Building Bodies, Building Character, Building Community
Part 1 established Bungay's foundation—the safety, education, and community spirit that allows families to trust. Now we explore how that foundation supports something vital: movement, challenge, and physical connection.
In Bungay, sport isn't just about winning trophies (though the town has its share). It's about the U7 football team where every child gets equal playing time, the Boxing Day "Groggy Doggy" run where fancy dress matters more than finish times, and the canoe club where three generations paddle the Waveney together. This is how communities build resilient children and connected adults—through shared challenge, collective celebration, and the simple joy of being active together.
Football: The Beautiful Game, The Community Game
Bungay Town Football Club: A Century of Community Sport
- Founded: 1925; nearly a century-old club at the heart of Bungay's sporting life.
- Base: Maltings Meadow Sports Ground, Pirnhow Street, Ditchingham, NR35 2RT (just outside Bungay; full-size, well-kept grass pitches, pavilion, disabled parking and facilities).
- Social: Active on Twitter/X and Facebook for fixtures, updates, results, and news.
Teams & Age Groups
Men's Football:
- Three Saturday teams (including First Team in Anglian Combination Division 1).
- U23s (Lowestoft & District League).
- Two Sunday teams (Norwich Sunday League).
- Veterans' team (Norfolk and Suffolk Veteran's League).
Women's & Girls' Football:
- Ladies Team (Norfolk Women's League; recent FA Cup and county cup appearances with strong results).
- Girls' Under 12 and Under 13 teams play in the Norfolk Women's & Girls' League.
Youth & Junior Football:
- Boys: U7, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U18 (Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League; developmental teams for youngest).
- Girls: U12, U13 (Norfolk Women's & Girls' League).
- U18s team: Thurlow Nunn Youth Floodlit League East Division—high quality matches and progression.
Mini Soccer:
- Training and matches for children as young as 4; open to all abilities with emphasis on skill and enjoyment.
Training & Facilities
Main Venue: Maltings Meadow Sports Ground
- Several grass pitches (full size + mini pitches), training/floodlight areas.
- Modern clubhouse with bar, changing rooms, kitchen, meeting/function space.
- Disabled parking and accessible facilities; family/child-friendly viewing.
Training Times:
- Vary by age group and team—sessions run evenings (Monday to Friday), with matches Saturdays and Sundays.
- U7—U16s: Weekly team training + matches.
- Ladies, Men's, U18/U23: Team-specific evening practices; coaching by qualified FA coaches.
Matches and Competition:
- Sat/Sun league fixtures; cup competitions, friendlies, annual awards and club nights.
- Under 18s (Thurlow Nunn Youth League) and U23s for advanced youth development.
- Regularly hosts inter-club friendlies, community tournaments, and charity events.
Ethos & Community
Inclusive club, accepting players of all backgrounds, abilities, genders. Big focus on developing juniors: progression from mini soccer to competitive youth, with clear pathways to adult/senior teams. Strong ties to local schools and grassroots partnerships, making football accessible, safe, and fun from the earliest ages. Club volunteers, coaches, and welfare officers ensure safeguarding and support for children and families.
Cricket: Summer Traditions, Year-Round Community
Bungay Cricket Club – A Club for All
- Location: Maltings Pavilion, Pirnhow Street, Ditchingham, Bungay NR35 2SA (same sports complex as football—easy access, parking, family-friendly grounds).
- Social: Active on Twitter/X @BungayCC for news, match updates, results, and club events.
Teams and Participation
Adult Teams:
- Two Saturday men's teams (Norfolk Cricket Alliance and Norfolk Cricket League).
- Sunday team (Mid Norfolk Sunday League).
- Women's side competing in softball & friendly matches, took "Team of the Year" honours last season for growth and success.
- Regular midweek T20 and friendly matches for developing and social players.
Junior Cricket:
- U11, U13, and U15 teams playing in South Norfolk Community League and Norfolk Alliance Junior Leagues.
- Weekly All Stars and Dynamos cricket (ECB introductory, ages 5—11, fun and skills-focused).
Inclusivity:
- "Cricket For All" ethos—open to men, women, boys, and girls regardless of experience or ability; newcomer-friendly.
- Family oriented: encourages parent participation and involvement, social events and fun matches.
