Ovenden have won many trophies over the years and produced many outstanding players. From day one, the teamwork of players, supporters and volunteers was regarded as the keystone to their achievements.
Ovenden were always known as a true “community sports club,” truly reflecting the involvement of children young people and the “not so young” in promoting Rugby League in the district. The Ovenden club was also always proud of its ability to produce its own talented players and involve children and young people, from its local community, in Rugby League.
Over the years, the membership of Ovenden Rugby League, be they players, committee members or supporters would be predominantly from the local area, often spanning generations of local families who introduced their children and their grandchildren to the club.
There was rugby in Ovenden for several years in the 1880’s although it was for the 1899-1900 season that a team from Ovenden joined the newly formed Halifax and District ...
Ovenden A.R.L.F.C. was formed at a meeting in the Railway Hotel, Nursery Lane, in August 1939, and played the first game against Highroad Well the following month on a pitch ...
This was a very successful period for the Ovenden club. Early stalwarts of the club were players like Ivor Frowen, Cess Greenwood, Harry Hamer and Jimmy Spruce who once kicked ...
Ovenden continued to grow as a club playing in the Halifax and District then later in the newly created Halifax and Huddersfield Joint Rugby League. In 1961, they also asked ...
With a balance of young and experienced players, Ovenden grew into a force within amateur Rugby League. With new young players joining the U16 team – made up almost exclusively ...
The decade highlight was the building and opening of Ovenden’s own club house adjacent to their ground in 1982. For the very first time the club had a home to ...
The 1990’s, proved to be another golden decade for the Ovenden club. They had at times three open age teams plus a 4th team playing friendlies as well as 12 ...
With the Ovenden club flourishing and providing for ever more teams at junior level and including girls Rugby League as well all seemed to bode well for a bright future, ...
In 1961, Yorkshire and Halifax player, Jack Scroby, who had good connections with Ovenden, met Ulverston coach, Wilbur Athersmith, at a Rugby Football League coaching course at Lilleshall. They quickly ...
In 1997, Ovenden made their debut against a professional side in the Rugby League Challenge Cup when they played Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue in the 3rd Round of the ...
Ovenden have won the trophy a record number of times over the years. Starting in the 1948-49 season, the trophy has gone to Ovenden on twelve occasions, the last being ...
Ovenden’s success was also reflected in their victories in the Halifax Championship. From the very first season of the club, Ovenden were competitive throughout their existence. They won their first ...
Ovenden who were at the time playing in the Pennine League were elected to the National Conference. For the 1995-96 playing season. Their debut game was at home against Hull ...
Whilst the focus of a Rugby League club always tends to be on the club’s first team, Ovenden never forgot their “A” team and in some seasons put out a ...
Ovenden ARLFC had a long history of fielding junior teams. In the club’s early years in the 1950’s and 1960’s this meant almost exclusively teams in age groups between U17 ...
In 1980, the Ovenden club agreed to rent part of Four Fields for a clubhouse. With backing from Tetley’s Brewery and grants from Yorkshire and Humberside Sports Council and Calderdale ...
In 2009, Ovenden Sports and Community Arena (OSCA) was formed a non-profit making company to promote sport and community in the area. Ovenden ARLFC joined Ovenden West Riding AFC in ...
Today, Ovenden ARLFC is no more. After eight decades of Rugby League in Ovenden not only had the clubhouse closed its doors for the last time but the lights went ...
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