Teams within the OUAFC

The Oxford University American Football Club supports a wide range of competition formats both representative of the University, and within the Collegiate University. 

11 on 11, Full Contact Football

Traditionally Oxford has fielded an 11 on 11 Full Contact squad (previously called the Oxford Combined Universities Cavaliers - see History) to compete at a national level against other university teams. In 2000, Oxford were the national champions, and 2001, the runners up. Recent changes to the governing body for student football have required all universities to field teams of only their students, and thus the Cavaliers were disbanded, and reborn within Oxford as the Lancers. Oxford Brookes University benefitted the most from this split and their team are currently competing as the Panthers in the BUAFL. The Lancers are rebuilding the programme and expect to be fielding a team for the BUAFL 2012 season. In the meantime, we are playing associate/friendly games against a range of opponents.

5 on 5, Non-Contact (Flag) Football

Flag football is a derivative of the 11 on 11 game where 5 athletes compete on a smaller field, without contact (think Basketball), but following many of the same rules and principles. Many of the skills used here apply equally to the full contact game, but the key difference is that a tackle is made by grabbing one of two detachable flags from a belt worn at waist level. This sport is perhaps more suited to mixed gender games, and some competitions insist on teams fielding teams of both men and women together. The pace of a flag game is usually quicker and matches can be played in around 45 minutes (realtime - compared to the 60 minutes of game time that equates to 3 hours of realtime), making this a good choice for tournament play and more casual involvement in the sport.

6 vs 6, Women's Full-Contact Football

A new format being introduced by the BUAFL this year is a separate competition for women, but incorporating the full range of skills and experiences of the original full contact sport, but acknowledging that 11 person teams are difficult to field (typically requiring 25+ members to be able to complete a typical season). We hope to field an Oxford squad this year.

College (Flag) Teams

The OUAFC also support the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Flag Football competitions. Last year saw the inaugural Trinity Cup being played over a one day tournament. For 2011 onwards we are introducing and supporting an extended format of games throughout the year leading to a more formalised cuppers-like competition later on.