United Hospitals RFC
Encyclopedia
The United Hospitals Rugby Football Club represents the six medical schools in London
, each of whom have their own distinct rugby clubs but from whom are picked a select fifteen to compete for UHRFC. The club exists to encourage and facilitate rugby at these institutions. It is perhaps most notable for hosting the United Hospitals Cup, the oldest rugby cup competition in the world.
was formed, the first such organisation for rugby football in the world. However, rugby itself had been slowly but steadily evolving for a number of decades before that point since its inception in the 1820s. The game, with a variety of interpretations over the rules employed, had become popular in many of the public schools of the British Isles
and this had extended to the universities as well. The established medical schools of the time were no exception and among the students within these schools was a desire to continue playing the sport of their school days. The medical schools of London had rugby clubs that were among the earliest founded, with Guy's Hospital
said to have the oldest rugby club in the world having been founded in 1843. With the rise of more clubs there was an expansion in the number of matches played and in 1867 the United Hospitals RFC was formed, which brought together on an invitational basis, representatives of the various London hospitals for matches against established teams, such as Cambridge University.
between Guy's Hospital and St George's Hospital with Guy's winning by 1 Goal (a converted try) and 1 try to 2 tries. With the exception of breaks for the two world wars of the twentieth century, the United Hospitals Challenge Cup has been played for without interruption since that first final.
, Middlesex Hospital RFC
and Royal Free Hospital RFC
in 1998 to form RUMS RFC, St Mary's Hospital RFC and Charing Cross & Westminster Hospitals RFC to form Imperial Medics RFC in 1997, and Guy's Hospital FC
, St Thomas' Hospital RFC
and Guy's and St. Thomas' RFC
to form Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club
that is now recognised as King's College London Medical School. The exception to the tide of mergers and renaming is St George’s RFC
which is still a stand alone institution, although it has moved premises.
Some of these teams were once in the very top level of English rugby with Guy's in particular being potentially the best club in England for parts of the 1920s and 30s. In recent years the demographic changes within the schools have resulted in an overall decline in the number of rugby players and the advent of the league system within rugby union reflected a perceived decline in the quality of rugby played. The United Hospitals Team itself has been reflective of the quality within its constituent parts. Currently, Imperial Medics FC are the highest ranked rugby union side of the five schools, playing in the London 3 NW. All teams play in the BUSA
leagues at varying levels (with RUMS, GKT and Imperial Medics being the highest placed teams).
After being proposed for membership in 2008, The Royal Veterinary College
joined the United Hospitals in 2009.
United Hospitals
United Hospitals is the historical collective name of the medical schools of London. They are all part of the University of London with the exception of Imperial College School of Medicine which left in 2007. The original United Hospitals referred to Guy's Hospital and St Thomas's Hospital and...
, each of whom have their own distinct rugby clubs but from whom are picked a select fifteen to compete for UHRFC. The club exists to encourage and facilitate rugby at these institutions. It is perhaps most notable for hosting the United Hospitals Cup, the oldest rugby cup competition in the world.
History
In 1871 the Rugby Football UnionRugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
was formed, the first such organisation for rugby football in the world. However, rugby itself had been slowly but steadily evolving for a number of decades before that point since its inception in the 1820s. The game, with a variety of interpretations over the rules employed, had become popular in many of the public schools of the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
and this had extended to the universities as well. The established medical schools of the time were no exception and among the students within these schools was a desire to continue playing the sport of their school days. The medical schools of London had rugby clubs that were among the earliest founded, with Guy's Hospital
Guy's Hospital
Guy's Hospital is a large NHS hospital in the borough of Southwark in south east London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It is a large teaching hospital and is home to the King's College London School of Medicine...
said to have the oldest rugby club in the world having been founded in 1843. With the rise of more clubs there was an expansion in the number of matches played and in 1867 the United Hospitals RFC was formed, which brought together on an invitational basis, representatives of the various London hospitals for matches against established teams, such as Cambridge University.
United Hospitals Challenge Cup
In 1874 the United Hospitals instituted the oldest cup competition in the game of rugby, the United Hospitals Challenge Cup, also known as the Inter-Hospital Challenge Cup, and is the oldest cup competition in the game of rugby. The first final was played on Wednesday 3 March 1875 at The OvalThe Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
between Guy's Hospital and St George's Hospital with Guy's winning by 1 Goal (a converted try) and 1 try to 2 tries. With the exception of breaks for the two world wars of the twentieth century, the United Hospitals Challenge Cup has been played for without interruption since that first final.
