Welcome to MP Sports Cricket Academy in Thame, Oxfordshire

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Join us for Summer Cricket, Holidays courses, and more for all ages 5+ to adults! Over 40 Years of PASSION & DEDICATION in Professional cricket coaching by ECB level 3 coach Manoj Parmar. Enjoy, Learn & Achieve in High quality cricket coaching.
News Ticker
Join us for Summer Cricket, Holidays courses, and more for all ages 5+ to adults! Over 40 Years of PASSION & DEDICATION in Professional cricket coaching by ECB level 3 coach Manoj Parmar. Enjoy, Learn & Achieve in High quality cricket coaching.
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News Ticker
Join us for Summer Cricket, Holidays courses, and more for all ages 5+ to adults! Over 40 Years of PASSION & DEDICATION in Professional cricket coaching by ECB level 3 coach Manoj Parmar. Enjoy, Learn & Achieve in High quality cricket coaching.
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About us

Welcome to
MP Sports Cricket Academy

MP Cricket Academy established in 2009, is a friendly and welcoming cricket academy for all ages and genders. We provide cricket coaching, holiday cricket courses, one2one sessions, free events, and more. Our founder and Director, Manoj Parmar is an ex-first class cricketer from Saurashtra in India.  Mr Parmar’s main aim is to inspire future generations of young cricketers to achieve their maximum potential and to help children become more active.  For the past 40 years, he has worked tireless to offer a high-quality coaching and competition programme in and around Thame.  He is determined to introduce children to the world of sport and offers a vast array of sporting opportunities at the ground.

MP Sports Cricket Academy offers a comprehensive list of activities throughout the year including but not limited to; indoor cricket matches during the winter; soft and hard ball practice; international courses; and diving catch practice at the local pool. The ground currently boasts two full sized cricket grounds and has 6 brand new grass nets. Since its creation in 2009, the club has continued to grow, supporting 27 state schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and catering for children as young as five, up to adults. Clubs from across the county attend tournaments throughout the year and cricket teams/companies rent the ground for private matches and corporate events.
You can become a member of the academy to receive discounts on the majority of our events and all of our courses. With further discounts for net hire and One 2 One coaching.

MP Academy member benefits:
Free Professional for cricket equipment at MP sports shop
Discounts from all summer cricket courses
Discounts from Easter cricket courses
Discounts from Lords cricket tour
Discounts from One 2 One and Net Hire

All coaching will be led by ECB level 2 and 3 coaches. Our head coach, Manoj Parmar, played 11 years of First class cricket and has over 40 years of coaching & playing experience and is a Member of MCC and ECB Coaches Association.

We have the biggest Sports Showroom in all of Oxfordshire and offer a wide range of sports goods, as well as cricket we cater for swimming, rugby, hockey, football, running, tennis, gym, supplements, fitness equipment, netball, padel ball, racket ball, badminton, baseball, track & field, sports gifts, darts, recovery accessories & equipment, yoga and much more. We also stock  all sports clothing including but not limited to tracksuits, shorts, base layers, sports bras, skorts, skirts, jackets, sunglasses, bags and backpacks.

Terms and conditions apply, for more information please visit our terms and conditions page.

Please note Membership does not GUARANTEE any Member a place on any Coaching Lessons, Courses or Events and Special Activities but merely gives PRIORITY and is always subject to general availability where Events and Special Activities are concerned. Members are encouraged wherever possible to still book early”.

Coaching Venue: MP Cricket Academy Sports Ground, New Barn, Kingsey Rd, Thame, OX9 3JL, United Kingdom

2026

This year is another special milestone for MP Cricket Academy. We are proud to be celebrating our 9th anniversary since obtaining our ground, and it also marks Manoj’s 41st year of professional cricket coaching. With these achievements in mind, we are continuing the same successful initiatives that have made such a positive impact on our community.

Our partnership with MP Sports Development Trust remains at the heart of this mission. Through this partnership, children aged 5–9 are able to play for free with us at Lord Williams Lower School Indoor Sports Hall during our winter indoor cricket programme. This initiative has been an outstanding success, with a huge number of children eager to join and take part.

Thanks to the continued support of our members and community, we are pleased to confirm that this opportunity will once again extend into the main season.

  • All players aged 5–9 can become members and play for free.

  • Unfortunately, players aged 10–15 and adult players will still be required to pay to participate.

Why we do this

As many of you know, our founder Manoj Parmar grew up in India and faced significant challenges throughout his life. These experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to ensuring that children have access to sport, regardless of background or financial circumstance.

With the rising cost of living in the UK, playing sport—particularly cricket—has become increasingly expensive. Too many children miss out simply because they cannot afford the costs involved. This is why we continue to provide free access for younger players, as well as free equipment whenever possible, ensuring that any child who wants to play cricket has the opportunity to do so.

