Rhys Derek Oates (born 4 December 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Mansfield Town.

[5] Oates made his Gainsborough Trinity debut against Telford United the next day[6] then scored a brace in a 2–2 draw against Worcester City.

[7] After making five appearances and scoring twice Oates returned to his parent club despite attempts to extend his loan at Gainsborough Trinity.

[13] After coming on as a substitute for Sam Winnall in the 89th minute against Crewe during his Barnsley debut,[14] Oates signed for Conference Premier team Grimsby Town on a one-month loan on 19 September 2014.

[15] His Grimsby debut came in a Conference Premier match against Kidderminster Harriers where he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Jack Mackreth and fired in from 20 yards on 85 minutes.

[17][18] Oates then signed on loan until 20 December 2014[19] for Conference Premier team Chester and made his debut the same day, coming on as a substitute for Craig Hobson in the 65th minute in a 3–1 loss against Macclesfield Town,[20] but then scored two goals in two consecutive games, firstly against Bristol Rovers[21] then Dartford.

[23] After returning to Barnsley Oates played his first match on 26 December 2014 coming on as a substitute for Kane Hemmings in the 67th minute of a 1–0 loss against Preston North End,[24] he then provided two assists in separate matches, firstly in a 5–1 loss on 14 February 2015[25] against Crawley Town and then against Rochdale in a 5–0 win in the last game of the season.

[50] Oates started for Mansfield in the 2022 EFL League Two play-off final, a 3–0 defeat to Port Vale, however he finished the season with 12 goals.