title without losing a game. They won promotion to National League 2 in the subsequent play-off competition, securing victory over each of their regional rivals. In 2010 the OA Saints 1st XV gained promotion to the RFUW Premiership.
A new approach in how we play and building depth in our squad has reaped rewards, finishing a strong 3rd position in Championship South East 2 League last season, winning 12 out of 16 games. A key result of this has been the strong links we have with the Junior Saints transitioning into Women’s rugby and contributing immensely in latter half of last season.
STRICTLY NO DOGS
OA Cricket
OA Cricket plays in the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League, running four sides every Saturday:
1st XI - Division 1;
2nd XI - Division 5B;
3rd XI - Division 9A; and
4th XI - Regional Division B East.
There are also occasional Sunday fixtures and a Junior section that comprises sides from Under 5 to Under 17 age groups.
2018 winter nets are underway for all age groups on Sunday afternoons/evenings at Beaumont School, St Albans ahead of the summer season.
Old Albanian Cricket Club is proud to be a learning destination for the South Hertfordshire Children’s University, an exciting initiative which encourages and rewards children aged 5-14 for taking part in high-quality learning opportunities outside school hours, at weekends and in the holidays.
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For more information about their costs and upcoming games, visit their OACC website
OA Tennis
The OA’s Tennis Club consists of adults and children who play at all levels from beginner to advanced.
The Club has 4 Astro grass courts situated at the far end of the main Clubroom car park. Social Club play is on Tues and Fri evenings and on Sunday morning.
Members have access to the courts any time outside of scheduled competition matches.
For more competitive players, OA’s Tennis have teams in the following competitions:
Summer: Watford and District League - Men's, Women's and Mixed Team.
Autumn: Datchworth League - Mixed A and B Teams
Winter: East Herts Mixed Vets Team and Herts Ladies Over 40’s Team
Margie Edge is the Head Coach, for enquiries email Margie: 22safina@gmail.com alongside James Eggleton, both being LTA Level 3 Accredited Coaches.
Margie and James run Term time adults and children's coaching groups throughout the week and run Children's’ Holiday Camps all holidays except for the Christmas holidays.
They can also be booked for individual coaching sessions whether for beginners, rusty racket players, improvers or advanced.
The OA’s Tennis Club prides itself on being a warm, welcoming and super friendly club that is situated on the magnificent Woollams playing fields and surrounded by nature.
OA’s Tennis Club is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy ‘a spot of tennis’.
For more information: www.oatennis.com or email Margie: 22safina@gmail.com
