Surrey Cricket Foundation’s (SCF) annual Disability Day took place on Monday (9 May) with over 400 children and adults coming down to The Kia Oval to take part in a day of activities.
Those attending took part in different accessible activities including cricket skills and drills on the hallowed turf of The Kia Oval, an adapted All Stars Cricket session for young people with a visual impairment and a range of other sports including skateboarding, athletics and football.
The Disability Day, supported by First Sentier Investors – who also sponsor SCF’s year-round disability programme – welcomed those with different disabilities including learning and physical difficulties as well as those with hearing and visual impairments, from schools and community groups across the county.
Surrey Cricket Foundation work in both mainstream and SEN schools to give those with disabilities the opportunity to play cricket. There are nine Lord’s Taverners Super 1s Hubs in the county, providing young people with disabilities the chance to play in a competitive environment. In 2021, the foundation worked with around 1,000 young people across their disability programmes.
Neil Bunting, Disability Development Officer at Surrey Cricket Foundation, said “This has been a great way to welcome so many people to The Kia Oval. We know that cricket can be an incredibly inclusive sport and to see how much everyone enjoyed the activities has been brilliant. Throughout the year, we work with community groups and in schools to support those with disabilities to take part in cricket and it’s been a very special day to have so many come down to the Oval today.”
Feedback from those that attended included:
“What a great day for all the young people who attended. I know my little lot had fun – I’m returning a happy, exhausted, beautifully painted group back to school. Will look out for it again next year!”
“Just wanted to say a big thank you to all who organised yesterday’s activities at the Oval. Our group really enjoyed the day, I think we were the last to leave! We would definitely be interested in attending again.”
Find out more about the disability programmes run by the Surrey Cricket Foundation here.
