Bluebird Care Disability Cricket

Hampshire Cricket Board has one of the most advanced disability cricket programs in the country. The Bluebird Care Disability Cricket Program provides training and competitive opportunities for people of all ages with a variety of learning, emotional and physical disabilities. The HCB also supports the Hampshire Visually Impaired Cricket Club to provide opportunities for cricketers who are blind and partially sighted.

Disability Cricket in Hampshire has received financial support from a wide variety of sources including individuals, charities and private companies. Particular thanks must go to Bluebird Care the Programme’s Headline Sponsor. Other contributors include Sport England, 3C Environmental Technology, Richard Kirkman Trust, Richard Overall Trust and the Hampshire Cricket Members.

The HCB owes a debt of gratitude to disability cricket pioneer and current Board Chairman, Jeff Levick, who set up the program in 1998 and coordinated its delivery for the following 10 years. Since its inception Hampshire’s Disability Cricket Program has grown to unrivalled levels and in November 2007 the HCB appointed Greig Stewart (Disability CDO) to manage the future development of disability cricket in Hampshire.

The county's performance squads continue to improve performances year on year. The Elite Squad finished as National Runners-Up in 2008 and reached the competition's semi-final stages in 2009 and 2010. HCB is committed to continuing the development of elite opportunities for cricketers with disabilities.

Disability Cricket continues to thrive in the county, there are currently over 1,000 disabled participants in Hampshire playing at school, in clubs and representing the county in national competitions. The overriding success of this program has been highlighted by the inclusion of no less than four of Hampshire’s Learning Disabilities players in the England Squad.

In future, priorities are based around providing sustainable opportunities outside of the school environment. This will centre on supporting clubs and coaches to provide inclusive opportunities within training sessions as well as continuing to develop disability cricket sections attached to mainstream clubs. The recruitment of volunteers and coaches is vital in ensuring the future of disability cricket in Hampshire.

For more information on Disability Cricket in Hampshire please email, Disability CDM: Simon Jones or call him on 07920 452537.