THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BLUES
The Oxford University Blues are the club's high performance team. The Blues follow an intense training regimen, practicing three times per week in addition to individual skill workouts, video analysis meetings, and strength & conditioning sessions. Our performance team has access to the university’s world class Iffley Road Sports Centre. The Centre is comprised of two basketball courts including the brand new Acer Nethercott Sports Hall, which was completed in 2018, where the Blues practice and play most of their home games. Players also have access to the performance gym, a swimming pool, and the Roger Bannister track.
The Blues play two games per week and compete in NBL Division Three Southwest and BUCS Midlands 1A. In seasons where the Blues don't play national league, they play in the Oxfordshire & District local league. In addition to league and cup games, the Blues season revolves around a series of historical rivalries.
The Varsity Game
The Blues are part of the biggest rivalry in university sports, Oxford vs Cambridge. The annual Oxford-Cambridge basketball match, officially known as The Varsity Game is the highlight of the basketball calendar. The Varsity Game is the oldest basketball competition still being played in the United Kingdom and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. Since the inaugural Varsity Game in 1921, The Oxford University Dark Blues lead the series 55-20. The Varsity Game is usually played during the last weekend of Hilary Term.
Town vs Gown
The Town vs Gown game is an annual fixture played in Hilary Term between Oxford University (Gown) and the best team in Oxford (Town). In recent years the Town has been represented by NBL Division 2 side, Oxford City Hoops. The contest dates back to 1983, and over the course of those 30 years, The Blues lead the series 15-7 .
The Oxford Derby
The Oxford Derby also known as the Headington Hill Head-to-Head is a two game series against cross-town rivals Oxford Brookes University. Game one of the series takes place in Michaelmas Term and game two takes place in Hilary Term. If the series is tied at the end of both games, the winner is decided by aggregate points difference.
Oxford University Blues vs Oxford & District League All-Stars
Dating back to 1968, this annual fixture sees the Blues take on the best players selected from the Oxford & District Basketball League. The All-Star game is the headline event of the OBA All-Star Weekend which also features a dunk contest and a three-point shoot out. This typically occurs during the same weekend as the NBA All-Star Game.
Blues vs Twos
During each term of the basketball season, the Twos (Oxford University's 2nd team) challenges the Blues to a basketball match. The Twos have never beaten the Blues, but there have been some very close contests over the years.
The Blues play two games per week and compete in NBL Division Three Southwest and BUCS Midlands 1A. In seasons where the Blues don't play national league, they play in the Oxfordshire & District local league. In addition to league and cup games, the Blues season revolves around a series of historical rivalries.
The Varsity Game
The Blues are part of the biggest rivalry in university sports, Oxford vs Cambridge. The annual Oxford-Cambridge basketball match, officially known as The Varsity Game is the highlight of the basketball calendar. The Varsity Game is the oldest basketball competition still being played in the United Kingdom and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. Since the inaugural Varsity Game in 1921, The Oxford University Dark Blues lead the series 55-20. The Varsity Game is usually played during the last weekend of Hilary Term.
Town vs Gown
The Town vs Gown game is an annual fixture played in Hilary Term between Oxford University (Gown) and the best team in Oxford (Town). In recent years the Town has been represented by NBL Division 2 side, Oxford City Hoops. The contest dates back to 1983, and over the course of those 30 years, The Blues lead the series 15-7 .
The Oxford Derby
The Oxford Derby also known as the Headington Hill Head-to-Head is a two game series against cross-town rivals Oxford Brookes University. Game one of the series takes place in Michaelmas Term and game two takes place in Hilary Term. If the series is tied at the end of both games, the winner is decided by aggregate points difference.
Oxford University Blues vs Oxford & District League All-Stars
Dating back to 1968, this annual fixture sees the Blues take on the best players selected from the Oxford & District Basketball League. The All-Star game is the headline event of the OBA All-Star Weekend which also features a dunk contest and a three-point shoot out. This typically occurs during the same weekend as the NBA All-Star Game.
Blues vs Twos
During each term of the basketball season, the Twos (Oxford University's 2nd team) challenges the Blues to a basketball match. The Twos have never beaten the Blues, but there have been some very close contests over the years.