Wiltshire Cricket is delighted to announce that Table Cricket is returning to the county in 2021

Wiltshire Cricket is delighted to announce that Table Cricket is returning to the county after what has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone. Table Cricket will return in January 2021, where Wiltshire Cricket will be delivering in 8 schools, making use of both Physical and Virtual delivery methods to reach a wide range of participants enabling them to get involved in a fantastic programme.

What is Table Cricket?

Table Cricket is an inclusive game designed for those with impairments/disabilities who may find it challenging to take part in other sports. Table Cricket is suitable for everyone no matter their age, skill level or disability due to its ability to be versatile and adapt to everyone’s needs.

Table Cricket is an adapted form of Cricket played on a Table tennis table or any other suitable flat surface. The aim of the game is identical to cricket, in that batters try to score as many runs as possible, whereas bowlers and fielders strive to take wickets and stop runs being scored, all whilst incorporating tactics and strategy either as an individual or within teams.

Why Choose Table Cricket?

Table Cricket gives an opportunity for those who may not otherwise have access to the benefits that sport can provide. The game offers individuals an opportunity to not only develop sporting skills such as hand-eye co-ordination and ball striking, but also facilitates the development of wider transferable and social skills such as leadership, communication and problem-solving, which can all be taken into the classroom or other learning environments.

Who is Responsible for Funding Table Cricket?

The Lords Taverners are responsible for funding the Table Cricket Programme, enabling Wiltshire Cricket and other Cricket Boards to offer high quality sessions and opportunities to a wide range of individuals. The Lords Taverners are also responsible for the funding of the Super 1s Programme, which Wiltshire Cricket is also extremely proud to be a part of (For more information about Super 1s, please head over to our website).

Please check out the Lords Taverners Website: https://www.lordstaverners.org/

As both programmes are completely funded by the Lords Taverners, they are free to school/colleges and participants.

For the 2020-21 Table Cricket Programme, Wiltshire Cricket is extremely proud to be able to deliver to 8 schools/colleges with both physical and virtual delivery:

• Larkrise School (Trowbridge)
• Exeter House Special School (Salisbury)
• St. Nicholas’ School (Chippenham)
• Fairfield Farm College (Westbury)
• Westlea Primary School (Swindon)
• Marlborough St Mary's CEVC Primary School (Marlborough)
• Uplands School (Swindon) - Virtual
• Lavington School (Devizes) – Provisional Agreement

Each school that is involved will receive a high quality, 3-week programme (1 hour per week) and have Table Cricket equipment provided. Each session will be delivered by a qualified coach who has current DBS, First-aid and Safeguarding qualifications, complying to all the COVID-19 and safety guidelines.

Sessions delivered will incorporate a wide variety of different fast-paced mini-games and game-based practises to ensure the development of each participants sporting and transferable skills. Furthermore, these activities can be adapted to meet a wide range of requirements to create an inclusive environment allowing everyone to be involved, have fun and progress.

Opportunities within Table Cricket

Prior to COVID-19 the Table Cricket Programme also presented exciting opportunities for those schools involved in the programme, in particular County Finals Day. County Finals Day is an event where all schools involved in that year’s programme are invited to take part in a day-long festival. During the festival, each school will take part in a series of games in a tournament format, with the winner progressing to the Regional and then National Finals Day.

Finals Days provides a great opportunity for everyone to experience a high-quality sporting environment outside of their school, allowing each participant to test and develop their skills in a more competitive setting. Those involved will also get the opportunity to regularly interact with individuals from different schools, such as other pupils and teachers to develop their social and transferable skills further.

*The above opportunity is something we hope to get back up and running when it is safe to do so.