Surface Grass Team Oxford Rugby League | Owner University of Oxford | |
Former names The New Football Ground Location Iffley Road, Oxford, England Similar Coronation Chair, University of Oxford Botanic G, Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Museum of the History of Scienc | ||
Iffley Road rugby football ground is a playing-field in Oxford, England. It is the home of Oxford University Rugby Football Club and until 2016 was the home of semi-professional Oxford Rugby League. It is close to the Iffley Road Track (now known as the Roger Bannister running track).
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History
The land was originally bought in 1876 and was used as a cricket ground until Oxford University Cricket Club moved to the Parks in 1881.
Oxford Union RFC bought the field from Christ Church in the 1890s for £1,000. It was called the New Football Ground, and the cricket pavilion continued to be used by the new owners. Oxford University A.F.C. shared the facilities until they moved to a neighbouring field in 1921.
Oxford Rugby League played their first game at Iffley Road in 2013.
Rugby union
Iffley Road is the home ground of the Oxford University Rugby Football Club. Many matches against international teams have been played at Iffley Road. Oxford University has played there against South Africa six times (1906, 1912, 1931, 1951, 1960 and 1969), New Zealand 5 times (1905, 1924, 1935, 1953 and 1963) and Australia 8 times (1908, 1927, 1947, 1957, 1966, 1975, 1981 and 2001). In 2013 and 2014, the University played Russia.
Other games include Canada vs Maori All Blacks in 2012 and England under-16s vs Wales under-16s.
Rugby league
Rugby league was first played at Iffley Road in 2008 when the University of Oxford played Oxford Brookes.
Semi-professional rugby league arrived in 2013 when Oxford Rugby League entered Championship 1 based at Iffley Road.
The draw for the 3rd round of the 2013 Challenge Cup was made in the Rugby Pavilion at Iffley Road by actor Kevin Whately and Bruce Ray, the communications director of Carlsberg UK, the owners of cup sponsors Tetley.
Oxford RL’s move from Iffley Road has been given the seal of approval by the RFL and the Blues will commence operating in their new home at Tilsley Park, Abingdon in the 2016 season.