Latest news with #Lord'sTaverners
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Newton Abbot College reach National Table Cricket final
The team left Devon at five o'clock in the morning to head to the fabled Home of Cricket, where they faced off against 11 other schools from around the country in a festival of the inclusive sport. Newton Abbot were making their first appearance at Lord's but were far from overwhelmed at the occasion as they reached the final, where they were narrowly beaten by Wirral Grammar School for Boys to take a well-earned runners-up finish. 'We first entered table cricket last year for the first time,' said PE teacher Kelcey Pillage. 'We went to the area round and then the county round. This year we took two teams and this team were undefeated and came out on top to reach Lord's. 'We left at 5am this morning, we weren't sure if they were all going to make it but they were all there bright and early. 'Even just coming into London, they were looking out the windows and asking loads of questions. It's a huge thing for them that is very exciting. 'When we first drove into Lord's, they were starstruck by everything around them.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. The sport provides opportunities for participants to benefit from all that sport can offer, something Pillage has seen firsthand. She added: 'We have a few students who come to our cricket club who love cricket but maybe can't access it as much as some of the other students. We have introduced them to this and they just love it. They get really involved and love the high success that they get from it. 'We have a team captain who has probably not been a team captain before, he loves the role and leading the team. Skills like that are so important.' Pupils also met cricket legends David Gower and Mike Gatting, and were presented with their medals by current England bowler Reece Topley. For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Gower, who serves as president of the Lord's Taverners. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.'
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
School make lifelong memories at National Table Cricket Finals Day
The High School, Leckhampton made lifelong memories at Lord's as they took part in the National Table Cricket Finals Day. The Cheltenham school battled through regional rounds to take on 11 other schools at the Home of Cricket, and while they didn't take home the trophy, they revelled in playing at an iconic sporting venue. The school only started playing the sport this academic year but teacher Richard Gill explained how it has already taken off amongst pupils who loved their day in London. 'They have loved it,' he said. 'We rocked up at school at 5.45 in the morning, there was lots of energy on the bus on the way here. We have had some really good individual and team performances. 'We are quite a new school, so these pupils are the pioneers. Looking back at it in a few years' time, they will really appreciate what they have done and the amazing opportunity. 'It has been amazing. We didn't think we could achieve something like this at the start of the year. 'We have got several pupils hooked for life and they had never played it before this year.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. The sport provides opportunities for participants to benefit from all that sport can offer, something Gill has seen first-hand. 'Their confidence has grown massively, they have met so many new people on their journey and they are quite happy to talk to them,' he added. 'They have a really strong sense of pride and ownership around table cricket. They are trying to get more people involved at school and everyone wants a bit of it now because they've got to a national final. Everyone at school is so proud of them.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Lord's Taverners President and former England batter David Gower. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.'
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
William Howard School finish top four at National Table Cricket finals
The Brampton-based school battled through three regional rounds to earn a trip to London, with pupils and staff setting off the day before their big event at the Home of Cricket. They progressed past the group stage to earn a fourth-place finish out of the 12 teams in action, and teacher Tracey Croucher was thrilled with a memorable day for her students. 'We have been doing it for about ten years, this is our fourth time coming to Lord's. It's a massive achievement to get here, it is about enjoying it and doing the best you can,' she said. 'These children have come along for extra practices after school. It has brought together children from different year groups, all with different needs.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. The sport provides opportunities for participants to benefit from all that sport can offer, something Croucher has seen first-hand. 'It means a lot to them,' she added. 'They relax when they come to practice, they get a feeling of achievement and success that they might not get elsewhere in sport. 'We've seen a massive difference in confidence. To be able to come here for them is amazing.' Pupils also met cricketing legends David Gower and Mike Gatting and were presented with their medals by current England bowler Reece Topley. It made the journey down from Cumbria all the more worth it, with many pupils visiting London for the first time. 'It was a very long journey,' said Croucher. 'We came down yesterday and got to London about three o'clock and went to Hyde Park. We had a lovely walk and a paddle. It was really nice to have everyone together as a team. 'When they found out they had qualified for the final, they were just over the moon and shouting 'We're going to London!' 'For quite a few of them, it's their first time in London so they were spotting the red buses, the black cabs and taking loads of photos.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Gower, who serves as president of the Lord's Taverners. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Khan thrilled to lead his school to National Table Cricket Finals
The Luton school battled through regional rounds to take on 11 other schools at the Home of Cricket, and while they didn't take home the trophy, they made memories for life playing at an iconic sporting venue. And teaching assistant and table cricket lead Mohsin Khan revealed how excitement has been sweeping through the pupils in recent weeks. 'Both me and my students are so happy to be here,' he said. 'They've been talking about it all week, asking 'sir, when are we going?' They've been buzzing all week. 'This is a fantastic opportunity for them because in typical sports teams, they don't usually get picked, but with table cricket, they all have a chance to showcase their skills, and at such a famous venue too.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. (Image: imagecomms) Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. Khan, who runs the after-school table cricket club on Monday afternoons, also expressed the importance of having inclusive events such as the National Table Cricket Finals Day for students to aim for. 'We 100% need to make sure that events like this continue and grow,' he added. 'We need to give these students as many opportunities as possible so even those students who missed out on today, they can attend other tournaments. 'Overall, I'm super proud of all our students here.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Lord's Taverners President and former England batter David Gower. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
School make history during National Table Cricket Finals Day at Lord's
Crieff flew down to London to take on 11 other schools at the Home of Cricket and while they didn't take home the trophy, they made memories for life playing at an iconic sporting venue. The school only started playing the inclusive sport three months ago but have immediately taken to the sport and Cricket Scotland Disability Cricket Development Officer Connor Brian hopes their trip to London can act as a catalyst for the spread of the sport across the country. 'We have been pushing to try and get table cricket out to as many schools as we can with support from Lord's Taverners,' said Brian. 'We have had great work in Perthshire and Kinross, where Crieff are based, and they have really taken to the sport. 'They have been working at it for about three months and have really taken to it like a duck to water. They did really well at the national competition and have come down to represent Scotland.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. The sport provides opportunities for participants to benefit from all that sport can offer, something Brian has seen first-hand. 'Team sport isn't something that always comes naturally, it can often be seen as something that involves a lot of running around which doesn't always suit people,' he added. 'Having table cricket as an option, getting the group together, learning how to work with your team-mates and having that competitive edge has been really important. 'You can see the confidence the kids have got, you can feel the boost in self-esteem which you get from sport. 'We want to grow it as much as possible. We want to run more locally, so we can have more festivals in different parts of the country and then come together for a national final. Hopefully this school are an inspiration for others.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Lord's Taverners President and former England batter David Gower. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
