Old Albanian Rugby Football Club
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Old Albanian Rugby Football Club (OAs) is a rugby club based in St. Albans
The clubs runs up to six senior teams each week and has one of the largest Mini and Junior sections in the country. There is a thriving social membership and members enjoy some of the finest of facilities in the country. The club's mission is 'To promote the game of rugby at all levels of ability, across all age groups and for both sexes.'
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[edit] Formation
The club was formed in 1924 by a group of far sighted Old Boys of St Albans School (Hertfordshire) with a mutual love of the game (and doubtless an ale or two as well!) They acquired their first pavilion which was a timber WW1 Barrack Hut. Organised rugby was thus established in St. Albans providing rugby union for all.
[edit] Men's Rugby
1987 Selected, with 2 other Hertfordshire clubs, to form part of the London League Division 2.
1998 Won the the Herts. President's Cup.
2001 Won the Country Sevens and were runners up in the Herts. President's Cup.
2003 Promotion to the London League Division One.
2005 Reached their highest ever league position (5th place in Powergen London One).
The men's coaching team is led by Bruce Millar, ex Saracens chief.
[edit] Women's Rugby
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.
[edit] Woollams
In the following year the Old Albanian Sports Association finally gained planning permission to develop Cheapside Farm into Woollams. In September 2002 the new development opened and a match against a star studded international XV led by Peter Winterbottom formed the centre-piece of the opening ceremony.
[edit] Representative Honours
OAs have had players recognized at county level national level.
Barbarians: Steve Pope, Greg Botterman
Serbia: Danilo Bulatovic
Sweden: Charlie Openshaw
[edit] Facilities
The state of the art sporting complex in St. Albans was acknowledged as the largest sporting development in Europe during its construction. It is regarded by many as the finest amateur sporting venue in the land. Woollams is the choice of Saracens for their 'A' team's home fixtures and has hosted both England Under 16 and England RFUW International matches.
