Oxford face double blow as senior side withdraws

Oxford’s ice hockey community is facing a double blow with the withdrawal of the Oxford City Stars for the 2025-26 season and proposed congestion charges that could cost rink users £5 daily.

The National Ice Hockey League Division 1 South side will take a year’s break from competitive hockey after agreeing to merge with Oxford Junior Stars to create “a clear and connected [development] pathway for aspiring players” from youth to senior hockey.

Mark Gillett, chair of Oxford Junior Stars, said he was “obviously saddened that the Oxford City Stars will not be entering a team [this] season” but encouraged supporters to get behind the Oxford Rising Stars, who will compete in the National Ice Hockey League Division 2 South.

Gillett called the Rising Stars “key in the whole pathway and resurrection of the Oxford City Stars team.”

The timing of the move to pull the senior team means it would be almost impossible to implement the new structure before the upcoming season, according to officials at the club.

“This decision [to withdraw from the league] has not been made lightly,” Oxford City Stars said in a statement.

The statement said restructuring will ensure the long-term sustainability of ice hockey in Oxford.

England Ice Hockey backed the move, calling Oxford’s commitment “a commendable example of putting the future of players and the local game first.”

All contracted players have since been released into free agency.

The club also confirmed it is hoping to work with Oxfordshire County Council to find solutions to proposed congestion charges that would cost ice rink users £5 daily from autumn 2025.

The congestion charge is being discussed as a temporary measure to reduce traffic around Oxford during a major road closure.

Oxfordshire County Council has asked for responses to its proposals to be submitted by 3 August 2025.