Category: Sports News

THE celebrations of Thame Tennis Club last Sunday, finished just in time, before a huge storm dramatically lit up the skies of Thame.
Ironically, the club was celebrating the inaugeration of its long-awaited, and in the planning stage, controversial flood lighting.
Unfortunately, because the club is not allowed to turn on the lights after 7pm on a Sunday, the full effect could not be enjoyed on the night, but that didn’t stop members, prospective members, the Mayor or Thame, town councillors and SODC Leader, David Green (who cut the tape to the two, new all-weather courts)from enjoying a pig roast and buffet and the benefits of the club bar.
Club Chairman, Aiden Coles, thanked ex-Thame councillors, Mary Stiles and Mike Mesurier particularly for their support and encouragemebt in the early days of planning the new facilities and told the assembled crowd: “After so many years of waiting, we now have the membership and the enthusiasm to take the club foreward.”
The evening’s fun included two gripping exhibition doubles matches on the new courts featuring well-known international players Martin Lee and James Davidson and Oxfordshire?s Jonathan Maskens amongst others.
Martin and James have both played at Wimbledon, have both been ranked in the top 15 in the UK and Martin has partnered Tim Henman in the Davis Cup.

As well as offering a major increase in capacity for players of all standards, the Club can now offer tennis all year round and into the evening.

Funding for the project was secured from a number of sources including Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Sport England and the LTA in addition to the Clubs own resources, the latter being the result of many years of fund-raising.

PHOTO: Martin Lee, James Davidson and Jonathan Maskens pose before the exhibition matches, with the lucky Thame Tennis Club members who played with them.

Powegen Cup 1st Round.
Chinnor 39pts Reading Abbey 0.

ALTHOUGH looking well organised in their three warm-up matches, this home fixture against newly promoted Reading Abbey in the 1st Round of the Powergen Cup was seen as a major indicator of the Chinnor pre-season preparation.
Chinnor took the field with their strongest available XV. who put together a most workmanlike first half performance. Richard Williams, Chinnor’s replacement for the departed Cathcart, kept them on the front foot with some judicious kicking to the corners to set-up some attacking options. This no-nonsense approach gave Chinnor an early reward when Paul Hennessy, Chinnor’s acting captain (recently returned from his Welsh sojourn), picked up from the base of the scrum to power his way over the line. The
conversion by Williams put Chinnor 7 points ahead after 5 minutes. Further pressure from the home side saw Eric Brown, another returnee, score in the corner and with Williams kicking a penalty Chinnor
were 15 pts to the good with 15 minutes played.

Two tries came from Chad Ward, both scored from clear overlaps after slick handling by the three’s, and one from Andy Millburn following a rolling maul,the latter converted by Williams, all placing Chinnor in a commanding lead at the half-time whistle.

John Brodley had chosen a young, inexperienced bench at this level (with the exception of Alan Cawston) with the intent of giving them all a taste of South West 1. rugby. This positive action would inevitably interupt the pattern of play, but although Chinnor only added a Rewi Tolich try which Williams converted, this was as much to do with the gutsy Abbey second half performance, who upped their commitment considerably, as with the oppressive
playing conditions.
In all a satisfactory outing for this new look Chinnor
XV.
Not bad for a ” village” outfit. !!

CHINNOR Rugby Club will be kicking the season off to a grand start when they host the POWERGEN NATIONAL TROPHY this coming Saturday, September 3.
Chinnor 1st 1XV v Reading Abbey 1st XV – Kick Off 3pm and a Hog roast prior to the game.

Thame United football team travel to Burnham this evening.
Burnham are currently in 14th place having won 1 game and lost 2. Thame lost the same fixture last year 2-0.
Lets hope ‘New Thame’ can improve on this.
For directions to Burnham and for a match report on Saturday’s game against Solihull, visit Thame United’s website

THAME United Football Club’s AGM will be on Thursday, August 25, at 7pm, at Thame town hall. (Members Only)

The team drew 2 All, on Tuesday, at Aylesbury United, against Ashford Town. The scorers were Kitson and Goff.
Gateman, Jake Collinge, reported that among the 112 attendance were many new faces. (The average Thame United home gate used to be between 85-90 apparently)
Bernard Wakelin, Vice Chairman, told ThameNews.net that the team is looking forward to their next match against Solihull Borough on Saturday at Home (Aylesbury)- kick off 3pm.

