THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THIS SUMMER
DISABILITY cricket chief STEVE LIGHTFOOT provides an update on the work being done by Staffordshire Cricket...
DESPITE Covid, 2021 was a busy year for Ability Cricket in Staffordshire.
And 2022 will be even busier now that we have a Super 1s programme funded by the Lord’s Taverners which will give young people with a disability aged 12 to 25 the chance to play regular, competitive cricket – by creating community cricket hubs where young people can receive coaching, we will give participants the chance to compete against their peers and enjoy the benefits of playing sport.
For many young people with a disability, loneliness has been identified as a major issue, and opportunities to take part in regular competitive sport can be extremely limited.
Super 1s will provide these opportunities and help young people realise their potential.
It will improve their physical and mental wellbeing, giving a sense of belonging as they make friends and gain skills for life such as confidence and independence.
The competition provided by Super 1s will give participants a real sense of achievement.
This new programme links in with our existing ability pathways for players with a learning, physical or hearing impairment (Super 9s) and also our visually impairment (Staffordshire Wolves VI) and will provide additional opportunities to reach out and grow participation.
The Super 9s team were unbeaten in 2021 with fixtures against Cheshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire, while the Staffordshire Wolves VI team had planned fixtures against Derbyshire,
Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Finally, we have established a network of Walking Cricket groups across the county. As the name suggests the game is played at walking place and is aimed at people over the age of 50, we have 10 groups across the county playing weekly.
One participant, Andy, said: “When I had a stroke back in 2015, my mental health suffered greatly because I had to retire from work, I was in the depths of depression.
“Fortunately I made a full recovery and started playing Walking Football which is brilliant, with people in their 80s playing.
“That got me involved and then Walking Cricket followed, I just love it – the idea of picking up a bat again was fantastic, and being around other people and playing a game I love, has been brilliant for me.”
A version for the Over-50s based on eight-a-side, with 16 overs, played indoors, but flexible enough to accommodate more and play outside in the summer.
Julie said: “When I initially started to play walking cricket, I very apprehensive as this was a new sport to me but being a complete novice and the only female in the team, I couldn’t have had a warmer welcome.
“Everyone has been so encouraging and helped me to develop my skills. I really look forward to the weekly sessions, not only because my fitness has improved, but I have made many new friends and gained confidence in myself.
“There’s definitely a great social element to the group with lots of laughter and I always leave feeling very proud of myself’.
Contact Steve
Lightfoot on s.lightfoot@ staffordshirecricket.co.uk or 07789 265618 for more information about Ability