Inclusive Cricket Day at Bowdon Vale CC
Members of the Cheshire Super 9s Disability Squad visited Bowdon Vale Cricket Club on Sunday 25 June to support the club’s Inclusive Cricket Development Day.
The Cheshire players acted as captains and role models for the intra-club event, which saw players with a range of disabilities and additional needs take part in a series of fun softball matches.
England Learning Disability captain and Cheshire Super 9s coach Chris Edwards helped to coordinate the day, alongside Lorna Robinson and other volunteers from Bowdon Vale CC – an ECB Disability Champion Club.
Chris said: “Our players really enjoyed the experience, and it was nice to give something back and help other cricketers develop.
“This was a great opportunity to show our appreciation to Bowdon Vale for their support in using their facilities for our County matches.”
Sunday’s event was totally inclusive of gender, age, disability and ability, with softball matches running from 11am until the presentation at 3.30pm. Participants were divided into small teams, with equipment and rules modified to ensure everyone could achieve some personal success.
Lorna said: “What a fantastic day we had down at the Vale. It was brilliant to see the Cheshire players interacting with our members and helping them to develop their social skills as well as fine and gross motor skills.
“The Cheshire players were of higher ability, but we made some modifications to the rules to keep things interesting. For example, some of them batted with a stump instead of a bat.
“Some of our parents and carers never thought they would see their son, daughter or service user playing formal cricket. There were some very proud people watching, including me!”
Lorna has been the driving force behind disability cricket at Bowdon Vale for more than a decade. She is also Head of Service at the Pavilion Project, a community programme based at the Trafford club which supports vulnerable people and those with learning disabilities.
“It has taken about nine years for the Bowdon Vale disabled players (aka Pavilion Project) to get to a point they can listen and follow instructions and show understanding with regards to cricket,” said Lorna.
“This event showed just what progress they have made, particularly in terms of receiving instruction and in their social communication and interaction with other players.”
She added: “I would like to thank our President John Ryan, and all the Pavilion Project staff for their unwavering support not just on Sunday but through our entire journey.
“We are extremely grateful to Chris and the Cheshire Super 9s, not only for supporting this event but for believing in us and what we are trying to achieve. We have had great support from Cheshire Cricket down the years and we hope this relationship continues.”
· For more information about how to become a Disability Champion club, click here.
To get involved with Disability Cricket in Cheshire please contact our Disability Manager Owen Williamson