Club History

Oxford Royals was formerly known as Middletown Ladies and was formed in 1981 by a group of ‘Ladies’. The Club wore royal blue skirts, royal blue t-shirts and white socks and trained in various venues including Cowley, Blackbird Leys and Barton. These venues were central (i.e. Middle) to the homes of the’ ladies’ of the Club hence the name Middletown Ladies. Their motto was ‘Give 100%’, ‘Enjoy It’ and ‘Winning’s a bonus!’.

After a few years the main members drifted away leaving just one original member Gill Cohead. Gill remained with the Club until the year 2000 and chaired the Club for most of that time. She was a very valued member of the Club and stood as Chair on the Oxfordshire League for many years.

It was felt the name Middletown Ladies was no longer relevant to the club and quite a mouthful for the umpires and it was therefore put to the Club AGM to change the name. The club was renamed ‘Oxford Royals’ in approximately 1983/84. However official records of the Clubs history was lost in later years and it is therefore only an approximate date. The kit remained the same except for the t-shirt which became white instead of royal blue and in 2009 became a navy dresses and royal blue printed hoodies.

In 2012 Royals joined forces with another local club, Unique. In keeping with part of their uniforms, new dresses were designed with purple as part of the colour scheme and the introduction of a bright blue.

Middletown Ladies began as a club encouraging women to go along and enjoy exercise whilst being able to socialise with their friends. Oxford Royals has continued with this tradition as a fun loving and sociable club. We feel the Club has maintained this friendly, sociable attitude towards exercise over the years and has managed to maintain this unique atmosphere. Players of all ages and abilities have been welcomed. Our longest serving member Janet Durham celebrated her silver anniversary with the Club in 2008.