Oxford City Stars

Oxford Ice Hockey News: Cancellation of the South 1 Return

It is with disappointment that the Oxford City Stars in conjunction with the Oxford Junior Stars Ice Hockey Club announce the club will not be returning to the NIHL 1 South Britton Division for the 2026/27 Season.

Read more below

After extensive efforts to secure the funding needed to enable the return of the Oxford City Stars (OCS) to NIHL1, we regret to inform everyone that our internal deadline has now passed & this will not be possible for the 2026/27 season.

A small team made up of members of Oxford Junior Stars (OJS), former sponsors of the OCS, & other enthusiastic individuals has been working hard to secure the necessary funding for a return.

This is disappointing news, but to provide some background:
In summer 2025, when the previous director of the OCS handed the team to OJS, the sole director promised to transfer any remaining money in the club accounts to support rebuilding the team. This has never happened & despite repeated attempts to make contact, no calls or funds have been received. From accounts lodged with Companies House, it was believed that approximately half of the amount required for a 2026/27 return was in the club accounts.

Towards the end of 2025, OJS were contacted by an overseas investor who wanted to fund the return of the OCS to NIHL1. Several calls & online meetings were held, & OJS were told clearly to seek funding elsewhere first, but that if this was not possible, the investor would provide the necessary funding. Business plans were shared, & a Crowdfunder was set up to try to secure support. Questions asked in January 2026 were never answered, & in February 2026 the investor decided he was no longer able to provide funds.

If either of the above had come to fruition, it would have been possible to enable a return for the OCS to NIHL1.

We would like to reiterate that the return of an NIHL1 team, completing the player pathway that includes OJS & a team in NIHL2, remains the club’s intention.

While this news will naturally be disappointing to many, there has been genuine progress towards a future NIHL1 return, & work will continue.

The Crowdfunder is now closed & all donations will be returned. We will be in touch with everyone who donated shortly.

With the NIHL2 team returning to OJS, we hope to announce plans for the 2026/27 season as soon as possible.

Head to Oxpens this evening for the 2nd leg of the Wilkonson Division Playoff Quarterfinals as the Oxford Rising Stars host the Peterborough Phantoms 2. The visitors travel to Oxpens with after a 7-1 win last night, but Rising will look to channel their performance from a few weeks ago to overturn the deficit.

Tickets on the door and available online: https://oxfordrisingstars.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/playoff_quarter_finals

GAME DAY

PLAYOFF QUARTER FINALS

Oxford Rising Stars vs Peterborough Phantoms 2

Doors Open: 5:30pm
Face Off: 6:15pm

Get your tickets for Sunday’s home game via TicketCo:
https://oxfordrisingstars.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/playoff_quarter_finals

Head down to Oxpens this weekend as the Oxford Rising Stars take to the Ice against the Phantoms 2 in a bid to reach the Steel City Showdown!

The Rising defeated the Phantoms just a few weeks ago and we want you to support them strongly this weekend!

PLAYOFF QUARTER FINALS

This Saturday marks the start of our playoff campaign as we hit the road to take on Peterborough Phantoms NIHL 2. Then on Sunday, we welcome them back to Oxpens for the second leg and we need you there, loud and proud. Let’s fill the rink and get behind the team!

Away Game
Saturday 28th March
Peterborough Phantoms 2 vs Oxford Rising Stars

Home Game
Sunday 29th March
Oxford Rising Stars vs Peterborough Phantoms 2

Doors Open: 5:30pm
Face Off: 6:15pm

Get your tickets for Sunday’s home game via TicketCo:
https://oxfordrisingstars.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/playoff_quarter_finals

We appreciate the feedback we have receieved and are now in a position to clarify further via this statement.

Oxford Rising Stars Oxford Junior Stars Ice Hockey Club

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/oxford-city-stars-are-coming-back

Following various requests for information regarding a proposed return of the Oxford City Stars ice hockey team, we would like to confirm the following:

Who will be in charge of running the team?
None of the most recent Oxford City Stars directors or coaches will be involved in the team’s return. Instead, the club will form part of the Oxford Junior Stars and will be managed by the Junior Committee, with any profits reinvested into the Oxford Ice Hockey Club pathway.

Why is it so expensive to return a team to NIHL1?
We have spoken in detail with various coaches and discussed what is involved financially and logistically in returning a team on a competitive basis.

The coaches we have spoken to have all provided similar budget estimates of around £120,000–£130,000 to achieve this. For reference, in its last season, the Oxford City Stars cost around £90,000 to run under the previous owners. Oxford Junior Stars are only interested in bringing back the City Stars with a team that can compete and will aim for a mid-table finish.

The long-term plan would be to become more financially sustainable over time as we continue to develop our promising Oxford players.

What about the Rising Stars NIHL2 team?
The NIHL2 team is vital and remains a very important part of the Oxford Ice Hockey pathway going forward.

What time frame are you working to, and when will announcements be made?
We have been in detailed discussions for some time with a range of people, including potential coaches, sponsors, and investors.

Realistically, we still need further investment to reach the 50% funding mark, and we have until 18th March 2026 to achieve this for the 2026/27 season.

If you would like to get involved in helping to run the Oxford City Stars, or would like to pledge start-up funding to help make this a reality, please email [email protected] by noon on 18th March 2026.

