Logan, 10, is watching as his classmates Christian and Jack play a noisy, informal game of cricket.
“Come and have a go,” says Chris Edwards, captain of England’s learning disability cricket team, when he spots him. “Would you like to bat?”
Cautiously, Logan takes the bat and Edwards helps him adjust his position. Christian launches the ball with an impressive overarm and – to Logan’s apparent surprise and obvious delight – it meets the bat with a satisfying thwack.
Edwards is here at Millwood primary special school in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester as part of charity Chance to Shine’s cricket programme for children with disabilities – which is also supported by NatWest’s “Cricket has no boundaries” campaign. Logan, Christian, Jack and all the other children playing today have autism.
As his shot flies away, Logan sets off across the school yard for his first run. “Keep going!” calls Edwards encouragingly, and the young batsman dashes back up the pitch, cheering as he runs. “I did it!” he shouts, beaming.
Millwood – a school for children with a range of complex medical needs, physical disabilities, learning and communication difficulties – is one of 200 around the country working with the charity’s coaches.
Alongside 20 other Millwood pupils, Logan has been taking part in several cricket training sessions this year with specially trained Chance to Shine coaches. “I was a bit scared at first, but it is good fun,” he says.
Rob Tipping, disability cricket development officer with Lancashire Cricket Board, is one of the coaches working with the pupils. “They are doing really well,” he says. “Cricket is about sportsmanship and respect and it is a lot less competitive than many sports, so it is very inclusive and accessible. We help them work out what they want to do and let them learn at their own pace.”
A variety of free-choice throwing, catching and batting games set up around the yard are developing the children’s fielding and bowling skills.
Jaden, 10, is carefully aiming a ball through a hole in a target. It looks very difficult, but his second shot sails through. “I’ve been practising,” he says proudly. “I hadn’t really played or watched cricket before, but I will do now. I like hitting the ball and getting runs.”
Christian, 11, is now bouncing a ball on to a small trampoline for his friend Cody, 10, to catch. “I think I’m going to be good,” he says happily, as he lines up a tricky shot. “Good catching,” says Tipping as Cody reaches it. “Let’s get to 10 catches.”
Inside the school theatre, another group is enjoying a tabletop version of cricket. “This is a fantastic way of enabling children who have different physical abilities to get involved,” says headteacher Helen Chadwick.
At one end of the table – which has short walls on each side – Brooke, seven, pushes the ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball, down a chute. At the other, Thomas, eight, helped by his teacher, hits it with a small bat.
The ball rolls into the spot marked “6” – carefully steered between the fielders pinned to the boundaries – and Chris Edwards shows the children how to raise both arms to signal a maximum score, to enthusiastic cheers. As each player passes on the bat and ball – with surprisingly little upset for children as young as four – they are clapped.
“It’s really good to see them taking turns and sharing. That can be very challenging and cricket really helps,” says Edwards, explaining the sport’s potential for building social, teamworking and attention skills. “In cricket you can be waiting a long time to bat or bowl, so it teaches those values and it is very sociable.”
Diagnosed with autism aged three, Edwards says cricket has allowed him to identify and achieve his dreams.
“This programme is about getting children to be confident and build their self-esteem. If we can inspire them to keep going, that is brilliant,” he says. “We want to show that cricket is for everyone and breaks down barriers.
“The skills are actually very simple so they really can all have a go. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they realise what they can do is fantastic.”
Declan, five, is jumping up and down with excitement as his turn at batting finally arrives. Grinning, he swings an imaginary bat when asked to choose his favourite part of the day.
For Chadwick, opportunities to develop the children’s communication skills through sport are extremely important.
“They are all helping each other, cheering, waiting, asking questions, telling us about it. I have been so impressed with how much they have achieved because they have been so excited,” she says.
Removing barriers – for all children – is the aim of all the activities she wants her pupils to experience. “We make everything accessible. Getting them to try and enjoy new things is how we build their self-confidence and that is ultimately the thing that really helps them progress.”
As the session draws to an end, some of the children gather to ask Chris Edwards questions. What is your bat made of? What is your highest score? Have you ever had a pet cricket?
As the laughter subsides, nine-year-old Ryan has the last question of the day. “When can we play cricket again?”
NatWest has supported cricket, the game for all, since 1981. NatWest are proud to be the principal partner of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the official partner of Chance to Shine, reflecting the bank’s own values and commitment to fairness and inclusion.
To find out more, visit natwest.com/noboundaries
