OXFORDSHIRE One-day graded Squash Tournament to be hosted by Raquets Fitness Centre, Thame, on Saturday, June 2, 2018. The tournament will include:
Men’s Open
Women’s Open
B grade
C grade
D and E grade
All standards including juniors are welcome!
Entries close May 28, 2018
Early Bird rates for Entries before May 2, 2018
£15 entry including lunch buffet
https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/OXFORDSHIRE-One-Day-Graded-Squash-Tournament
A week after the Thame Tidy Day, Thame Cricket Club is going to be cleaning up at Church Meadow this coming weekend, inside and outside the clubhouse (in its last year!).
Andy Jinman, for Thame Cricket Club, explained: “This year, our event is under the banner of the “NatWest CricketForce”, NatWest being a sponsor of cricket still. That’s why we couldn’t
coincide with the TTD – probably a good job too, given the weather !!
“If we can get everything done on Saturday, we won’t need to come back on Sunday. All helpers will be very welcome.” Bags will be provided.
Contact, or find out more about, Thame Town Cricket Club and its exciting new project, HERE
THAME Swimming Club has been so successful that it has reached the limit of what it can do to take its talented young swimmers further forward into the world of serious competition.
The facilities at Thame Leisure Centre and particularly the time slots available these days as so many groups, Lord Williams’s School and individuals are using the pool, that there are insufficient hours in the day for the club’s most talented swimmers to get the training in needed for them to progress.
It is these concerns that led Thame Swimming Club’s Chair, Phil Evans, to attend Tuesday’s meeting of Thame Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Committee. He asked the town council to work with the club, and other stakeholders, to develop a ‘vision for aquatics’ when/if both the Neighbourhood Plan and the council’s Sports Strategy are revised.
Phil told Councillors: “We are losing good swimmers out of the sport once lessons have finished because of a lack of local facilities.” As well as the pool only having five lanes and the limit of only two-hour sessions at a time, the Spectator area is limited for galas etc and access not good for wheelchair users, he added.
Thame Swimming Club has gone from strength to strength since it began in 2009, with a membership now of 130, from a catchment area including Long Crendon, Haddenham, Chinnor and Wheatley, and a waiting list. It has competed successfully at both regional and national level, with children starting at aged 7 years, and has an annual turnover of £120,000. In order to get pool time and training in bigger pools, the club has to utilise other pools in the area but these two have limited time slots available.
Phil concluded: “We are now at the point where coaching has achieved as much as it can. We can go no further. Swimmers will just leave; one has already gone to High Wycombe.”
Whilst the town council made no promises to the Swimming Club, Cllr Anne Midwinter suggested that they go to South Oxfordsire District Council in the first instance because it has responsibility for the pool, and tell them what the club needs.
THE Lord Williams’s School Fun Run is back for a second year – bigger and bolder than before! A 5k run with obstacles and colour…loads of fun and a great way to support the school!
When? Saturday, April 28, 2018 – 1pm start. Where? Lord Williams’s Upper School.
THE ‘Beast from the East’ tried it’s best to disrupt our event, but it wasn’t enough to put the members of Racquets Fitness Centre off making their way down to their squash club to watch a world class squash exhibition match.
On Friday, March 2, two full time squash professionals spent the afternoon at Racquet’s demonstrating their talents against the members, offering up their time to play against the club players. The club welcomed World Number 63, George Parker from Leicestershire and local pro Alex Noakes, who has reached a personal best world ranking of 127.
The first part of the afternoon proved particularly popular with the young junior players at Racquets, including siblings Myles, Alex and Silas Glover who took the opportunity to play against both professionals. The youngsters tried their best to trick the pros with their sly boasts and delicate drop shots to the front of the court, some of which were a success!
Myles, 8, commented: “It was amazing! It was hard work because they are so accurate with the ball. I’m definitely going to try to be as fit as them one day!”
Greer Glover, mum of Myles, Alex and Silas, said: ‘’All three were on a high after playing George and Alex. They had a fantastic time on court and managed to win a few points, which was lovely to see. They have come away so inspired. It’s great for children to realise that professional sports people are regular people who have worked unbelievably hard for a long time and have learned how not to give up.”
George and Alex, 24 games later, had earnt themselves a short tea break to re-energise before the big exhibition match. Snow-covered boots filled the viewing gallery in anticipation of their owners watching the two pro’s battle it out on court, demonstrating what world class squash talent looks like in real life! The event was livestreamed via the Racquet’s facebook page allowing members who were unable to conquer the icy roads to watch from home, and for some of our other members to keep the bar warm and watch via the bar television.