Work with the Stars - The Return to Competition

The Oxford City Stars are actively looking to return for the 2026/27 NIHL1 Season; under new ownership, with the Oxford Junior Stars Ice Hockey Club, the Oxford Rising Stars and the Oxford City Stars all under the same management umbrella for the first time.

We’re looking for passionate, motivated people to help lead the return of the Oxford City Stars NIHL1 team - bringing senior ice hockey success back to Oxford! 🏒💛💙

Working alongside our Oxford Rising Stars NIHL2 and Oxford Junior Stars Club, this is a fantastic opportunity to help build a sustainable pathway from Learn to Play all the way to senior hockey.

If you’re ready to be part of the next chapter of Oxford ice hockey, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 [email protected]
🗓️ Deadline: 15th December 2025

We’re looking for passionate, motivated people to help lead the return of the Oxford City Stars NIHL1 team - bringing senior ice hockey success back to Oxford! 🏒💛💙

Working alongside our Oxford Rising Stars NIHL2 and Oxford Junior Stars Club, this is a fantastic opportunity to help build a sustainable pathway from Learn to Play all the way to senior hockey.

If you’re ready to be part of the next chapter of Oxford ice hockey, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 [email protected]
🗓️ Deadline: 15th December 2025

ITS MATCH DAY | Charity Match

Head down to the Oxford Ice Rink this evening for an 18:15 faceoff as the UK Firefighters take on the Oxford Selects in a Charity Match in aid of the Firefighters Charity.

Grab your hockey fix as the doors open from 17:30; with donation on entry as the price of admission. Support a wonderful cause and get your sporting fix tonight!

Everyone at the Oxford City Stars would like to extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to all those affected by this sad news

The Lynx family is heartbroken to share the devastating news of the sudden passing of one of our brightest young stars, Gary Kelly, while on holiday.

Gary was more than just a talented hockey player — he was a young man full of heart, passion, and dedication. On the ice, he gave everything he had. Off the ice, he brought energy, kindness, and an infectious love of life that lifted everyone around him. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and that spirit left a lasting mark on our team, our club, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gary’s potential was limitless, but even more than that, he was simply a brilliant person to be around. He was part of our family, and his absence leaves a hole that cannot be filled.

We send our deepest condolences to Gary’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts are with you, and we stand with you in grief and in love.

As a club, we are doing all we can to support our players and members as they come to terms with this tragic loss.

Rest easy, Gary — you will always be one of our brightest stars. 🖤

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM OXFORD CITY STARS

Oxford City Stars would like to issue the following statement regarding the future direction of senior ice hockey in Oxford.

Over the past several weeks, the Directors of Oxford City Stars have been working closely with Oxford Junior Stars Ice Hockey Club to consider the long-term sustainability and growth of the sport within our local community.

Following positive and productive discussions, it has been agreed that Oxford City Stars will transition into the Oxford Junior Stars umbrella, creating a clear and connected pathway for aspiring players to develop from junior through to senior hockey, with competitive progression opportunities at NIHL Division 2 and ultimately NIHL Division 1 South levels.

However, it has become apparent that the timing of these discussions — occurring late in the off-season — means that this pathway cannot be fully implemented in time for the 2025–26 season.

As a result, and in consultation with England Ice Hockey, the Oxford City Stars will treat the upcoming season as a transition year. During this period, the club will focus on building a sustainable structure, developing strong foundations, and preparing to return with competitive senior teams in NIHL Division 1 South for the 2026–27 season.

This decision has not been made lightly. The Directors, alongside our partners at Oxford Junior Stars, believe this restructuring is in the best long-term interests of ice hockey in Oxford — ensuring a joined-up development model and competitive opportunities for future generations.

All registered coaches and players have now been informed, and any players who had signed contracts with Oxford City Stars have been released into free agency.

The Club would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported Oxford City Stars over the years — players, coaches, volunteers, fans, and sponsors. We are equally grateful to Oxford Junior Stars and England Ice Hockey for their collaboration and continued support as we work toward a stronger, united future.

We kindly ask for the understanding and patience of the ice hockey community as we take this important step toward long-term success and sustainability.

Statement from England Ice Hockey:
“We fully support Oxford’s decision to prioritise long-term player development and sustainability. A clear, aligned pathway from junior to senior hockey is crucial to growing the game in the right way. Oxford’s commitment to restructuring now, in order to return stronger in 2026–27, is a commendable example of putting the future of players and the local game first. England Ice Hockey will continue to work with the club throughout this transition and beyond.”

https://www.oxfordcitystars.com/post/official-club-statement

FUNDRAISER | Turner’s Race for Life

One of our own Volunteers, Darren Turner, is running today in the Oxford for the Race for Life after standing in for his mother who is unable to take part herself this year.

Turner has been a permanent fixture at the Stars for a long time, as part of the off ice team and we wish him all the best today as he takes on this challenge.

Please support Turner by donating to Cancer Research UK via the donation link below.

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/darrens-race-for-life-102270?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLN8lpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHp-jQXSi8iXvF_ZodceyWJbwneZRnEtJ6rQx3HTkodIJML8EG04xP-nihdr3_aem_TG9hOtaDyC5dKojtLZYIpQ

Darren's Race for Life Cancer is happening right now, which is why I'm taking part in a Race for Life 5k to raise money and save lives. 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every single pound you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work, so please sponsor me now.