Initially we used the local Youth Club after home matches and hospitality consisted of a cup of tea and a sandwiches. After a couple of years the landlord of the White Hart at Longham, Jim Kellaway, gained a special 4.30pm Licence and provided the nomadic Old Oakmeadians with their first watering hole in 1964. The next 15 years was a roller-coaster of ups and downs, taking advantage of the little known ‘Sporting Event’ licence and as circumstances dictated so did the watering holes. From the White Hart pub to Bluebirds Social Club, The Ensbury Park Hotel, The Talbot in Winton and finally the Poppies Football Club. Despite occasionally being reduced to one team, the club spirit stayed strong. In the early 1980’s Old Oakmeadians RFC, dropped the ‘Old’ and searched for a new environment.
At last lady luck arrived in 1988 when local club Portcastrians RFC declined an offer from the council to take over the running of Meyrick Park and Oakmeadians RFC jumped at the opportunity. In the last 20 years Oakmeadians has developed Meyrick Park into a superb clubhouse with an extensive balcony looking down over two excellent pitches and a large floodlit training area.
Since Moving to Meyrick Park, Oakmeadians RFC has been one of the fastest rising clubs in the country. A clubhouse extension and now a complete refurbishment of the existing changing rooms make Oakmeadians at Meyrick Park into one of the best locations in South West England. In addition we are also working our way towards achieving a Rugby Foundation Seal of Approval.
Oakmeadians (Oaks) run 3 Senior teams, Vets, Ladies and a Mini & Youth section appropriately called the Acorns. Rugby is played in the park 6 days per week. The Club has strong links with Bournemouth University who also train and play with us.
The club's 1st team has just been promoted to the RFU South West 1 East, and fully intend to progress even further.
If you'd like to join up please feel free to come alone.
Oakmeadians RFC
Meyrick Park
Central Drive
Bournemouth
BH2 6LJ
Tel. 01202 789497
Mobile. 07964194345