Foundation hosts landmark Disability event

Sussex Cricket Foundation Hosts Landmark Weekend 

Celebrating Disability Cricket

Last week, the Sussex Cricket Foundation proudly showcased its continued commitment to inclusive sport with a landmark weekend of Disability Cricket at The 1st Central County Ground, in partnership with the ECB, Lord’s Taverners and Webtrends Optimize. 

Festivities began on Friday, 16th May, with DIScoverABILITY Day, bringing together participants from across the county for a day of fun, engagement, and sport. 

The celebrations continued on Sunday, 18th May, with the launch of the inaugural Disability T10 Cup, introducing an exciting new format to the disability cricket calendar.

It was yet another day of sunshine and smiles on Friday 16th when the Sussex Cricket Foundation welcomed over 750 participants, as well as 150 volunteers from a variety of schools and organisations across the county to come and play on the hallowed turf at Hove.

Sports leaders from local secondary schools across the city escorted participants around different zones across the pitch, providing activities such as table cricket, football, wheelchair rugby, mini-golf and even modified boxing!

Lucy Western, star of the Sussex Sharks Women’s team and newly announced Sussex Cricket Foundation ambassador was also in attendance joining in with the fun and games alongside the participants. 

The weekend’s celebrations didn’t end there. Sussex Cricket and the Sussex Cricket Foundation proudly hosted the inaugural T10 Disability Cricket Cup, a groundbreaking tournament that brought together 40 of the nation’s top Disability Cricketers for a thrilling knockout competition at The 1st Central County Ground in Hove.

Broadcast live on the Club’s website with full commentary, the event drew more than 5,000 viewers throughout the day, as fans from across the country tuned in to witness an exceptional showcase of talent and competitive spirit.

The tournament reached a dramatic conclusion, with Hampshire clinching victory on the very last ball of the final, edging past Surrey in a nail-biting finish to claim the historic first title.

Speaking on the historic tournament, Sussex Sharks D40 captain, James Bunday commented: “The first thing I would like to say about the T10 Cup, is a massive ‘thank you’ to each & every person who helped to facilitate such an amazing opportunity for me and the rest of the players. 

“Thanks also to Matt Smith and his team at Webtrends Optimize, who continues to support Disability Cricket in Sussex, and Sussex Cricket generally.”

Essex D40 captain, Joe Moss, added: I would like to thank Sussex and Tom Belcher for inviting Essex to be a part of this, the first T10 Disability Cup. The weekend was fabulous. I think this should be an annual event.

“Just to be able to play our program is really positive but to make people‘s dreams come true by playing at pro grounds and being treated like the pros is what every disability player dreams of and that’s what we experienced on Sunday.”

With such a positive impact made across the weekend, Disability Cricket Manager for the Sussex Cricket Foundation, Tom Belcher, is planning on coming back bigger and better in 2026: “It was yet another historic day for everyone involved in Disability Cricket this weekend. I am so proud that our Club has hosted two spectacularly impactful events across one weekend. 

“Disability Cricket in Sussex is in a fantastic place, including our VI team who are currently top of their league!

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible, including Webtrends Optimize, Lord’s Taverners and the ECB. Keep an eye out for us next season!” 

To find out more about Disability Cricket in Sussex, or to find out more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation, please visit: www.sussexcricket.co.uk/foundation 

To view photos from DIScoverABILITY Day, please click here. For photos from the T20 Cup photos, click here.