As predicted, the game was high intensity and high energy from the very start. Alex Noakes, who had flown in from Barcelona, showed off his athleticism moving quickly around the court, chasing down every ball and looking for any opportunity to attack and put George Parker, based in Leicestershire, under pressure. This was working well for the Thame-born player and caused Parker to play a number of errors at the front of the court. Forcing errors and keeping the ball tight created a 2-0 lead for Noakes, giving him a confident lead.
The third game saw a complete change in tactic from the world number 63, taking the ball much earlier and adding exaggerated deception to all of his shots. Being difficult to read and removing his errors saw the Leicestershire player fight back to two games all, rewarding the crowd with a fifth game decider. By this stage Parker definitely had the edge and was sending his opponent the wrong way on many occasions. Fantastic touch on the ball created a number of short winners which eventually lead to a 3-2 victory to George Parker. It was a well fought and entertaining match, both players a pleasure to watch.
Racquets Fitness Centre would like to thank everyone who came down to support the event. Racquets owner, Simon Martin, said: “These two players are worth watching over the next few years. They will soon be seen on the TV in big squash events, especially as George Parker heads into the top 64 of the world. His talent is obvious and is only set to grow. Alex, who is a local Thame lad now training in Barcelona, is also surging up the rankings. We hope that all the juniors who played the pros will be inspired by them.”
The game can be seen on the Racquets Fitness Centre Facebook page
SOURCE: Contributed by Chloe Marshall, Head coach at Racquets Fitness Centre
NOAH James, 10, started playing squash less than a year ago after being introduced to the sport through a school friend. Since then he has been attending group academy training and 1:1 coaching sessions with Oxfordshire Head County Coach, Marshall, at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame.
Noah recently started training with the U11 Oxon county squad and has quickly made his presence well known in the team. His natural eye for the game alongside his gritty determination has awarded Noah with much success during his time playing at Racquets, which has fed his determination to compete in a wider range of competitions.
On Sunday, February 25, Noah took part in a Copper event in Leicester, one of his first tournaments outside of the Oxfordshire region. Throughout the day Noah showed off his strengths and played incredibly well, showing few nerves to his more experienced opponents. After a comfortable first round match, Noah was up against England number 34, Jaidon Mistry from Leicestershire, a tricky player who covered the court well.
Noah was able to convert more winners on the day and took the match 2-1, taking him through to the final. Other parents commented on how well he did to maintain such a positive mind-set during his matches as most players were supported by the home crowd, with Noah being the only entrant from Oxfordshire. In the final Noah was challenged by local Leicester played and England number 32, Harry Parkinson, who had a fiery serve and a solid set of attacking shots. Luckily, reputation didn’t faze Noah with the young Racquets star oozing grace and control on court, hunting every opportunity to attack the ball and create winners.
Noah himself commented: “The tournament was really fun and I really enjoyed playing on the show court.” The squash team at Racquets are all very proud of his recent squash achievements. Well done Noah!
SOURCE: Contributed by Chloe Marshal
FOLLOWING on from the start of redevelopment work at Thame Town Cricket Club recently, comes news of a second, brand new sports ground, the culmination of a long-held dream of Thame cricket Instructor and ex-first class, Indian cricketer, Manoj Parmar, which will soon be opening in Thame, following the recent granting of planning permission for the facility, MP Cricket Academy sports field.
Providing a total 12 Acres of land for cricket and sports, the new sports ground will be officially opened on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in the Afternoon.
Manoj Parmar is a ex first class cricketer in India and Oxfordshire a member of the MCC and is a qualified ECB level three coach. He told Thame.Net: “I have been passionate about cricket for 34 years and am dedicated to passing on my knowledge and expertise to youngsters of all ages from under 5s to under 19s.”
Manoj’s MP Cricket Academy has planning permission at the Kingsey Road, Thame, site for two cricket pitches, a new pavilion, four cricket nets and parking for 30 cars.
Manoj continued: “The facility will provide cricket for the kids of Thame and all surrounding areas and villages. After academy age of 19, they can join any local cricket club, to help the English heritage game of cricket remain alive. Children will now be able to play cricket on Saturday and Sunday. Now junior cricket teams can visit the academy in Thame to play matches and learn from all different parts of the UK and the rest of the world.”
MP cricket academy’s detailed timetable for all age groups will be published soon on www.mpsportscricketacademy.co.uk
Manoj concluded: “I would like to pass on a special ‘Thank you’ to Thame Town Council, SODC and all councillors, Joe Middleton and planner, Jake Collinge, for making this all possible. And, we have just received a letter of congratulations from our MP John Howell.”
