Middlesex CCC are backing a new initiative to help engage up to 640 disabled people from across London in competitive cricket, writes Rob O'Connor .
The scheme, to be known as The Lord Taverners Disability Cricket Championships, aims to open the door to some of the 60% of disabled people who feel a lack of opportunity is preventing them from participating in regular sporting activity.
And Middlesex are throwing their weight behind the initiative by being one of the partners in developing and running the project.
The partnership, which will see Middlesex team up with Essex, Kent and Surrey as well as disability sports charity The Lord Taverners, will target those aged 14-25 with a limiting disability in a bid to address some worrying statistics surrounding national participation in disability sports.
Recent figures show that just 18% of disabled people take part in sport at least once a week, compared with 39% of non-disabled people, and a lack of access has been cited as a root cause.
Middlesex will play a key role in the training and recruitment of coaches to help young players develop both skills and confidence, with regular competition available to aid the growth of motivation and communication amongst disabled cricketers.
Also on board with the project are Wembley National Stadium Trust, who will be pledge £80,000 over a three-year period that will eventually see the LTDCC expanded to cover all 32 London boroughs.
Chief Executive of The Lord Taverners Paul Robin said: “The Lord Taverners has a proud history of supporting disability cricket so I am delighted that this new initiative for London has won support from the Wembley National Stadium Trust as well as the four County Cricket Boards that we shall be partnering.
“We believe that all children should benefit from playing competitive sport. Physical disability should not be a barrier.”
