ECB Disability Champion Clubs

Creating a fun and welcoming playing environment for disabled people.
To express interest in becoming a Disability Champion Club, Supporting Disability Club or Inclusive Cricket Club click here to access a form

Applications to become a Disability Champion Club in 2022 are now open.

The Disability Cricket Champion Club Programme will support cricket clubs through guidance, resource and equipment, enabling them to welcome individuals with additional needs and varying abilities to support them to play, follow, officiate and volunteer.  Creating a truly equitable club game and providing fantastic new opportunities for cricketers and for the Champion Clubs.

Here in Gloucestershire, we would like every cricket club to actively promote inclusive cricket opportunities for disabled people across the County. We are aware that delivering additional cricket sessions for some clubs may not be possible straightaway, so we have divided our Champion Club offer into three levels. Our hope is that all clubs will become Supporting Disability Cricket Clubs, Inclusive Cricket Clubs leading to Disability Champion Cricket Clubs, which will allow more clubs to engage with the programme by promoting cricketing opportunities for disabled people. It is a fantastic way of raising awareness about how to get involved and ensure that everyone has the chance to enjoy the game we all love.

Active Alliance research shows that people with a disability want to increase activity levels but struggle to find appropriate opportunities. Coaches in clubs are finding it challenging to deliver inclusive sessions, due to low confidence. Added to which the range of players involved in club cricket with additional needs is increasing, as shown by data from national programmes.

Here at Gloucestershire, we would like everyone to be able to access appropriate cricket offers within clubs, or our community offers.

Disability Champion Cricket Club

  • Provide inclusive sessions All Stars or Dynamos
  • Provide inclusive adult or youth sessions, Table Cricket or Softball
  • Support Super1s or County Disability teams by hosting sessions and providing coaching support
  • Promote other inclusive cricket opportunities

Supporting Disability Cricket Club

  • Promoting disability/inclusive cricket opportunities, details will be sent to the club
  • Hosting Disability Cricket matches where possible
  • Attend a Disability Awareness course

Inclusive Cricket Club

  • Attend Disability Inclusion Training

Grant Funding

Clubs will be able to apply for up to £500 in their first year, to:

  • deploy experienced coaches*
  • purchase more adapted equipment
  • help to promote inclusive cricket sessions

*A club coach must assist a paid coach to build future sustainability of the programme.

Play Cricket (SVG)

Equipment

Adapted and easy to use equipment can play a crucial role in enabling coaches to ensure that everyone is involved and able to enjoy the game.

Every centre that registers and goes on to be selected to be a Disability Cricket Champion Club will receive a free pack, including:

  • 1 x ECB kit bag
  • 4 x bats
  • 4 x sets of stumps
  • 10 x plastic balls
  • 15 x tennis balls
  • 2 x large tennis balls
  • 3 x large tennis ball with ball-bearings (audible)
  • 4 x batting tees
  • 24 x cones
  • 12 x PVC Line markers
  • 2 x 10m ropes

Apply now

Clubs express an interest in becoming a Disability Champion Cricket Club, a Supporting Disability Cricket Club, or an Inclusive Cricket Club by completing this short form.

Once complete, Jeanette will be in touch with more information.

Jeanette Tate / Disability Development Officer

Jeanette Tate / Disability Development Officer

Funded by the Lord’s Taverners, Jeanette’s role is to grow and sustain the offer for young people with a disability to engage in cricket by developing the community based Super 1s Programme. She is working to set up Super 1s and Table Cricket Hubs across the county which aim to provide accessible opportunities to play whilst also using cricket as a tool to develop key life skills. Jeanette also organises competitions, festivals, and social events to further participant development.

You’ll find Jeanette working in schools across the County to provide a sustainable pathway from school to community hubs and providing support to cricket clubs to ensure a welcoming environment for those with disabilities.  Jeanette leads the ECB Disability Champion Club Programme which is designed to make clubs more inclusive and provide a club-based playing offer for people with disabilities.

Furthermore, Jeanette chairs the Disability Development Group and supports and development the County Disability Cricket Programme.

Jeanette is passionate about her work as every day someone achieves something which she finds rewarding as young people develop friendships, communication and independence overcoming the challenges they have through cricket.