Surrey Cricket Foundation (SCF) ran an employability programme for young cricketers with disabilities over the recent months, where 13 young people from four Lord’s Taverners Super 1’s hubs had the opportunity to acquire valuable interpersonal and transferable skills from the initiative.
Throughout the programme, the young people received expert support to enhance their employability skills as well as opportunities to work in the HR, Hospitality, and Stewarding teams at The Kia Oval.
The programme was organised by Neil Bunting, SCF’s Disability Development Officer, and supported by First Sentier Investors, who sponsor much of the Foundation’s Disability cricket activity.
There were workshops for the young students on CV writing and interview preparation, where they prepared and finessed their CVs before submitting them for review.
In late March, the students were first offered a tour of The Kia Oval, and later, they participated in mock interviews conducted by staff from First Sentier Investors and Surrey County Cricket Club.
The next stage of the programme involved the students undertaking work experience at the Surrey’s game against Middlesex in the LV= Insurance County Championship as well as at the annual Disability Day event in May.
The young people took on roles in either hospitality, stewarding, or coaching, and one student worked with Rupert Dean on ground tours for a day. The participants were delighted to be fully involved in their respective roles, and many of them expressed a desire to work full-time at The Kia Oval.
Now that the young people have been through the various stages of the programme, they will update their CVs.
When asked about her work experience, participant Rosina said “working at The Kia Oval was amazing. I had lots of fun, the other staff were really helpful, friendly and supportive. I would really hope to work there properly full-time.”
Jo, a parent of one of the participants passed on her thanks to those involved “Will loved his work experience today! Thank you so much to you, Surrey CC and the Foundation for helping young people like Will to thrive.”
The success of the programme is attributed to the fantastic support and commitment of everyone involved, including the young people themselves with their parents and carers.
