SEND Schools: Giving young people with learning or physical disabilities the opportunity to play the sport we all love

The GCF works closely with SEN schools and SEN departments in schools and colleges to promote giving young people the chance to play social and/or competitive cricket in a fun and inclusive way

Our intention is to also create links with mainstream schools that have students with disabilities so we are reaching as many people as possible.

Cricket helps young people develop communication, confidence and social skills alongside cricket and fundamental movement skills like co-ordination, balance and many more, in a safe and controlled environment.

Schools Coaching

The GCF’s qualified coaches visit schools as part of Lord Taverner’s schemes, Super 1s and Table Cricket.

Super1s give young people the opportunity to experience regular adapted cricket sessions in school. Weekly coaching sessions are complimented with the opportunities such as, ‘festivals’ or ‘competitions’ for students to test the skills they have learnt at local cricket events, such as Special Olympics. Our aim is to enthuse young people to enjoy cricket and the confidence and support to join their local Super 1s Cricket Hub to continue their journey into social and/or competitive cricket outside of school.

Table cricket is an adapted version of cricket, played on a table tennis table and specially designed to give young people with a disability the chance to play and compete. The programme, accessible to schools, both special schools and SEND departments, and community groups, takes place from September through to February half-term, where qualified cricket coaches deliver weekly sessions at your school or centre. Alongside the coaching sessions, we invite all groups to join us at our County Table Cricket Competitions, which take place annually in January/February and allow students to put their skills to the test against other schools in a friendly and safe environment. Competition winners have the opportunity to progress to the Lord’s Taverner’s Regional and National Table Cricket Finals, with the latter taking place at Lords Cricket Ground, the home of cricket.

Any school that has students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities want to be involved in cricket, please contact Jeanette Tate.

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.