A local cricket club in Queensland’s Moreton Bay area is launching an all abilities program to give kids with disabilities the opportunity to have a go at cricket.
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia but there is some way to go before kids with varied abilities have the same opportunities to learn cricket as everyone else.
Pine Rivers Cricket Club, in consultation with Queensland Cricket is trying to change that – with a four-week program starting on 20 November.
Try out cricket in a fun and supportive environment.
Club President and Leap in! Crew member, Ben Smith said that the program aimed to give kids aged 6-18 years a chance to play cricket in a supportive, fun and non-judgemental environment.
“We want to give kids with a disability an opportunity to get out there and have a go. I’ve played cricket all my life but there are some kids who have missed out. This program is aimed at creating a pathway for everyone to see if cricket is something they might be interested in,” Ben said.
Stations will be set up to focus on each of the skill sets associated with cricket including catching, hitting and scoring. The focus will be on working with the abilities and strengths of each individual and tailoring activities to suit their needs.
The benefits of cricket.
Like any physical activity, taking part in a cricket program like this one can bring loads of benefits:
- Develop new skills
- Make new friends
- Build confidence
- Improve coordination, strength and balance
- Increase fitness
- Learn how to work as a team.
Becoming more inclusive.
Ben said that Pine Rivers Cricket Club wanted to offer programs reflecting the diverse local community and has already run successful training for aspiring vision impaired cricketers.
“Moreton Bay area is home to many people with disabilities and there are quite a few special schools here too. Our club is committed to accessibility and inclusion. We have recently completed renovations to our facilities, including accessible toilets and showers,” Ben said.
Several other clubs across Queensland already have similar programs and All Abilities Cricket is also available in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia. Some states even have all abilities representative teams.
Pine Rivers All Abilities Cricket.
All Abilities Cricket will take place at the Pine Rivers Cricket Club every Friday afternoon for four weeks from 20 November. Each session will go for 45 minutes and bookings are required.
All equipment is supplied and there is no cost for the program. Any Queensland Cricket fees could possibly be paid through your NDIS funding depending on how your budgets are set up.
Support workers and family members are welcome to attend. For more details, contact Ben at pineriverscricket@gmail.com or call 0403 598 736.
Depending on interest, future programs are likely to be scheduled in 2021.
Leap in! can help.
Whether you’re looking for a plan manager in Queensland, or if you’re keen to get involved in community sport or other community based activities and are unsure of how your NDIS funding can assist, give Leap in! a call on 1300 05 78 78 or chat with us on our website (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
Further Reading
Assistance with Social and Community Participation.
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