PUPILS from The Clare School 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 Norwich-based school's side were one of 10 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.

Teacher Steven Self, 55, said: “It’s a real levelling sport. We’ve got some players who are wheelchair users and some not. They all really enjoy it. 

“The children were over the moon when they found out they were coming here after winning the regional finals in Newmarket. 

“They were cheering and crying, but I will say all the teams were very sporting, shaking hands after games, fist bumps, elbows. 

“The kids have learned leadership skills and self-confidence. It’s all down to them. The adults aren’t allowed to influence the game at all. 

“Special educational needs schools were hit quite hard over lockdown. They couldn’t wait to play sports when they got back. They just love it.” 

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.

Pupil Jack French-Riches admitted that his parents were very happy for him.  

He said: "I’m very excited to come here. I think my parents were more excited than me. They were very happy for me when we won the finals. 

“I enjoy having fun and doing my best. I’ve learned how to make new friends playing Table Cricket.” 

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