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West Oxfordshire Levellers RL are a community based Rugby League club who train and play matches in Witney, Oxfordshire.

Early years
The club was founded in 2019 by former Oxford Cavaliers RLFC and Oxford RL player John Connaughton. Originally called Bartholomew Bulldogs, the club changed name when moving from it’s first base in Eynsham to Wood Green School in Witney. The Levellers moniker was chosen specifically to create a local rivalry with Oxford Cavaliers RLFC and tap into the rich local Civil War history. The club was officially launched at Burford Church which was the site of executions carried out by Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers on three of the original Levellers.

As the team grew momentum Covid 19 struck and prevented any form of training or competitive matches. To overcome this, the team hosted its first ever match online in a format that loosely followed Rugby League.

Identity
The club’s colours are sea green, dark green and red for home matches; and yellow with black hoops for away matches. The crest features a lobster pot helmet and sprig of rosemary as worn by the original Levellers movement. The motto of the club is “Valiant and True” which is taken from a gravestone of an original Leveller.

The club uses various forms of social media, often depicting astronauts in their posts which do not appear to have any connection or relevance to the team.

[1]rugby-league.com

[2]westoxfordshirelevellers.co.uk

Present day
The Levellers play in primary and secondary school age groups, as well as adult men’s and mixed gender adult competitions. The club plays both contact and limited contact versions of Rugby League. The first face to face men’s match was played between the Levellers and Swindon St George, with the latter winning and taking away the Francis George Cup which was commissioned for the event. The game was actually played at the Levellers previous base, Bartholomew School in Eynsham and during torrential rain.

At this time of writing, it is understood the Levellers aim to work with their main sponsor to encourage adult workers to take up the sport and provide apprenticeships for school leavers #workn2play #playn2work.

Community links and Charity
West Oxfordshire Levellers RL hosted their inaugural Family Fun Day in September 2023 in aid of the Oxfordshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). The club aims for this to become an annual calendar event.

The club is run by teacher John Connaughton, ably assisted by former pupils as coaches and other members of the local community who volunteer their services.

The future
The team expresses an interest to further develop boys and men’s teams, in addition to women’s and girls sides. Ambitions also include learning disability, physical disability and wheelchair versions of Rugby League.