What’s happening in 2023

Walton on Thames ‘Cricket in the Community’ are running two inclusive programmes in 2023. Both events are free for schools to enter and organised by Walton on Thames Cricket Club volunteers.

Inclusive cricket activity programme for SEND children years 3-6

The sessions are open to all local primary schools who would like to increase the opportunity of sports activity to their SEND group of children. Our first two sessions in January and February each saw 35 children from Ashley, Cleves & Walton Oak experiencing new fun activities expertly led by a qualified team of Surrey coaches. The feedback from children, staff and parents has been brilliant and we are keen that more children from other local schools have the chance to enjoy this rewarding experience.

If your child or school would like to join in please get in touch with Graham Mann (07429 440917) or grahamvmann@aol.com 

Dates: Mon 24th April, 15th May, 12th June, 3rd and 10th July (Back up)

Time: 15.30 – 17.00

Background

​Walton on Thames ‘Cricket in the Community’ began in 2015 when six local primary schools were invited to participate in a cleverly designed inclusive softball league format whereby each team of eight players is comprised of four boys and four girls. In every game each player gets to bat and bowl, boys against boys and girls against girls. Each school played the other five schools in a round robin with the top two teams playing in the final for the ‘Elmbridge Schools Softball Cricket Cup’.

Since then more and more schools have been keen to join and the competition has grown every year. In 2019 twelve local school teams (Ashley, Bell Farm, Burhill, Claygate, Cleves, Cobham FS, Esher Church, Notre Dame, St Anne’s, Thames Ditton and St James) played a total of 42 matches across four afternoons in April, May, June and July giving 60 girls and 60 boys the opportunity to play team cricket. Some for the first time!

Inclusive Cricket Activities for SEND children & anyone with disabilities

Inclusive cricket at Walton on Thames CC aimed at anyone with disabilities began in Sept 2017 when a group of 30 young adults from Elmbridge Community Link (ECL) attended a taster session at the cricket club. Using specially designed coaching equipment, fun games and music it was quickly evident that this group discovered a new activity they could enjoy together whilst improving their own development. Such was the success, a programme of cricket activities every six weeks was put in place throughout the year which continued until Covid.

In 2019 we extended our programme to the wider disability community with take-up from several local adult groups, a specialist disability school and a local mainstream school. Before Covid hit we were successfully offering cricket based activities to 50 adults and 30 children with a wide range of educational needs or disabilities.