Our goal is simple: to get more children active, engaged in sport, and supported in building healthier, more confident lifestyles.

Older players and fees

While older players will still need to pay, we are pleased to confirm that fees will not increase this year. Training for older age groups requires more time, structure, and individual development, and our focus remains on refining skills and supporting long-term progression. We appreciate your understanding and continued support in this direction.

Training Programme

Wednesday

  • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Ages 14+ to Adult training

Friday

  • 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm: U9s training (School Years 1–4)

  • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Ages 10–14 training (School Years 5–8)

All holiday courses will continue to be chargeable for all participants.

Ground hire and facilities

The ground remains available for priority hire by members, including discounted rates for member bookings. Full details can be found on our Ground Hire page.

In addition, the ground is available for weddings, birthdays, and other events. Set against the stunning Chiltern Hills, the venue offers breathtaking views of both sunrise and sunset, making it a truly special location.

During the summer months, children will also have increased opportunities to take part in multiple outdoor sports, helping to further develop their athletic ability and confidence.

Our commitment

Our priority is, and always will be, coaching for all children. We are committed to providing high-quality training, facilities, opportunities, and knowledge to anyone who wants to learn—regardless of ability, age, or mindset.

All of our time, effort, and resources are reinvested into maintaining and improving the ground and creating the best possible environment for the children.

Membership registration

Due to our new website, the registration process remains online. To become a member:

  1. Register online and submit the registration fee.

  2. Once payment is confirmed, you will receive an approval email.

  3. You will then gain access to the website, including the forum, gallery, and the ability to upload photos.

Please note that all website content is moderated, and any inappropriate, rude, or unnecessary material will be removed.

When registering, please ensure you register using the details of the individual becoming a member. If you have multiple children joining, each child must have their own login, allowing us to accurately manage membership numbers and ensure equal opportunities for everyone.

OurStory

At MP Sports Cricket Academy, we are proud of our history and feel grateful to all of those people who have helped us as we have grown and developed.
The path to establishing MP Sports Cricket Academy began when Manoj Parmar – the founder of MP Sports – came to England to play club cricket. Manoj had a successful playing career in First Class Cricket in India, playing for Saurashtra as a wicketkeeper for his whole career.
Having played for a few club teams in the UK, it was in rural Oxfordshire that Manoj found success and became a prominent figure in the community. Whilst Manoj’s key performances as a Batsman caught the headlines, it was in his role coaching children cricket that Manoj truly started to change lives in the local community.
 
Manoj’s inspirational coaching methods were extremely successful, and they contributed to astonishing growth in the youth section for the local Cricket Club. Over 200 local children enrolled with the club:  teams could be fielded from the U9s all the way up to the U19s. The popularity of cricket in the local community was extraordinary and surpassed all expectations.   
 
Following this success as a cricket coach, Manoj was asked to start his own Academy and eventually plot a separate course from the Local Club. Hence, MP Sports Crciket Academy was born and established, with Towersey selected as a base from which the cricket club could grow.
With the Academy established, Manoj was now out on his own and had to work harder than ever before to reach as many children as possible. Despite the challenges of being independent, the Academy grew quickly and over the ensuing years, Manoj was able to help children improve their cricket skills and become more rounded individuals in the process.
The ground at Towersey itself continued to improve: cricket nets and new pitches were installed on the site which was helpful in giving children good facilities where they could learn the basics of the game.  
 
The Academy then moved location to Long Crendon. It was at this point that it became clear that to develop further, the Academy would need to have own its own cricket ground. This would give us more security and help us develop the standard of practice facilities normally reserved for County grounds and  Private Schools.
After a few years at the Long Crendon Recreational Ground, an opportunity to buy land on the outskirts of Thame arose. With the support of Friends; Family; and Students, the land was purchased, and MP Academy finally had a ground it could call home.
The process of transforming the land from farm to cricket square was long and painstaking. The field was ploughed and grass seed planted: eventually hours of work came to fruition, and the ground was ready for use.
 
The story of MP Sports so far has been eventful and underpinned by the hard work of Manoj and Hema and their family. Since 2018, we have had a wonderful ground located on Kingsey Road and the standard of facilities on offer is excellent. We are fortunate enough to have three cricket squares on the ground, with 2 main grounds and one square for grass nets and 2 artificial nets.
The Academy continues to go from strength to strength even after many years of operation. We are still as confident as ever of the power of cricket to improve children’s lives and give children a sense of belonging and achievement. We continue to offer winter and summer cricket in addition to Summer Holiday Courses and Primary School visits.

OurLocation

General FAQs

Where is the ground?

