How to Start Cricket4All

In your Club/Community

Last night we held a workshop for clubs and members of the community that wanted to learn more about how to start Cricket4All in their club and surrounding area. We thought we would share with you the main points from the evening.

Firstly, it is important to know the terminology. The difference between Table Cricket and Cricket4All.

Table Cricket

This is a version of cricket played on a table tennis table or table of similar size, with a mini bat and ball. Slidable fielders are trying to stop the batter from being successful in scoring runs. The batter scores runs by hitting different scoring zones.

The objective for Cricket Leinster is to develop Table Cricket Programmes in schools and to create a Leinster/Irish squad in 2022 to play against county sides. We work through our Development Officers with the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and Sports Inclusion Development Officers (SIDOs) to develop this. We have a Table Cricket Lending Scheme with supporting competitions and teacher/staff training.

Our Table Cricket Programme has been developed with the partnership and support of Lord’s Taverners Ireland which provides both funding for resources and equipment – we are hugely appreciative of this enduring support which has already contributed hugely to our successful Table Cricket Programme over recent years.

Cricket4All

Generally known as having a combination of Table Cricket and more active cricket sessions like mini games and cricket skills being played.  This helps broaden the appeal to a range of different abilities and keep cricket exciting for all.

Steps to take before starting a Cricket4All Programme in your Club/Community:

• Identify the need in your area
• Identify the age group/types of disabilities that people have in your area
• Check to see if there are any local community groups you could link up with
• Link in with your SIDO in the LSP to get this information or you can use information from a census
• Check your facilities to see if they would be suitable (types of tables/tennis table, wheelchair accessibility)
• If your facilities are not suitable, check the local area to identify a space that might be available e.g., community centre or church hall
• Assess what equipment you will need – table cricket sets can be loaned out to you from Cricket Leinster. Batting tees and soft balls that are different colours are very useful
• Identify any suitable and Garda Vetted helpers in the club (coaches, parents, teenagers etc)
• Upskill the volunteers –
  • Table Cricket Leaders Course from Cricket Leinster
  • Sports Inclusion & Disability Awareness Training from Cara
  • Autism Awareness Training from Cara
• Decide on dates, times (recommend 45mins/1hr sessions), try not to clash with other similar groups evenings e.g. Football4All
• Create a poster with all the information and circulate using SIDO contacts, local schools with ASD units or Special Schools and your social media
• Run taster sessions with other local groups
• Make sure you collect all the information from the participants that you need – written and recommend a phonecall with the parent/guardian/carer
• Organise your session format – half Table Cricket, half cricket skills

Remember: Lets Focus on What People CAN DO and not What People CAN’T DO