Applications for the scheme are now open . . . .
Cricket is a game that unites communities and improves lives. The ECB want every individual and community to be united by the feeling that cricket is a game for them. The Disability Cricket Champion Clubs programme will support cricket clubs to create or develop playing opportunities for disabled people. Champion Clubs will be supported to welcome individuals with different needs and varying abilities to become valued members of their club – celebrating that the game of cricket has something to offer everyone.
Each Champion Club will receive a brand-new kit bag of playing equipment with a range of balls, bats and adaptive equipment, designed to help make the game easy to pick-up and play. Club coaches will be given guidance and support to increase their confidence. Throughout the cricket season they will then be supported to deliver regular sessions and build relationships with their local disability service providers and schools. Links between Champion Clubs and the wider disability pathway within a county will help create a vibrant disability cricket playing offer; with new champion clubs coming on board each year. Finally, at the conclusion of an exciting summer of activity, clubs will receive £500 grant funding to help towards the costs of promotion, development and delivery of their new disability cricket section.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on every sinew of the fabric of our society. With no population impacted greater than disabled people1. For many cricket clubs returning to play will be their greatest challenge in 2021, but we know that there are some who would provide outstanding opportunities for disabled people to return to an active lifestyle. Cricket will be at the forefront of overcoming the inequalities of accessibility to sport, that have only been magnified over the past year. Enabling everyone to say that ‘Cricket is a game for me’.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Disability Cricket Champion Clubs will be forward thinking, vibrant, inclusive and exciting places to be. Whilst there are some generic eligibility criteria to qualify for ECB funding, the key attributes are as follows:
Whether a cricket club aiming to launch a new disability cricket section or a club who have previously supported disabled people to access the game, all will be considered for an application in 2021.