The MP Sports Cricket Academy ground can be found at New Barn, Kingsey Rd, Thame OX9 3JL. 

By car from Kingsey Road, the entrance is across the road from the allotments.

On foot you can also use the Kingsey Road entrance.  There is clear signage to show the way.

MP Sports Cricket Academy was found and managed by Mr Manoj Parmar.  Mr Parmar’s aim is to inspire future generations of young cricketers to develop a love and enjoyment of the sport and to improve children’s fitness and mental health.

Mr Parmar is an ECB level three coach, an MCC member and a first class ex cricketer from India.  For the last 35 years he has worked hard to establish the academy and help children reach their full potential.

The ground facilities include:

  • 2 full cricket pitches
  • 6 grass nets
  • 2 artificial nets
  • Huge marquee
  • Water fountain
  • Ample off-street parking
  • Toilets

We do not offer trials for new students.  You can come and play cricket irrespective of your abilities or experience.

We have coaching for all ages from the ages of 5 upwards, including adults but we have teams for children:

Under 15

Under 13

Under 11

Under 9

also a Sunday Adult friendly team. 

Yes. You can book a session for however many days you require depedning on the course. One2Ones are on a individual basis. 

We do not offer gym facilities yet, but we are hoping to provide a gym in the future. For the time being there is a gym not far from the sport’s ground.  For more information please visit https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/south-oxfordshire/thame-leisure-centre for the Thame Leisure Centre Faciliites.

No, all personal kit can be purchased from MP Sports shop in Station Yard in Thame.

Unfortunately, there is no café on site yet, but the ground isn’t far from Thame town centre which boasts a large selection of tea, coffee shops and restaurants.

Parents are welcome to wait for their children or can leave them and come back.

Yes, all academy members must wear academy kit which can be purchased from the MP Sports shop, Station Yard in Thame.

Uniform can be purchased at MP Sports shop, Station Yard, Thame.

Please wear appropriate footwear for your cricket course.  No sandals or high heels.  Any sports shoes will be fine.

We have many courses on offer throughout the year and a packed schedule of events. Please see the ‘courses’ section of our website

An annual subscription and training fees for a child is £95

An annual subscription and training fees for an adult is £95

Members receive discounts on most of our events and get a 10% discount off all courses.

There is a further discount on net hire and one to one coaching.

Yes. We can offer one to one training. Please contact us for more information.

We provide international residential courses for children.  This includes children from England visiting India and children from across the world visiting us.  For more information on these courses please visit the ‘courses’ tab on the cricket academy website.

We can offer birthday parties both for children and adults.  Please contact us for more information.

We do offer both corporate events and weddings.  Please contact us for more information.

Manoj Parmar’s ‘Sports in the Street’ initiative began in 2016 and has since become an annual event.  Held in Thame High Street, visiting clubs hold live demonstrations and activities for people to try, providing them with all the information needed to join a new sports club.  Participating children receive free gifts and certificates, encouraging their interest in playing sports.

For information or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on the number/email below. Or feel free to visit the shop.

Tel: 01844212226

Email: mpsportsacademy@hotmail.co.uk

MP Cricket Academy and MP Sports Shop
C-4 Station Road
Thame
Oxon
OX9 3UH

Residential Course FAQs

During the summer we will be running courses for international students from Europe and around the world.  Information on courses and dates can be found under the ‘courses’ tab on the MP Sports Academy Website.  For further information please do contact us or please see the FAQs below.

Who will be running the courses?

Mr Manoj Parmar will be running the courses.  Mr Parmar is an ECB level three coach, an MCC member and a first-class ex cricketer from India.  For the last 35 years he has worked hard to establish the MP Cricket Academy and help children reach their full potential.

Courses will be held at the MP Cricket Academy Ground:

MP Cricket Academy Sports Ground

Kingsey Road
Thame
Oxon
OX9 3JL

There will also be opportunities for sightseeing at various locations across the UK.

Residential courses are available for children aged 11 and over.

We ask that all children under the age of 16 are accompanied by a parent or guardian. MP Sports Cricket Academy will organise sightseeing tours of the local area including, Oxford, London and Bicester Village.

We offer residential courses for individuals as well as teams or whole academies.  All courses are tailor made to your individual requirements.

We do not provide personal cricket kit but all coaching equipment, balls, stumps etc, will be provided.

We do not offer gym facilities yet, but we are hoping to provide a gym in the future. For the time being there is a gym not far from the sport’s ground.  For more information please visit the Invictus Gym Website  https://www.invictusfitnesscentre.co.uk/ or https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/south-oxfordshire/thame-leisure-centrefor the Thame Leisure Centre.

We can offer lunches and teas to residential students.  All should be pre-booked.

We do not provide flights, but we do provide transport for those attending the residential course.

