With funding from the Lords Taverners and ECB we have been able to widen our reach and support for Disability cricket within Cheshire through the Super 1s Initiative. The funding allows us to work with Community Cricket Hubs throughout Cheshire.
Super 1s provides young people with a disability aged 12-25 the chance to play regular, competitive cricket and realise their potential, both on and off the pitch. By creating community cricket hubs where young people can receive coaching, we give participants the chance to compete against their peers and enjoy the benefits of playing sport, whilst empowering young people to become role models to others.
MONDAYS:
Winsford Hub | 6pm -7pm
Winsford Academy CW7 2BT
MONDAYS:
Birkenhead Hub | 5pm - 6pm
The Hive Youth Zone, Bright St,
Birkenhead CH41 4EA
TUESDAYS:
Chester Hub | 5pm - 6pm
Chester Catholic High School CH4 7HS
THURSDAYS:
Warrington Hub | 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Birchwood Leisure Centre WA3 7PT
For more information contact Owen Williamson
SUPER 1s
ECB AND LORD’S TAVERNERS BRING DISABILITY CRICKET TO CHESHIRE - Nov 2021
Warrington is the first town to have a Super 1s disability cricket hub as part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) partnership with the Lord’s Taverners charity. 16 young people living with a disability from across the area are already attending the programme held each Thursday between 6-7PM at Woolston Learning Village.
Super 1s, a national Lord’s Taverners programme delivered in conjunction with county cricket boards, gives young people living with a disability the chance to play regular, competitive cricket and giving participants the chance to interact with their peers and enjoy the benefits of playing sport.
But the programme is more than just about playing cricket, it improves physical and mental well-being, gives a sense of belonging and allows participants to make friends and gain skills for life such as confidence and independence.
The game-changing £2m partnership between the ECB and Lord’s Taverners launched in April, and is making the life-changing disability cricket programme accessible in every county in England and Wales by the end of 2024 as part of the biggest ever investment in to a disability cricket programme.
The partnership will see increased participation in Lord’s Taverners disability cricket programmes, Super 1s and Table Cricket, inspire social change and empower tens of thousands more disabled young people to fulfil their potential and build life skills through the sport.
Cheshire Super 1s Development Officer, Owen Williamson, is excited about the work that is just starting across the county, with hubs in Birkenhead, Trafford and Stockport set to launch in early 2022.
Owen said: “I’ve seen the impact Super 1s has already had elsewhere and I’m extremely excited to see it introduced to Cheshire. Warrington is a great place to launch the first hub since the ECB’s partnership with the Lord’s Taverners was confirmed. With 16 participants signed up within a month of launching, it’s already been a huge success and I can’t wait to see it go from strength to strength. This is just the beginning, with hubs across the entire county opening in January and February next year.”
Current and future participants in Warrington are also benefiting from England Learning Disabilities Captain Chris Edwards being one of the coaches at the newly launched hub. His talents as a cricketer and coach, as well as his knowledge about the personal development opportunities playing the game offers, are a vital part of the success of the hub.
On Chris’ role at the hub, Owen said: “Chris Edwards is a great role model for our participants. As the Captain of the England Learning Disabilities squad, he obviously has a tremendous background as a cricketer. However, away from the game he’s a fantastic inspiration for these young people as a person living with a disability who is working and living independently. He’s a testament to the power of sport in the development of young people and is very keen to share his knowledge.”
All Cheshire Super 1s hubs are open to any and all young people aged 12-25 living with a disability.
For more information and to register your interest, contact Owen Williamson: Owen.williamson@cheshirecricketboard.co.uk
November 2021