Golf, Running, Tennis: Individual Sports, Collective Spirit
Golf
Bungay & Waveney Valley Golf Club
For Adults: The club is very attractive to adults, particularly for the quality of its 18-hole course, superb practice facilities, vibrant social scene, and member benefits (such as England Golf membership, tournaments, and a modern clubhouse with bar and dining). Membership offers flexible options, including full membership, graded (discounted for younger adults), and a popular social membership. Adults also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with other courses and social events.
For Children: Junior golf membership is available (free under 11, reduced rates for under 15 and under 18), but the club's youth activity is minimal compared to its adult focus. The course and club culture mainly cater to adult players and social groups, making it less a kids-first club.
Running Club
Bungay Black Dog Running Club
For Everyone: This is a welcoming, inclusive club with junior and senior memberships. They cater to all ages and abilities—complete beginners to experienced runners. Events through the year include cross-country and road races, social runs, and the famous annual "Groggy Doggy" fun run on Boxing Day at Outney Common—a family and community event where everyone, including children, parents, and dogs, can join in costume for a festive muddy jog.
Notable Initiatives: The club partners with DS Active to provide monthly inclusive athletics for people with Down's syndrome, further strengthening its family- and community-oriented appeal.
Tennis
The tennis courts at Maltings Meadow Sports Club in Ditchingham (serving Bungay) are run and managed by Bungay Tennis Club. The club is resident at Maltings Meadow, which is also home to several other sports clubs.
- Bungay Tennis Club operates two floodlit, artificial grass (Astroturf) courts at Maltings Meadow Sports Club. The club is described as small, friendly, and sociable, welcoming players of all ages and abilities, from absolute beginners to experienced competitors.
- Ownership and Management: The courts and clubhouse are within the wider Maltings Meadow Sports Club complex, but Bungay Tennis Club directly manages bookings, coaching, club sessions, and memberships.
- Booking and Access: Courts are bookable online by members using the ClubSpark system, making them accessible and easy to use for the community.
- Facilities: The courts are floodlit for year-round evening and winter use and support adult, junior, and family participation. The club holds open days, regular social sessions, coaching, and holiday events for families and individuals.
Martial Arts & Combat Sports
Black Dog Judo Club
The Black Dog Judo Club continues to operate successfully at the former Chaucer Club venue, maintaining the strong tradition of martial arts training in Bungay. While the Chaucer Club itself has closed, the building remains an active community hub with the judo club providing excellent training opportunities for children and adults alike.
- Location: Former Chaucer Club building, continuing the venue's role as a sports and community facility
- Age Groups: Classes for children from age 5 upwards through to adults
- Training Focus: Traditional judo techniques, self-discipline, physical fitness, and confidence building
- Community Value: The club helps maintain the building's community purpose, ensuring local families continue to benefit from this important venue
- Inclusive Approach: Welcomes beginners and experienced practitioners, with grading opportunities and competition pathways available
Bungay Taekwon-do Club
A thriving martial arts club that has been serving the Bungay community for over 21 years, offering ITF-style Taekwon-do training for all ages and abilities.
- Location: Bungay High School, Queens Road, Bungay NR35 1RW
- Training Times: Tuesdays 7:00-8:00pm, Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm (8:30pm for Red belts and above)
- Special Sessions: Jeegoo training on 1st Wednesday of each month 6:30-8:00pm for Red belts and above
- Age Range: Ages 5 and upwards with no upper age limit - great for families training together
- Instructor: Led by Mr Clinton Gillett VI Degree International Instructor, supported by black belt students
- Training Focus: Hand and feet techniques, patterns, semi-contact sparring, self-defence, breaking techniques
- Competitive Opportunities: Regular gradings, national competitions, England Squad training opportunities
- Family-Friendly: Explicitly welcomes families to train together - "a great family sport where mums and dads can learn alongside their children"
- Standards: Member of British Taekwondo Council with NSPCC Advanced Standards in Safeguarding
- First Session Free: New beginners always welcome with free taster sessions available
Additional martial arts and fitness activities also continue at the former Chaucer Club venue, demonstrating the community's commitment to maintaining accessible sports facilities despite the closure of the original Chaucer Club.
Water Sports: Making the Most of the Waveney
Bungay is home to the Waveney Valley Canoe Club, an active and family-friendly canoe/kayak club based at the Riverside Centre on Bungay Staithe, right by the beautiful River Waveney:
Who can join?
The club welcomes all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to experienced paddlers, with memberships for families, adults, juniors, and students. Many members join as family groups, making it great for parents and children wanting to paddle together.
What does the club do?
