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BELFAST – After developing and piloting a key Disability Cricket Programme last year, the Northern Cricket Union was set for an ambitious expansion of the initiative in 2020 – until COVID-19 struck. However, the enforced lockdown has only resulted in creating a renewed determination to grow the programme as soon as conditions permit.
Wayne Hughes, Schools & Clubs Engagement Officer for the Northern Cricket Union, said:

“This was set to be an exciting year for the Northern Cricket Union (NCU), as we are specifically rolling out a number of programmes targeting cricket participation growth in a number of non-traditional areas in an effort to make the sport more inclusive.”

“Last year, thanks to the support of Sport NI and the Department for Communities, we were able to deliver new programmes and offer more playing, coaching and volunteering opportunities across the region. One of the key areas that we wanted to develop further in 2020 was offering more cricket opportunities to people living with a disability.”

“To create and sustain our Disability Programme we met with Disability Sport NI (DSNI) who have proved to be a valuable partner in designing this programme content. They provided our staff and clubs with ‘Inclusion in Sport’ training, with 12 coaches in attendance learning about the insights and skills that could be applied to allow clubs and coaching sessions to be more inclusive and accessible.”

Image: Fundamental Movements in Training formed part of the DSNI training session

“This training also allows club coaches and staff to provide tailored cricket programmes in schools, and following the training our coaches have worked with DSNI on a schools-specific Disability Cricket Programme. This programme was subsequently rolled out in a 5-week block of coaching sessions in late 2019 in four schools to over 100 children across the NCU.”

“Once we are in a position to resume activity after the current crisis, we will continue our work with DSNI to build on this programmes success, reaching more schools and more community groups.”

“Another initiative we are exploring is the creation of an NCU Disability Club in the future to offer consistent opportunities all year round.”

Image: The NCU coaches undertaking training with DSNI in 2019



Craig Easdown
The NCU coaches at the DSNI training session in 2019
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