Lifelong Memories Made at the Home of Cricket for High School Team

Strategic Insights -

The High School, Leckhampton from Cheltenham, England, made unforgettable memories as they participated in the Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket Finals Day at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. Despite not bringing home the trophy, the school revelled in the experience, which marked their first year playing the sport. Teacher Richard Gill explained that the pupils were thrilled to be part of the event and showcased outstanding individual and team performances.

Key Takeaways:

  • The High School, Leckhampton, battled through regional rounds to compete against 11 other schools at the Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket Finals Day.
  • The school, having only started playing table cricket this academic year, has already seen the sport take off amongst pupils, with several being "hooked for life" and having never played it before.
  • Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game for young people with learning and physical disabilities, played on a table tennis table with specific scoring zones.
  • The Lord's Taverners' National Finals Day was part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket, featuring all formats of the sport.
  • The event was closed by the first-ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, part of the seven-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India.
  • The Lord's Taverners' work in cricket for young people with disabilities is supported by funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery and awarded by the Postcode Active Trust, in addition to support from the ECB and Sport England.
  • Teacher Richard Gill noted that the participants' confidence has grown massively, they have met new people, and they are proud and happy to talk about their experiences with table cricket.
  • Lord's Taverners President David Gower praised the competitiveness, keenness, and camaraderie observed in the players, adding that the atmosphere was "vibrant and just fantastic."

Statistics:

  • The High School, Leckhampton, competed against 11 other schools at the Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket Finals Day.
  • Table cricket has seen the sport take off amongst pupils, with several being "hooked for life" and having never played it before.
  • 7-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India was underway, with the first-ever international disability cricket fixture being held on the main ground at Lord's.

Sources:

  • "Cheltenham school battle through regional rounds to make it to Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket Finals Day."
  • Lord's Taverners work in cricket for young people with disabilities is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery and awarded by the Postcode Active Trust, in addition to support from the ECB and Sport England.
  • "People's Postcode Lottery players have raised over £700 million for good causes across Great Britain and the Channel Islands."