- Offers regular coached sessions during the spring, summer, and autumn on the river in Bungay, and pool sessions in winter (Harleston pool or similar venues) for technique, safety, and fun capsize practice.
- Skills development courses accredited by British Canoeing, tailored for juniors and adults—covering everything from basic paddling and water safety to advanced skills, plus rescue techniques.
- Club trips and adventures along the Waveney and in the Broads, including day trips, informal evening paddles, and mini-expeditions.
- Social paddles, river clean-ups, and friendly, sociable events for members.
- All club equipment—canoes, kayaks, SUPs (stand-up paddleboards), paddles, and safety gear—are available to members at no extra cost, lowering the barrier to trying or taking up the sport.
Accessibility & Community
The club is volunteer-run, sociable, and inclusive, making a welcoming space for newcomers as well as families just wanting to try an evening on the river. The Riverside Centre at Bungay Staithe has changing, shower, and toilet facilities, making family outings practical. Environmental stewardship and river clean-up events add value to the community and local ecology.
Athletics, Swimming & Fitness
Athletics & Track and Field
Waveney Valley Athletics Club
- While not based directly in Bungay (primary track facilities are at Sir John Leman High School, Beccles, and Bungay High School sports fields), local children, teens, and adults join this friendly, active club for all-round athletics.
- Weekly training sessions in running (sprints/long-distance), jumping (long jump, high jump), throwing (shot, discus, javelin), hurdles, and combined events.
- All ages and abilities welcome, with U11, U13, U15, U17, and adult categories, team competitions in East Anglian leagues, and certified, approachable coaches.
- Regular home meets hosted at Beccles and sometimes at Bungay's secondary school track.
Bungay Black Dog Running Club
- Much more than road running!
- "Track nights" at Bungay High School's all-weather athletics track (when available), including interval sprints, relays, technique, cross-training.
- Collaboration with Waveney Valley for taster sessions in hurdles, relay, and field event basics for juniors and new adults.
Swimming: Indoor and Wild
Swimming, Health & Fitness in Bungay
Waveney Valley Leisure Centre
- Location: Bungay, NR35 1PH (easily accessible, free parking, walk/cycle friendly).
- Facilities: 25m heated main pool with full length for exercise, training, lane swimming, or leisure. Separate shallow teaching pool perfect for young children, beginners, and families.
- Accessibility: hoist/step entry, gradated stairs, accessible changing and showers, poolside viewing area.
- Modern changing facilities: individual/family cubicles, baby change stations, lockers.
Programmes & Sessions
- Public Swims: General swimming, family splash, adult lane/fun, early morning, evening, and weekends.
- Lessons: All ages (babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults); learn-to-swim, advanced stroke, water confidence and aquaphobia support.
- Aquafit/Water Fitness: Regular group classes for cardiovascular health, flexibility, low-impact fitness; sessions available for adults and seniors.
- Private Hire/Pool Parties: Available for birthday celebrations, group bookings (with inflatables or pool toys).
- Inclusive/Aided Sessions: SEND-friendly swim times, supported swim with floats, quieter hours for those needing sensory adjustments.
Outdoor Wild Swimming: Meadows & River Waveney
Key Locations:
- Outney Common, Bungay Staithe, and Falcon Meadow—accessible banks or slipways into the calm stretches of the River Waveney.
- Popular informal "beach" spots with shallow entry, natural lawns/meadows for relaxing and picnics.
What's On Offer:
- Clean, gently flowing water ideal for adults, families, and supervised children, especially in summer.
- Wild swimming is a traditional Bungay pastime—locals gather for "early dips", weekend swims, and midsummer river swims.
- Water quality is generally high but swimmers should check community reports for algae or flow alerts (especially after heavy rain or hot weather).
- Wildlife: Share the river with fish, ducks, swans, kingfishers, and in quiet times even otters.
The Pattern That Emerges
Multi-Generational Involvement: Bungay's sports culture is notably inclusive—many clubs offer paths for both adults and children, helping whole families engage in exercise and community.
Parents' Social and Wellbeing Appeal: Clubs and teams are hubs for socialising and friendship, especially for adults looking for wellness, competition, or simple recreation.
Events for All: Major family events—like the Boxing Day "Groggy Doggy" run—draw wide participation and encourage multi-generational activity.
What emerges is a town where physical activity isn't compartmentalised into age groups or ability levels, but woven into the fabric of community life. Children grow up seeing their parents active and engaged; adults find friendship and fitness together; and the whole community benefits from the connections formed through shared challenge and celebration.