PUPILS from Abingdon & Witney College had a day to remember last week as they travelled to London to take part in the Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket Finals and met England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes writes Alec McQuarrie.

The Abingdon-based school's side were one of ten to compete at Lord's Cricket Ground, for the right to call themselves national champions.

The Lord’s Taverners exists to positively impact the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality.

The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities to develop the knowledge, skills, capabilities and confidence required to overcome the challenges of inequality, raise their aspirations and reach their potential.

Course leader for the pathways course, James Atkins, 34, believes that playing table cricket has helped boost his students' confidence.

He said: "In terms of their confidence and communication skills, the impact of table cricket has been massive. 

"Today, they have been there, talking to each other, communicating with each other while also having a strategic game plan on how to play and how to win. 

"And when they first started with us, a lot of them did not talk to one another, or they were really anxious, and this has just helped with that, with it being a team sport."

Over 100 schools and 1,000 young people with disabilities took part in the county and regional qualifiers to book their place for Finals Day of the competition, now into its 22nd year, which is made possible thanks to the support of Ford, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the England & Wales Cricket Board.

An adapted form of cricket played on table tennis table, table cricket takes all the aspects of mainstream cricket, providing a more inclusive and accessible form which allows young people with a wide range of disabilities to participate, meet new friends and have fun.

The game not only promotes teamwork and sportsmanship in an enjoyable environment, it also improves life skills such as self-confidence, independence and social integration.

Student Kaya Bennett, 20, added that she liked how her team stuck together, even against tough opposition. 

She said: "I enjoy playing and having loads of fun and playing with my friends who are also my teammates.

"We are actually like a proper team like if we are not doing that well we just say well done and try again next time. 

"I've been speaking to some of the other teams just to say well done, and I hope they had a good time. 

"It was quite scary when I saw everyone here, but then I got used to everything."

Watching on at Lord's was England wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, as well as Sussex and Southern Vipers captain Georgia Adams. 

And Foakes was delighted to see the sport bringing so many people together.

"I think, especially after what's been going on with COVID-19, this is just a great opportunity to get together,” said Foakes, speaking at the Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket Finals where he watched nearly 70 young people with disabilities from 10 schools across the country represent their schools compete for the title of the National Table Cricket Champion 2022.

"I think some of these guys were probably hit the hardest in that isolation and in that lockdown period. 

"So, I just think it's great, everyone being able to get out and enjoy it and enjoying that team aspect of sport that cricket provides. 

"It's been fantastic to see it, and I think it looks like it's going from strength to strength. 

"It's just been awesome."

The Lord’s Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit www.lordstaverners.org