We recently read an article in the Australian Online ProBono Publication which was part of their CHANGEMAKER series. Titled "the Power of Cricket to help People with a Disability", they featured a community hero and 'changemaker' Jason Schmidt who has launched a number of initiatives to get people with disabilities playing cricket.
Schmidt is a community sports coach who has focused his volunteering efforts on helping people with disability to feel included through sport. He established the first cricket programs in Tasmania to include people with disability – the Hurricane Inclusion Cup and the New Town Inclusion Project. He works as a junior development officer at New Town Cricket Club, a participation specialist at Cricket Tasmania and a southern coordinator for the Special Olympics. So basically the guy is amazing.
This got us wondering about the Cricket Inclusion Program in Australia and especially what's available for kids. Cricket is a sport that promotes the development of so many skills. You've got throwing, catching, hitting, hand-eye coordination, running, communication and team work! Add the ability to include children with a disability into a mainstream sport and it seems like the sport to give a go! After all, Cricket Australia's byline is "Cricket a sport for all".
MyCareSpace did a bit of research and here's what we found:
Milo Kids All Abilites Program: MILO IN2CRICKET
Milo sponsor a national all abilities program called MILO IN2CRICKET that funds a program for all children from 5 - 12 year old. This includes children with a disability.
You can user the MILO PLAYFINDER tool here to find a MILO IN2CRICKET club program in your area.
Here are some other resources we found:
NSW
Cricket NSW All Abilities Cricket Program
Deaf Cricket NSW
Lord's Taverners - Disabilities Cricket - Northern NSW
We would love to hear of any recommendations or experience in finding a place to play cricket or any other place.
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