Sussex school reaches national Table Cricket final

Students at Northease Manor School in Lewes will be representing Sussex at Lord’s this Thursday 21st June the Lord’s Taverners Table Cricket Finals.

A team from the school are heading to the home of cricket to battle it out against eleven other schools as they look to be crowned champions of the national competition organised by the Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity.

And thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Ford who support the competition, the team from the school will be following in the footsteps of England captain Joe Root and playing at Lord’s.

Claire Farmer, Headteacher of Northease Manor, said: “Everyone at Northease Manor School is very excited to be able to play at Lord’s and to represent our school and Sussex at the Table Cricket Finals day.

“It’s fantastic to see how the students have developed both as individuals and a group since they started playing table cricket - giving them the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, tactics, be part of a team and also have fun. It’s going to be a great day at Lord’s but also a tough competition and we are really looking forward to it.”

A student from Northease Manor added: “It has been fun learning the skills and tactics and knowing when to use them. I’m glad that we are not just the Sussex champions but the South East Regional Champions.

“It’s brilliant to work as a team member and study other players and the tactics they use. It makes up feel proud to represent our school when we meet other schools”.

Sussex will also be represented by two County Disability Squad members, Lewis Pope and Callum Wolff, who, after successfully completing the Lord’s Taverners Table Cricket Leaders Award, have been asked to officiate at this year’s final.

The Lord’s Taverners table cricket competition in now in its 20th year and, working with 30 county cricket boards across the UK, more than 300 schools took part in the 10 regional heats to qualify for the finals.

Played on a table tennis table with side panels and sliding fielders, a ball launcher, weighted plastic ball and wooden bat, table cricket enables young people with severe physical and learning disabilities to enjoy cricket and represent their school on a competitive basis.

The game not only gives opportunities for competitive play and social integrations, it also improves life-skills including self-confidence, independence and social skills. An enhanced role for the captain also allows for the development of leadership skills.

The Lord’s Taverners aim to enhance the lives of disadvantaged and disabled young people through sport and recreation. Its programmes create a wide range of opportunities to engage in sport and recreational activities in their communities.