Celebrating the impact of Lord's Taverners national disability cricket programme

Young people with a disability were presented with Inspire Awards by England internationals Emma Lamb and Ed Hossell at their Super 1s Awards Evening hosted at the Kia Oval

The Cricketer | 18/10/2024 at 11:02

The event, delivered alongside the charity’s long-term partner, the Berkeley Foundation, recognises young people with a disability for their achievements and personal development in Super 1s over the previous year.

Read on to find out more about each of the award winners’ stories:

Abdul

Abdul Qasim’s (Buckinghamshire) efforts to improve opportunities for young people with disabilities in his community have been invaluable. Despite the barriers being faced, including being the only participant attending sessions when the Super 1s project initially started in Buckinghamshire, he remained committed and helped encourage others to join. His determination, passion for the game, and ability to break down social barriers by integrating people from diverse backgrounds into sessions, made him an incredibly worthy award winner.

Watch Abdul's own film on the night illutrating his story here.

Hamza

A participant from the Lord’s Taverners Southampton Wicketz project, Hamza, became the first non-Super 1s participant to receive an Inspire Award in the event’s history. He was recognised for his personal development and contribution to a combined Super 1s and Wicketz residential that took place at Arundel Castle this summer, which saw him run adapted cricket sessions for Super 1s participants and showcase the importance of learning about the challenges others may face in their everyday life.

Watch Hamza's own film on the night illustrating his story here.

Lucy

Having strong role models and people representative of those the charity supports through Super 1s within their Development Officer and coaches’ network, is vital. Middlesex D40 cricketer Lucy Hunter, who coaches on the Oxfordshire Super 1s project, picked up a well-deserved Inspire Award on the night for her invaluable role in helping to deliver inclusive sessions in the county. Diagnosed with autism aged 20, Lucy overcame personal battles with anxiety and depression to play in the first women’s Disability Premier League and gain her Level 2 coaching qualification. Volunteering with Super 1s, Lucy has used her experiences to mentor and empower young people with disabilities in Oxfordshire. Her empathy and dedication have helped to create an inclusive environment, and she has been instrumental in promoting equal opportunities for women and individuals with a disability in cricket.

Watch Lucy's own film on the night illustrating her story here.

Imogen

Surrey Super 1s participant Imogen Parkes was the fourth participant to take to the stage on the night and receive an Inspire Award due to her remarkable journey of personal growth through cricket. Imogen lives with autism and ADHD, and her passion for the sport, inspired by cricketer Alice Capsey, has led her to embrace cricket through Super 1s. Her involvement has helped her build confidence, make friends, and develop as a player whilst also championing women and girls in sport. Her confidence over the past year has grown to such a level, that she is now considering a return to school following a period of time being homeschooled.

Shortly after being presented with the award, she said: “I’m grateful to receive this award and hope to continue inspiring girls to play cricket and help to remove the barriers stopping girls from wanting to play in any way that I can.”

In a first for the Super 1s Awards, an Inspire Award was also presented to Imogen’s mum, Steph, for everything she’s done for her daughter and through her role as an assistant coach at the Surrey Super 1s project since Imogen got involved with the programme.

She said: “I’m honoured to receive this award and want to share it with every Super 1s parent across the country. This is for all the parents who dedicate so much time and effort supporting their children who live with a disability whether it be through moral support or endless travelling to ensure they get to enjoy the best possible experiences. Every parent has their own inspirational story to tell and are an inspiration themselves.”

Watch Imogen's own film on the night illustrating her story here.

There are so many incredible stories of young people with a disability and their families being positively impacted by Super 1s. If you’d like to get involved in the programme or find out more, visit lordstaverners.org/super1s.