Pupils from Woodlands High School were part of the Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket Finals in London.
Woodlands High’s team of players with teacher Nathan Griffith-Williams (far right)(Image: Simon Williams)
Pupils from Woodlands High 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.
The Cardiff-based school’s side were one of 11 to compete in the Nursery Pavilion, at Lord’s Cricket Ground, for the right to call themselves national champions.
Teacher Nathan Griffith-Williams, 51, was beyond proud of his students for reaching the showpiece event for the second successive year.
“It’s amazing to be here at Lord’s,” he said. “We were lucky enough to be here last year as well, so a lot of these guys are coming back for a second time. The students have learnt so much. The accessibility of the game, the camaraderie, working together, being a team, it’s just gone through the roof. We’re now having regular table cricket sessions, so it’s really taken off.”
Table cricket is a fully inclusive and adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp and played on a table tennis table.
Table cricket provides an incredible opportunity for these young people to make new friends and develop life skills such as confidence and independence, while also helping them understand the importance of leadership and teamwork in competitive environments.
Student Callum Laver, 19, was delighted to play on the big stage and had the time of his life on the tables.
He said: “It’s a privilege to be here again. I came last year for this, and it feels good to be back. This is my last year in school so I’m just here enjoying it. Table cricket has given me experience and skills I didn’t have before. It’s helped me build confidence around other people and in different places.”
Lord’s Taverners president and former England captain David Gower attended the Home of Cricket and said: “The opportunity the students get to play a version of the game here at Lord’s is fantastic. It’s brilliant to see the spirit in which the games have been played. The Lord’s Taverners do such great work and I’m proud to be able to be a part of it.”
Much of the Lord’s Taverners work in cricket for young people with a disability is made possible thanks to funds raised by Postcode Lottery players and awarded by the Postcode Active Trust, in addition to support from the ECB and Sport England.
Lord’s Taverners provides free, inclusive, and impactful cricket programmes across the UK empowering young people living with a disability or facing socio-economic disadvantage, to overcome the challenges of inequality and unlock their potential – visit www.lordstaverners.org
