Varndell helping to inspire next generation at Oxford Quins
Former England and England Sevens wing Tom Varndell began his rugby aged nine and is now helping to welcome youngsters into the sport who might never have had the chance to play.
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In his Premiership days, Tom held the record for tries scored with 92, made 180 Premiership appearances including 82 for Leicester Tigers, 88 for Wasps and 10 for Bristol Bears. Tom also earned four England caps and won a Commonwealth 7s gold medal with England Sevens.
As well as being Head of Men’s Rugby at the university, Tom heads up the Oxford Quins Inspire Programme which aims to grow the game and engage young people who might not normally get the chance to play rugby. He is delighted to see students take on community coaching roles with his supervision and going into local primary and secondary schools.
Tom’s three sons are involved in the sport, Roman, aged six, and ten-year-old Hudson at Colville RFC, and sixteen-year-old Taio playing on the wing at Brookesby College, and like his dad was at that age, part of Leicester Tigers Academy.
Loving rugby’s camaraderie and values
“I started rugby aged nine at Chinnor, about half an hour from Oxford Quins. Until I found rugby I wasn’t really into any sport. I loved rugby: learning to work together, having instant friends, a special group, winning games, tournaments, being part of a team and learning rugby’s values. That hasn’t changed, the camaraderie and values, that’s what I really love and what still exists at whatever level you play.
“I came through state school until I got a sports scholarship to Colston’s. If I can get 10% of the state school kids we work with continuing to enjoy rugby and even one or maybe two getting to the top level that would be great. Oxford Quins want to keep them interested, keep kids enjoying rugby and they are also making it affordable at a time when there’s a cost-of-living crisis. It’s brilliant the way the club is working with the university and Quin’s facilities, with the RFU 3G pitch, are fantastic. It’s a partnership that’s really working, with community outreach which is impressive.”
Amateur ethos, professional outlook
To support the growth and recruitment of young players, the club also runs bespoke rugby holiday camps, as well as holiday camps funded by their local council. They also have a youth sponsorship fund to support families with both membership costs as well as kit where needed.
Club chair Jack Pooler talks of the club’s aspiration to be the leading community rugby club in the country and doing this whilst maintaining the club’s amateur status but developing their professional approach to all the club’s activities.
The partnership with Oxford Brookes benefits players, students and both organisations. The student coaches gain valuable experience and job opportunities, whilst the club gains their enthusiasm and input in schools and on holiday camps.
Added to this is the innovative Brookes/Quins Physio Development Program. Final year Masters & BSc physio students undertake the RFU’s PHICS pitch-side care specialist course and, under the supervision of Ella Sissons, the club’s Head of Medical and graduate of the program, become part of a team providing pitch-side cover for the three men’s teams, women’s teams, and U18 Academy sides. Tuesday and Thursday training sessions see up to six physiotherapy students working under the supervision of a team of six qualified physiotherapists to provide treatment to the club’s players.
It is little wonder then that Oxford Quins were awarded Rugby World Magazine’s Club of the Year for 2023.
The club and university partnership is a gift that has been worked on and keeps on giving. Students play home matches at the club, and Fin Kelly acts as both Head Coach of the University and the club’s Women’s teams.
Club chair Jack, who has been a member since the club was formed in 1996, said: “We were very fortunate to get buy in from the university and the partnership is integral to how we recruit boys and girls from local schools, whilst benefiting students and their job prospects.”
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