Yes, we provide self-catering cottages or a hotel if required.

You will need a VISA for your residential course. 

Yes. We can provide an invitation letter to you or your family which can then be used to obtain your VISA.

No. We can provide you with verifying documents as proof of your stay.

All students on the residential course will receive a MP Sports Cricket Academy training top.

MP Academy Staff

  • Head Coach: Manoj Parmar – ECB Level 3
  • Assistant Coaches: Manan Parmar, Harsh Parmar – ECB level 2
  • Club Secretary: Hema Parmar – Email: mpsportsacadey@hotmail.co.uk – Mobile: 01844 212226 
  • Oxfordshire Child Welfare Officer: Stuart Murphy – Email: oxfordshirecricketwelfare@gmail.com
  • Ground Care Team: Manan Parmar, Paul Charry, David Reed, Harsh Parmar
  • Admin Team: Manan Parmar (Head), Joe Barnett, Manoj Parmar
  • Child Welfare Officer: Oliver Borgnis – Email: mpsportsacademy@hotmail.co.uk – Mobile: 07887870151
  • U7 Friendly Match Manager: Manoj Parmar – Mobile: 07796 987653
  • U9 Aylesbury League Managers: Manan Parmar, and Harsh Parmar – Mobile: 01844 212226
  • U11 Aylesbury League Manager: Manan Parmar, and Harsh Parmar – Mobile: 01844 212226
  • U11 OCB League Managers: Manan Parmar,  Harsh Parmar, and Manoj Parmar – Mobile: 01844 212226
  • U11 Oxford Development League Manager: Manoj Parmar – Mobile: 07796 987653
  • U13 Aylesbury League Manager: Manoj Parmar and Harsh Parmar – Mobile: 07796987653
  • U13 OCB  League Manager: Manoj Parmar – Mobile: 07796 987653
  • U15  OCB League and Aylesbury League Manager: Manoj Parmar – Mobile: 07796 987653

What MP Academy plans to do in the future

The Ground
The MP Cricket Academy Sports ground is located at New Barn Farm, Kingsey Road, across the road from the Kingsey road allotments, Thame, OX9 3JL. At the Academy there is a lot of excitement as the new site allowed us to be able to provide a lot more cricket for the young people of Thame and the surrounding area. This major step forward for us gaves an increase in the number of fixtures, thanks to the evening and weekend availability. With the health of young people being one of the biggest concerns over the past few years, this is a great situation for the community to be in as there are now so many more opportunities to be outside being active through sport. Coaching sessions can now be delivered at an even better standard thanks to the planned grass nets because they give the most realistic match conditions for both batsmen and bowlers. MP Cricket Academy has a clear vision for the ground and its provision of a permanent home for its activities, further embedding itself in the local area.
 

We aim to create better playing facilities for all children of all ages and abilities. Every year we are working on a new project to help improve the ground, last year we added another new building to the ground. Head coach Manoj Parmar said: “The most important part of this is for youth to get the chance to play every day, evenings and weekends. It’s a great opportunity and great news for the town.” Mr Parmar added: “I would like to pay special thanks to Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Joe Middleton, Andy Brich and planner Jake Collinge for making all of this possible.”

Everything is in place for the 12-acre site on Kingsey Road and facilities will include two cricket pitches, six grass nets, a pavilion and car park, along with access from Towersey Road

For even faster improvement, we are waiting for an investor to help us out so that we can continue to provide the best facilities possible for the children. If you would like to learn more about invest opportunities with us, please email us at: mpsportsacademy@hotmail.co.uk 

New 1st team
We are also introducing a brand new 1st team in which we will be playing friendly matches for anyone interested to join and enjoy.
For more information please email us at mpsportsacademy@hotmail.co.uk
New Under 15
This year we hope to have more matches for the boys, including a brand new U15 team this year. We are planning to give the U15 boys friendly matches on non school days, wherein they can play longer matches of 30-35 overs. This is so that they can bat for longer, field for longer and bowl for longer, preparing them to play adult cricket.
Regardless of which club the children play for they can join in the U15 squad as they are only playing friendly matches this year. Which will allow the kids to play more matches and help improve their cricket.
We will be fixing games against various opponents including Private schools, Clubs and Academy’s. These matches will generally be on weekends because most grounds are unavailable for kids to play on weekends but ours is specifically designed for our boys to use.
This new U15 team will also be of great benefit to the local adult cricket clubs as we will be able to provide talented young cricketers to add to their teams. Furthermore if the U15 kids play against other U15 kids it will help boost their confidence before going on to play against adults which is a different level of cricket. 
This year there is potential for teams from abroad coming to play against our boys, therefore this new U15 team will have a fantastic opportunity to play some international cricket as well.