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DIScoverABILITY Day makes glorious return

30 Sep 2021

Sussex Cricket held its annual disability inclusion event - DIScoverABILITY Day on Thursday 16th September. The flagship community event returned after a two-year break with over 300 people from fifteen different organisations including schools, colleges, day centres and community organisations enjoying a fun-filled day at The 1st Central County Ground.

It was a particularly important day for Sussex Cricket’s Disability Cricket coaching team who have not had the opportunity to work with special needs schools for the last 18 months. The event provided a great opportunity to promote the resumption of Sussex Cricket’s disability coaching programme and remind participants what they have been missing.

Volunteers

The diverse range of activities were put together and run by an enthusiastic team of twelve Sussex Cricket coaches, eight county disability squad players and 35 business and community volunteers.

The majority of volunteers came from Sussex businesses including 1st Central, Cancom, Mishon Mackay, Apple, Irwin Mitchell and Yes Promo Products. The event was also supported by 40 sports leaders from Brighton Girls School, Worthing High School, Dorothy Stringer School and Blatchington Mill School.

Kwik Cricket

The sports leaders escorted visiting groups around the different activity zones including old favourites like the Sussex Cricket Foundation inflatables and Sid the Shark’s Big Hit Challenge. Albion in the Community, Brighton Table Tennis Club and Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball ran adapted activities of their sports incorporating a cricket theme. Golf was a new addition to the sporting carousel, provided by junior golf provider, Jolf.

Wheelchair cricket

Visitors also had the option to play matches of three different formats of cricket - Lord Taverner’s Table Cricket, Blind Cricket and Kwik Cricket. Sandy the Shark was on hand again for numerous photo opportunities and proved as popular as ever.

Table Cricket

The outfield was bathed in glorious sunshine and smiling faces for the entire day, which generated some great comments from visitors and volunteers.

Penny Gittins, PE Specialist at Woodlands Meed School (Burgess Hill), said: “Our students had a brilliant day. Even the non-sporty ones! It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to try a range of different sports and has given them a greater appreciation for how talented and skilled students with different abilities can access sport. The staff enjoyed it too, saying it was the best event that they have ever taken our students to.” 

Batting

Reflecting on the day, Aroop Tanna, Disability Cricket Manager at Sussex Cricket said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many organisations and participants we work with back to Hove. With most of our Disability Cricket programme suspended over the last 18 months, it was really important to let everyone know we are back up and running and there’s no better way to do it than DIScoverABILITY Day. Thanks to all the business, school and community volunteers that worked so hard to make it such a wonderful occasion. We look forward to seeing everyone back next year.”

To find out more about our Disability Cricket Programmes please visit the dedicated section of our website or contact Aroop Tanna (Disability Cricket Manager).

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