Some City of Westminster College students recently got through to the finals of the Lord’s Taverners Disability Cricket Championships with two also going on to play for Middlesex County Cricket Disability Squad. The students, who all have learning or physical disabilities, have been training at CWC’s Paddington Green Campus Sports Hall for the last two years, but have progressed quickly in the last six months. 

“The team have gone to qualifying events before, but they’ve never successfully qualified for the competition before,” said Michel Wilson, Participation Coach for Middlesex County Cricket. “So to go from not even qualifying to making it to group stages, then the knock out round and into the final is huge for them. They should be very proud of themselves as they’ve made incredible strides over the last few months.”

The Lord’s Taverners Disability Cricket Championships (LTDCC) is a year-round cricket programme for young people aged 14-25 with a limiting disability. It provides participants with access to regular coaching session and allows them to take part in competitions in local communities across London through partnerships with the County Cricket Boards of Essex, Kent, Middlesex and Surrey. Those who take part develop their physical fitness as well as confidence, motivation, self-esteem and communication skills. 

Two students who have stood out in this year’s competition Michael Cummins and Grace Colverd (pictured) have even been chosen to play for Middlesex County Cricket Disability Squad. There are two squads, D40 who play Hardball cricket in the British Association for Cricketers with Disabilities (BACD) D40 South League and the Super 9 Squad who play incrediball cricket using a softball in the BACD Super 9 League.

“It’s more important for us to get the students involved,” added Michael. “We don’t place much emphasis on the game itself or the score so it’s not too intense and they can relax and enjoy themselves.”