School eyes trophy in national table cricket finals

Cambian Whinfell School is set to compete in the 2024 National Table Cricket Finals Day at the Lord's Cricket Ground, London.

The Cumbria-based school is eager to turn around the disappointment of the previous year's final defeat and emerge triumphant with the trophy.

The Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket competition offers young individuals with learning or physical disabilities a chance to represent their schools and engage in a sport otherwise inaccessible to them.

Table cricket is an adaptation of traditional cricket, played on a table tennis table and is much more accessible to those with physical disabilities, particularly wheelchair users.

This allows these youngsters to get involved in sports, who may otherwise have limited opportunities to participate.

On June 27, the excited young cricketers from Cambian Whinfell School will make their long journey to London to participate in the Finals Day.

Head of education, Michelle Turner, said: "They’re absolutely thrilled to have made it to the final again.

"They made it to the final last year and didn't win so they’re quite determined this year to come back with the trophy.

"They were within touching distance, so they’re absolutely made up to have another shot this year."

The students have worked 'really hard' throughout the year to take part in the competition.

The students will be heading to London (Image: Supplied)

Ms Turner said: "For them to go there and be a part of something that feels really important to them and have some real success in it is really good.

“We couldn’t be any further away from London, and going to a big city can cause anxiety for the boys with new sights and new smells.

“They are so excited to get there.

"Last year, there were some famous cricketers there, so they’re hoping to see some more this year.”

The school is small in size, with just 10 teenage boys.

All 10 students play table cricket, with five of them heading to the Lord's.

Ms Turner said: "The sport means a lot to the kids.

"It’s such an accessible sport.

"This tournament gives them that chance to be part of something really big and really special.

"They celebrate personal successes and team successes which gives them so much confidence.

"As a small school, it’s nice for them to mix with other people and have competition with other schools.

“They are very competitive - that’s teenage boys for you!”

The funds raised by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by the Postcode Active Trust, along with the support from ECB and Sport England, make it possible for Lord's Taverners to run cricketing events for young people with disabilities.

After reaching the finals last year, Cambian Whinfell School received equipment that allows them to play the sport anytime they desire.

Ms Turner said: "Having our own table has made a really big difference.

"We can get it out whenever we want now.

"We have after school clubs and have also added some extra training into our PE lessons.

"We crack the table out whenever we can.”

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