Disability table cricket festival
21 March 2012
A competition to find the South West’s brightest disability table cricket stars will see its winners on their way to Lord’s this year, following yesterday’s annual table cricket festival.
South Gloucestershire “A” beat South Gloucestershire “B” in a closely contested final, which took place at UWE Bristol Sports Hall on Tuesday 20th March.
The teams were made up of youngsters from Bradley Stoke, Brimsham Green, Beacon’s Rise and New Siblands School.
South Gloucestershire “A” who won this year’s regional tournament, hosted by Gloucestershire Cricket Board, will be heading to the home of cricket in June to compete in The Macquarie National Table Cricket Finals.
The competition, which was fiercely fought by around 40 children, was overseen by four official umpires, trained in disability table top cricket, courtesy of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and made possible by the generous support of John Lewis, Cribbs Causeway.
Founder of table cricket, Doug Williamson from The Lord’s Taverners, a youth cricket charity for young people with disabilities and special needs, was also in attendance along with organisers Jane Whittock, School Sport Coordinator and Chris Munden, Disability Development Officer for the Gloucestershire Cricket Board.
The tournament is part of the hugely popular Macquarie National Table Cricket competition which involves around 500 youngsters, with severe physical and learning disabilities, competing in regional heats which are held at venues around the country, including the Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley and the Rose Bowl.
Jane Whittock commented: “Table Cricket provides an opportunity for youngsters with severe physical or learning disabilities to play competitive cricket. I would like to congratulate all pupils for playing so well and demonstrating excellent team spirit throughout the day. It’s a credit to Gloucestershire Cricket and everyone involved should be very proud of what has been achieved.”
Chris Munden added: “I would like to thank John Lewis for their support of Disability Cricket over the past three years as their sponsorship has allowed us to run a whole host of disability cricket events. I would also like to thank Jane Whittock, our School Sport Coordinator for making today run smoothly as well as Doug Williamson from The Lord’s Taverners, for making it all possible. On behalf of everyone at Gloucester Cricket Board we also would like to wish the winners luck in the finals this year.”
MD of John Lewis Cribbs Causeway, Liz Mihell, commented: “John Lewis Cribbs Causeway is delighted to be able to support this year’s Table Cricket Festival. This is a great opportunity for local schools to get competitively involved in Cricket and we wish the winners the best of Luck at Lords.”
