Lord's Taverners disability cricket programme to benefit from further ECB investment

Further support from the ECB will allow Lord's Taverners to grow their reach to more schools and continue to deliver inclusive cricket to thousands more young people

The Cricketer | 18/10/2023 at 15:07

This article features in our November 2023 magazine. To read the full version, get a copy of the magazine by clicking here

Increased funding from the ECB over the next two-and-a-half years is set to benefit thousands of young people with a disability in special educational and disabilities (SEND) schools.

This further support from the ECB will help the Lord's Taverners make cricket available to more young people with a disability than ever before by providing participants with inclusive coaching, training for teachers and appropriate equipment.

This investment is part of the ECB's efforts to make cricket the country's most inclusive sport and address barriers highlighted in the recent report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket.

Through funding from the ECB announced before the 2022/23 academic year, the Lord's Taverners delivered cricket in conjunction with county cricket boards across the country in 400 new schools for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, benefitting around 13,000 children. This expansion announced this month will see cricket delivered into a further 200 schools, reaching another 7,000 students.

Lords Taverners CEO, Mark Curtin, said: "We've made phenomenal progress in the first year of this partnership which has allowed us to bring cricket to thousands more young people living with a disability – many of whom rarely get the chance to experience sport.

"We're seeing and hearing every day from teachers, parents and carers the impact this crucial work is delivering – not just in the school environment but also the wider outcomes the programme is achieving.

"This increased funding will allow us to grow our reach into more schools and continue to deliver inclusive cricket to thousands more young people – none of which would be possible without this partnership and fantastic support we receive from the ECB."

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^{Students with a disability at Red Boots School, Birmingham have benefited from the introduction of table cricket [supplied]}

We've already been hearing about the impact the new cricket delivery in SEND schools has been having on young people like Libby.

She was born at 32 weeks' gestation following a normal pregnancy. Shortly after birth, her parents were told there was evidence of cysts on her brain, and this was confirmed at five months old when she was diagnosed with evolving cerebral palsy diplegia.

Now seven years old, Libby cannot stand or walk unaided and uses a wheelchair to get around. At home she also uses a walker as crawling hurts her knees but is often too tired to use it and is carried by mum or dad.

Libby has settled in well at school and it was here where she was introduced to table cricket, which she loves. Playing has given Libby the opportunity to experience her own sporting activity and even inspired her to want to wear sportswear and become more interested in other sports such as swimming, football, basketball – with a non-disabled older brother who is passionate about sports, especially football, it has given them a shared interest.

"On Thursdays Libby gets so excited about cricket at school she can’t wait to put her tracksuit on and get out of the door," says her mum.

Libby says she has really liked the social elements table cricket has brought to her life – enabling her to engage with other children and young adults, especially during competitions.

"I feel happy when I'm playing cricket on the table tennis table and like having the fielders around. I loved the competition because I got to meet lots of other people which is what I wanted to do."

She has become more confident and playing cricket has enabled her to meet some of her aspirations and life goals like being more independent, having fun while learning and feeling happy and safe when away from mum and dad, and around other children.

To find out more, visit the Lord's Taverners website