Cricket has no boundaries. That was the message as pupils from seven Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools took part in a cricket festival at Edgbaston’s Indoor School.
Around 200 children from Hereward College, Ninestiles, Queensbury, Sherbourne Fields, Hallmoor, Woodlands School, and Hawthorn Primary took part in the fun tournament.
The event was organized by Warwickshire Cricket Foundation whose coaches run sessions throughout the year at SEN schools across the county.
It marked the start of Disability History Month and is the latest initiative run by the Club, in conjunction with the Lord Taverners, to make cricket accessible for people with learning or physical disabilities.
Nigel Perry-Ogden from the Foundation, said: ““Looking around here, the energy, enthusiasm and smiling faces, it goes to show that there are no barriers to the sport.
“I find it rewarding because you get so much back from these kids, immediate feedback, they are enjoying it, not trying to hide their emotions. If they’re having a good time, we know about it. It’s why I love working with SEN schools.
“But there are also opportunities for people with special needs to get involved in cricket in other ways, not just playing. We have members of the Access team currently taking their coaching badges.”
One of those is Haroon Irshad.
Haroon is autistic and a member of the Warwickshire Access disability team which played in the national D40 hardball league for the first time last season.
He said: “I want to help kids like myself, who have disabilities or special needs, to participate in cricket. I’m autistic. I used to attend Ninestiles which is one of the schools at the festival. Connecting cricket with disabilities is something I’m passionate about.
“There was someone at the festival in a wheelchair, hitting a ball and getting involved. It shows how inclusive cricket is…I would say it’s the most accessible sport out there.
“The cricket community is very welcoming for anyone with disabilities, the guys at Warwickshire are like one big family.”
Warwickshire’s Access team – which includes players with learning and physical disabilities – stepped up to the D40 Pursuit Midlands & North league in 2024 for a first taste of hardball cricket.
They took on Cheshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire in the five-team league and claimed their first ever hardball win against Shropshire.
But for those new to cricket, the Foundation it runs Super 1s hubs in Edgbaston, Coventry, Castle Bromwich, Stratford-upon-Avon and Knowle, with plans for another to open in Leamington Spa next year.
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