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Bowls
Thame Bowls Club In 1921 a few enthusiastic bowlers
realised a dream: they formed the Thame Crofters Bowling Club. In
1923 they amalgamated with the Tennis Club, purchasing  land
in Queens Road together. By 1946, the Club had progressed to such
an extent that a Ladies Section was established. Today, their Mixed
Fixtures outnumber the separate mens’ and ladies’ fixtures.
Vic Brooks, the Club’s Sunday Captain explains: “It’s
a very sociable game, which men and women can play to an equal standard.
It is not for the strongest, fastest, quickest or tallest - it’s
just rolling a ball”.
In May 2011, Mike Bushell, the BBC Breakfast Time Sports Presenter,
wanted to try his hand at the sport and came to Thame where he interviewed
Bill Giles, Club Vice-Chairman (and famous ex-weatherman). Everyone
was inspired by the bowling of 21-year-old Natalie Melmore, who
was there to support the Club. As current English Ladies Singles
Champion and Commonwealth Gold Medallist (Delhi 2010), Natalie is
a star of the bowling world.
The Club has three trained coaches and is so keen to encourage young
people that they are currently offering free coaching. “The
sky is the limit for young people coming into the game now”
Bill Giles says. “The best players are young people.”
So leave your bias behind, roll up, have a trial and if you measure
up, bowls is a game for you. Who knows - you might even get some
weather tips! www.thamebowlsclub.co.uk
Cricket
Thame Town Cricket Club is well-established and
enjoys a picturesque setting at Church Meadow. The Club caters for
both the serious and committed adult and youth competitive cricketers
with over 250 members including 180 junior members. It fields three
senior teams  on
Saturdays and one on Sundays, as well as five junior teams in the
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire leagues. The season is from April
to September, with training throughout the year with a permanent
all-year Professional Club Coach and a new 3 lane Cricket Net facility.
The Club is recognised by the England and Wales Cricket Board as
one of four ‘Focus Clubs’ in South Oxfordshire. pr@thametowncricketclub.org.uk
Football
Meadow View Park Just 6 months after its launch,
Meadow View Park has developed into a diverse community facility.
A range of classes are held there - Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Jazzercise,
Jive, Boot Camp sessions, ballet, cheerleading and street dance.
Full details available at www.thamefootball.co.uk
The spacious McCormick Suite has seen a non-stop stream of celebrations,
parties, christenings and wedding receptions as well as seminars
and lectures.
The ASM Stadium and pitch have seen significant action, from the
stadium launch match against Oxford United to the England Ladies
Team playing a friendly International match against Sweden, five
OFA Schools County Cup finals and six other Cup Finals for various
leagues in the area.
Thame United finished their first season at the ASM with a creditable
10th place in the Hellenic Premier Division and came top of the
attendance table. The Reserves won the Div2 East title and were
Runners-Up in the Intermediate County Cup. United will now be running
an U18 Youth team in the Allied Counties League this coming season.
Plans are now in place for a range of activities and events throughout
the summer months with the TFP Soccer Schools, and also for a Football
Academy launch in September.
To enquire about classes or make a booking contact admin@thamefootball.co.uk
or call 01844 214401.
Gymnastics
The Oxford School of Gymnastics trains in Thame
and offers classes for boys and girls from grass roots level to
elite, producing county, regional, national and international champions.
It is the only club in Oxfordshire to offer the spectacular sport
of acrobatic gymnastics, the sport made famous by the group Spelbound
that won 2010 Britain’s Got Talent! For information www.oxfordschoolofgymnastics.com
Hockey
Thame Hockey Club has had an exceptionally successful
season on and off the pitch. The men’s and ladies first teams
both won their leagues as the fledgling club continued its meteoric
rise through the ranks.
In only its fourth year, the family-friendly and sociable club has
added additional men’s and women’s sides who both acquitted
themselves admirably in their inaugural seasons.
The club warmly welcomes all players regardless of ability and provides
an excellent environment in which to learn or polish your hockey
skills. This year saw the junior section thrive once again with
qualified coaches and a huge range of volunteers ensuring everyone
enjoyed themselves.
Practice is Wednesday evenings, 8pm to 10pm, September until March.
Juniors play on a Saturday. Visit www.thamehockey.co.uk for more
information.
Rugby
Chinnor Rugby Football Club Chinnor RFC was established
in 1963 and moved to Thame 25 years ago. A relatively young club
playing at National League Level, now with 1300 members,  it
is an inclusive club and welcomes all level of players for all ages,
4 - 64! There are 5 senior teams and at least 1 team for every age
group from U17 to U7.
One of the biggest and most successful sports clubs in Oxfordshire,
Chinnor RFC is this season’s County Champion at Senior, Veterans,
U17s, U16s, U14s and U11s.
For more information for players and non-players, visit Kingsey
Road. www.chinnor-rfc.com
Running
Joining Running Buddies is great if you are new
to the area, with ready made buddies to show you around this wonderful
town. Several of their members have completed the Wycombe half-marathon
recently and in April 2011 Lydia Heusens and her two brothers raised
nearly £25,000 for Juvenile Diabetes at the London Marathon.
The Buddies are always looking for beginners and you are guaranteed
a warm welcome. And it’s free!
Contact 07766957348 or patsy_runninglegs@hotmail.co.uk
Swimming
Thame Swimming Club was founded in April 2009
and has its home at Thame Leisure Centre. Thame Town Council was
instrumental in helping the Club’s launch, assisting with
 pool
time and other issues.
The club’s focus is on the development of swimmers across
a broad range of training levels and also on keeping the fun factor
high. From an initial 65 members they now have 110, including a
Masters group for adult competitive swimmers.
Their Patron, Oxfordshire local and Team GB Olympic swimmer Simon
Burnett, encourages them with regular messages and drops in to see
them when he can. They have an excellent coaching team and swimmers
can rise through the groups to County & District Squads. If
you’d like to develop your swimming skills, contact www.thameswimmingclub.co.uk
Tennis
Thame Tennis Club offers something for everyone.
If it is competitive tennis you are after, Thame offers a comprehensive
coaching programme for juniors and adults, resulting in successful
teams. If fitness is your interest then new cardio tennis and circuits
cater for the non-playing participant. Club mark accreditation was
acquired in 2010, ensuring a high quality of provision and accessibility.
So the highest standard is always delivered!
Visit www.thametennisclub.org.uk.
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