Are you missing rugby? Suffering from the lockdown blues?

Here’s your chance to reminisce about past adventures with a copy of the 50th Anniversary Book.

The remaining uncollected books have been returned to sale and with Christmas approaching it’s an ideal time to grab one of the last copies

There are only a few books left, so if you know someone who would like one as a Christmas, Birthday or Anniversary gift you can get one at the Orcadian Bookshop in Kirkwall or from Ian Carse.

Each book covers the full history of the club as well as all the match facts and statistics throughout its history, and there is an abundance of photos of all the Club’s teams from its inception until the end of last season.

A book only costs £25 and each purchase makes a good contribution to the Club’s funds during this trying (pun intended!) time. The books need to be all sold to avoid the club being out of pocket, so if there’s somebody you know who still doesn’t have a copy, please pop down to the Orcadian Bookshop or call or text Ian Carse on 878339 or O7415 680706 and leave your contact details. You can also reserve a book by sending Ian an email.

Help your Club, Buy a Book, and give someone a wonderful present!!

***All members and supporters.***

The SRU have announced to end the current competitive season for 20/21. Given the current circumstances we feel that this is the correct decision. At the moment our main concern must be the safety of our community.

We would like to thank all the sponsors, social and playing members who have continued to support us throughout this difficult time.

As we are a tier 1 area we will continue to train across all age groups as long as regulations allow us to do so. We are taking all the appropriate safety measures to keep our players/coaches safe and will continue to do so. We would like to thank all the players who have been back playing and for following the guidance. We feel it is important for the club to offer a training opportunity for our club members for the their health and well-being.

As disappointing as it is to have no competitive rugby this season, the main thing is that everyone is safe and we can get everyone back to play the following season.

Thank you to everyone for all their support. We will keep you updated with any further changes.

Orkney rugby football club

Hello everyone, hope you are surviving these strange times.

I'm writing this year as usual to send you the social membership forms for the coming season.  However, as you'll know this year is not usual!

Every year your membership is very much appreciated in supporting the Club financially and we hope that in return you are able to enjoy watching some matches at whatever level or enjoy a drink in the Clubhouse and meet up for a yarn with friends old and new.

This year I'm afraid we cannot offer any of this.  At the moment, no competitive games until January 2021 at the earliest but this will obviously be under review.  Also, the Clubhouse is not open for changing facilities or socialising.  It's a sad state of affairs.

Rugby training has been underway for all sections for a few weeks now and numbers have been encouraging considering the situation we all find ourselves in.

So at a recent meeting (via zoom) it was suggested that I send out memberships but point out that at the moment the club can not offer you any games to watch or a club house to socialise in.

We would very much appreciate your support this year but understand that everyone's situations are difficult in these strange times.

Take care everyone and very much hope to see you soon.
Karen, Social membership secretary

You can complete a membership form online here

Today marks the beginning of this years Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week.

This week provides an opportunity to throw a spotlight on women and girls participation in sport and physical activity. Rugby is currently one of the fastest growing sports, but it doesn’t come without its barrier.

Here at Orkney Rugby Football Club, we want women and girls to get involved in rugby, either for the first time or returning after a break!

A very fitting video to share on the run up to the return of the Women’s Six Nations. Make sure and tune in tomorrow for Scotland v France at 2:20 on BBC Alba, and see for yourself what women can do. Thank you to those from the Women’s Scottish Rugby team who did their bit for the video!

The amazing poem featured in this video was written by one of our own, Paige Archibald.
#womenandgirlsinsportweek2020 #iamenough #SheCanSheWill

As the club looks to take our first few steps forward we have set the following protocols out for a return of senior rugby.

We are continuing to plan for a gradual return of all sections of the club. 

Thanks,
Brian Lanni and Gary Nicolson 
ORFC President and Chairman

• Please register for your session (check with coach on how to do that)
• Please turn up 5 minutes before your session
• If you have any Covid 19 symptoms, or have visited a country that is on quarantine list within the last 14 days, please do not attend training and continue to follow government guidelines
• Please turn up rugby ready as there are no changing facilities available at the moment
• Please bring your own water bottle
• On arrival you will be expected to sanitise your hands and check in for track and trace purposes
• Please follow social distancing before and after the session (do not shake hands)
• Players should try to avoid touching their face, spitting or coughing
• Players should avoid car sharing as per SRU guidelines

Dear All,
 
Well the season is now officially over and what a strange one it’s been.  With highs for our First XV of 11 wins, 11 bonus points, then lows of COVID 19 bringing the season to an abrupt end and the league declared null and void.  Our women have put in a good shift on and off the pitch, but again a quick halt. Our youth sections all had a good season up to Christmas then again all stop.
 
Let’s not dwell on the negatives but think of all the tidy gardens, the new ways of communication via Zoom, Face Time, Skype, What’s App and Team. The phone call to all friends old and new it has been a time of catch up for all and making time for each other. Remembering that we are a family orientated club please give me a call anytime if you need a catch up or a virtual coffee break, you are not alone as there are always kind ears to listen.

I want to thank all the club members, all the players, all the supporters and all the sponsors for their support over the last season. We have had some additional support from Tescos; £4000 towards the running of the club through the blue token voting which is much appreciated and here thanks go to all the local support for making this happen.
We have also had some Government support of a £10,000 grant and the SRU Hardship fund just over £3,500. These funds will help meet all our running costs until we are able to reopen hopefully in the not too distant future.

Keep up the exercise and fitness regimes and keep in touch with each other, I look forward to seeing you all again once the crisis is over.
 
Kindest regards,
 
Brian Lanni
President Orkney Rugby Football Club

Hi everyone,

Around this time of year we usually host our AGM,  given the current COVID circumstances we will be postponing this meeting until further notice.

When we feel the time is right for the community and the club we will ensure to give everyone enough notice of this event.

We hope everyone is staying safe and well and we will be in touch hopefully in the near future. 

Thank you

Gary Nicolson
ORFC Chairman

Following an eventful few years planning and participating in our Club’s 50th Anniversary celebrations I just wanted to thank you all for your contributions and support of these events, which has been invaluable.

We have made the most we can of the Club’s celebrations with a celebrity game against The Penguins on Saturday 20th August 2016 followed that same night with a Club celebration dinner dance in The Pickaquoy Centre which had 620 members, players, sponsors and guests in attendance. Al Kellock, Scotland’s Captain was the main speaker on the night and we heard and sang the first rendition of the ORFC Club Anthem “It’s More Than a Game”, composed and sung by Andy Cant and produced by Stewart Shearer.

There was a huge amount of work needed to organise and to pull off such a day and the Club is very grateful to all of you who helped with the organising of the event, attended the dinner/dance and/or helped make that day, indeed that weekend, such a memorable occasion.