Present state
The status and quality of the individual medical schools teams has varied considerably since their individual inception dates. Since the United Hospitals FC was formed, the institutions that are represented by the member teams have been through considerable change, and hand-in-hand with these changes in the institutions have been changes in the teams that represent them. Thus, the The Royal London Hospital RFC (formed in 1865) and the Barts Hospital RFC (formed in 1866) in 1996 formed Royal Hospitals RFC when the institutions merged. Similar stories sit behind the mergers of University College Hospital RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC
Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
, Middlesex Hospital RFC
Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC
Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
and Royal Free Hospital RFC
Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC
Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
in 1998 to form RUMS RFC, St Mary's Hospital RFC and Charing Cross & Westminster Hospitals RFC to form Imperial Medics RFC in 1997, and Guy's Hospital FC
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
, St Thomas' Hospital RFC
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
and Guy's and St. Thomas' RFC
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
to form Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club
Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
that is now recognised as King's College London Medical School. The exception to the tide of mergers and renaming is St George’s RFC
St. George’s Hospital Medical School RFC
St. George’s Hospital Medical School RFC is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world having been founded in 1863. The side is notable for its long history, its participation in the oldest competition in rugby, the United Hospitals Cup, as well as having produced a large number of international...
which is still a stand alone institution, although it has moved premises.
Some of these teams were once in the very top level of English rugby with Guy's in particular being potentially the best club in England for parts of the 1920s and 30s. In recent years the demographic changes within the schools have resulted in an overall decline in the number of rugby players and the advent of the league system within rugby union reflected a perceived decline in the quality of rugby played. The United Hospitals Team itself has been reflective of the quality within its constituent parts. Currently, Imperial Medics FC are the highest ranked rugby union side of the five schools, playing in the London 3 NW. All teams play in the BUSA
Busa
Busa may refer to:*Busa language , a language used in New Guinea*Busa language , a language used in Africa*BUSA, the former British Universities Sports Association, now known as the British Universities & Colleges Sport...
leagues at varying levels (with RUMS, GKT and Imperial Medics being the highest placed teams).
After being proposed for membership in 2008, The Royal Veterinary College
Royal Veterinary College
The Royal Veterinary College is a veterinary school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. The RVC was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949...
joined the United Hospitals in 2009.
Current members
| Hospital Team | Crest | Established | Hospital(s) represented |
|---|---|---|---|
| St George’s RFC St. George’s Hospital Medical School RFC St. George’s Hospital Medical School RFC is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world having been founded in 1863. The side is notable for its long history, its participation in the oldest competition in rugby, the United Hospitals Cup, as well as having produced a large number of international... |
 |
1863 | St George's, University of London St George's, University of London St George's, University of London is a medical school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London... |
| Royal Hospitals RFC |  |
1996 | Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry |
| ICSM RFC | 1997 | Imperial College School of Medicine Imperial College School of Medicine The Imperial College School of Medicine is the medical school of Imperial College London in England, and one of the United Hospitals.... |
|
| RUMS RFC Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby... |
1998 | UCL Medical School | |
| GKT RFC Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge... |
1999 | King's College London School of Medicine and Dentistry King's College London School of Medicine and Dentistry King's College London School of Medicine is the medical school of King's College London, and one of the United Hospitals... |
|
| Royal Veterinary College RFC | To be confirmed | Royal Veterinary College Royal Veterinary College The Royal Veterinary College is a veterinary school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. The RVC was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949... |
|
Members merged into current participants
- The Royal London Hospital RFC (formed in 1865 - in 1996 formed Royal Hospitals RFC)
- Barts Hospital RFC (formed in 1866 - in 1996 formed Royal Hospitals RFC)
- University College Hospital RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
(in 1998 formed RUMS RFC) - Middlesex Hospital RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
(in 1998 formed RUMS RFC) - Royal Free Hospital RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
(in 1998 formed RUMS RFC) - St Mary's Hospital RFC (founded 1865 - in 1997 formed Imperial Medics RFC)
- Charing Cross & Westminster Hospitals RFC (founded 1984 through merger - in 1997 formed Imperial Medics RFC)
- Charing Cross Hospital FC (founded pre-1868) - in 1984 formed Charing Cross and Wesminster RFC
- Westminster Hospital FC - in 1984 formed Charing Cross and Wesminster RFC
- Guy's Hospital FCGuy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football ClubGuy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
(founded 1843 now part of GKT) - St Thomas' Hospital RFCGuy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football ClubGuy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
(founded 1867 now part of GKT) - Guy's and St. Thomas' RFCGuy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football ClubGuy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club is the name given to the modern amalgam of three formerly distinct hospital rugby clubs each with a long history, having all been founded in the nineteenth century. The teams from Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were the first to merge...
(founded 1990 now part of GKT)
Past Captains
- 2009-2010: Will Dooley (BL)
- 2008-2009: Simon Belrringer (ICSM)
- 2007-2008: Iain Wilson(GKT)
- 2006-2007: Rhys Davies(GKT)
- 2005-2006: Jon Palmer (RUMS)
- 2004-2005: Richard Townsley (George's)
- 2003-2004:
- 2002-2003: Will Rudge (Georges)
- 2001-2002: Ryan Livingston (BL)
- 2000-2001: Mark Edmonson (GKT)