With these two fabulous cricket institutions going from strength to strength, perhaps a cricketing hero or two of the future will be nurtured here in Thame.
RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame, will be celebrating International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 8 by offering FREE female squash sessions for those women and girls to have a go at the game of squash.
Girls Squash Session 5pm-6pm, and Ladies Squash Session 7pm-8pm. To book a place, email info@racquets-fitness-centre.com or call 01844 261754.
www.racquets-fitness-centre.com
THAME Bowls Club and Thame Tennis Club, which together are Thame Sport Club, are celebrating after learning that South Oxfordshire District Council has awarded Thame Sports Club a grant of £250,000 which will help to provide a new building for the whole community to use.
Thame Sports Club’s clubhouse doubles up as a community building where many other groups meet to take part in a variety of activities including whist, art, wine appreciation and toddler groups.
The South Oxfordshire District Council Capital grant will make up over 45 per cent of the estimated total project cost of £554,000. The sports club has now raised around 70 per cent of the total cost and the sizeable funding from the council will make it much easier for the club to attract the final 30 per cent.
The grant was agreed by the capital grants panel and has now been given the final stamp of approval by South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for community services, Cllr Lynn Lloyd.
Cllr Lloyd said: “I am absolutely delighted that we were able to make such a substantial contribution towards the rebuilding of the clubhouse, which has been a part of Thame for almost a century.
“However, all those years of use have taken their toll and a full rebuild will make it a wonderful community hub for generations to come.
“I hope that our contribution will encourage other funding organisations and local residents to support them. I also hope the new building means that people in Thame will continue to have great place to meet for decades.”
The original part of the clubhouse was built in the 1920’s and is in poor condition, especially the roof and much of the woodwork. Also, because it has little insulation it is expensive to heat during the winter months.
The club has, in their own words, “…an ambitious project to demolish it and to replace it with a modern pavilion”.
The new designs could mean that the clubhouse could accommodate indoor bowling which means the Bowls Club could join the local winter leagues, increasing participation numbers during winter months.
The rebuild committee is aiming to start building in October this year with completion by the end of March next year.
To see the sports club’s plans on the Thame Sports Club website HERE
SOURCE: Press release
DURING the sixth Thame Swimathon, that took place at Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 25, an incredible 2,640 lengths were covered by the teams that took part – that’s 66 kilometers – almost 41 miles! And so far they have raised over £4,000.
The sponsors of the Swimathon, organised by Thame Rotary, were Thame Leisure Centre, Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust, Aston Hearing, and Ignite Sport. Their contributions covered most of the costs, so that more money could be directed towards Thame Rotary’s chosen charity, SeeSaw. Volunteer support was given by Thame Lions, Thame Inner Wheel, Princes Risborough Rotary, Wheatley Park School Interact Club as well as family members and friends of Thame Rotarians.
Tom Wyse, the Mayor of Thame, awarded medals to the swimmers in recognition of their fundraising and physical efforts. Tom said afterwards: “I really enjoyed visiting the Swimathon on Sunday. It was a great event to raise money for the charities. I wish I had the energy that all those swimmers possessed!”
Jo Sackett, of Barley Hill School PTFA, who recruited four teams of pupils, said: “It is such a pleasure to organise teams to take part in this wonderful event. Everyone is so enthusiastic; we raised an amazing amount of money and the children love every minute of it. We are very proud of all of them and can’t wait for next year!”
Thame Swimming Club participated with 10 teams. Will Hard, Thame Swimming Club’s Communications Manager, added: “Our swimmers had great fun today at the Rotary Club of Thame Swimathon, whilst raising money for a worthwhile charity. Thank you to the Rotary Club for running such a well organised event. See you next year!”
Pete Quartly participated with his family for the first time. He said: “This was a fantastic event; run very slickly, and massively enjoyed by the family. We will be there next year.”
Marius Ciortan helped to organise and promote the Thame Swimathon. He said: “Most of the teams have taken the option to allocate 50% of the money raised towards their favourite cause, and 50% towards Thame Rotary’s main local charity, SeeSaw. John Singer, President of the Rotary Club of Thame, added: “It’s been another highly successful fundraising Thame Swimathon. Everyone involved on Sunday seemed to be having a great time with plenty of enthusiastic support from family and friends – a really great advert for the communities of Thame and its neighbouring villages.”
The public has until March 5, to support the teams with their online fundraising. The links to the My Donate page can be found via www.thame.rotary1090.org
More photos taken at Thame Swimathon can be found on www.facebook.com/thamerotary