Hampshire Cricket Board has one of the most advanced disability cricket programs in the country. The Disability Cricket Program provides training and competitive opportunities for people of all ages with a variety of learning, emotional and physical disabilities. The HCB also supports the Hampshire Visually Impaired Cricket Club to provide opportunities for the blind and partially sighted.

The HCB owes a debt of gratitude to disability cricket pioneer and current Board Chairman, Jeff Levick, who set up the program in 1998 and coordinated its delivery for the following 10 years. Since its inception Hampshire’s Disability Cricket Program has grown to unrivalled levels and in November 2007 the HCB appointed Greig Stewart (Disability CDO) to manage the future development of disability cricket in Hampshire.

The county's performance squads had two of their most successful seasons ever in 2008 and 2009 with the Hardball Squad finishing as BACD County Championship Runners-Up in 2008 and reaching the competition's semi-final stages in 2009. HCB is committed to continuing the development of elite opportunities for cricketers with disabilities and we are hoping for a good showing in 2010.

Disability Cricket continues to thrive in the county, there are currently over 1000 disabled participants in Hampshire playing at school, in clubs and representing the county in national competitions. The overriding success of this program has been highlighted by the inclusion of no less than four of Hampshire’s Learning Disabilities players in the England Squad.

In future priorities are based around providing sustainable opportunities outside of the school environment. This will centre on supporting clubs and coaches to provide inclusive opportunities within training sessions as well as continuing to develop disability cricket sections attached to mainstream clubs. The recruitment of volunteers and coaches is vital in ensuring the future of disability cricket in Hampshire.

Disability Cricket in Hampshire has received financial support from a wide variety of sources including individuals, charities and private companies. Without these donations the program would never have been able to grow to such an extent. Particular thanks go to Sport England, 3C Environmental Technology, AQS Homecare, Richard Kirkman Trust, Richard Overall Trust and the Hampshire Cricket Members.

For more information on Disability Cricket in Hampshire please contact:

Greig Stewart (Disability CDO)
07920 452537
greig.stewart@rosebowlplc.com