THAME Leisure Centre, which is managed by SOLL Leisure, has been short-listed to the final three sites in the Fitness Industry Association’s (FIA) Flame Award for the Leisure Centre of the Year.
The other two sites short-listed are Beau Sejour in Guernsey and Hillsborough in Sheffield. Thame was one of 23 leisure centres that were long-listed as part of Stage 1 and now moves on to Stage 2 of the process.

Stuart Henshaw, Managing Director of SOLL Leisure, said: “we are delighted to reach the final stages of this prestigious award. Staff at the centre must be congratulated on their commitment to delivering good customer service complimenting the quality facilities and services available at the site”.
Facilities entering this national award are leisure centres with in-house or contracted management. The focus of this award is on health and fitness operators and takes into consideration the customer/member and staff experience within the centre.

Visit www.soll-leisure.co.uk

FOLLOWING Mark West?s move to Slough, Thame united have announced that Tony Joyce has been appointed as player/manager.
In a statement, the Club said: “As well as being an outstanding player, Tony is very knowledgeable about the game and is respected by his peers. He is approaching his task with enthusiasm and looking forward to the new season.”
The club remains optimistic about its financial future following a traumatic visit from bailiffs recently, following an unpaid VAT Bill.

HADDENHAM Youth Football Club’s under-13 team (current school year 7), is in urgent need of new players for the new season starting in September.
Training is held on Saturdays (September-March) and matches take place on Sundays. Tournaments are held in April. If you would like to join up or find out more about the club, call Mary on 01296 747519.

THE schedule for the Haddenham Horse Show on September 4, is now available.
call Jackie on 01844 290823) for a copy. The organisers are still seeking sponsors for one or two classes and, also, would welcome raffle prizes; call Chris on 01844 292127 if you can help. For more information see the website
.

HOW to get fit and help suffers of Cystic Fybrosis at the same time.
What is ‘Commit to Get Fit’?

Commit to Get Fit is Europe?s most successful fitness campaign, which has already helped over 1.5 million people take control of and start leading healthier, more active and more fulfilling lives.
Now in its 14th year, Commit to Get Fit is sponsored by BUPA. It involves over 500 Fitness Industry Association (FIA) approved gyms across Britain, including some of the best health clubs and leisure centres in the country!

In addition to offering special discounted rates on memberships, the gyms also provide invaluable information on how to improve your health and fitness levels, as well as how to stay healthy and fit.
So there really is no better time to kick-start your healthy lifestyle!

Why me?
Regular physical activity is essential for a healthy, happy life. Any form of regular, sustained activity can help you reduce your risk of premature death by almost 40%. It will also help protect you from diseases and make you feel better!
When you exercise, you release ?feel good? chemicals called endorphins, so it is no wonder that the more active you are, the happier and less stressed you will feel.

Is it safe?
Every gym participating in Commit to Get Fit is approved by the FIA and works towards, and adheres to, a strict Code of Practice. This covers health and safety, staff training and customer care. In an FIA accredited gym, staff do everything they can to make sure you are made to feel welcome and well looked after.
Fitness professionals at FIA gyms are on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) – a comprehensive national list of instructors who all hold recognised qualifications. This ensures you exercise in a safe and supportive environment.

Who supports Commit to Get Fit 2005?
The 2005 campaign is run by the FIA, backed by the NHS and Government and sponsored by BUPA. BUPA is dedicated to providing services to help people improve their health.
This year?s nominated charity is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. To find out more about our friends and partners, please visit: http://www.committogetfit.com/cystic.asp

?Wear Your Trainers? Day?

On July 1 2005, ?Commit to Get Fit? was officially launched by some of the biggest names in Britain ? from stars of screen and stage, to sportsmen and women, as well as MPs. Every single one of them donned their trainers to support the campaign and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

If you would like to organise your own ?Wear your trainers? Day? for your workplace or school, or if you want to support the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (this year?s nominated charity), then please email your name and postal details, including your postcode, to ctgf@fia.org.uk and we will send you more information.

So go on, make your trainers happy!