EXCITING NEW VENTURE IN TABLE CRICKET - PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Last week saw the first ever inter-school Primary School Competition in Leinster for Table Cricket. We were extremely proud to get this off the ground as it was due to happen back in March 2020 when Covid hit.

For those that don’t know what table cricket is, it’s an adapted version of cricket, played on a table tennis table (or similar size table) and specially designed to give young people with a disability the chance to play and compete in the sport we all love. There are different scoring zones around the table and, just like in regular cricket, fielders have to be carefully positioned to prevent runs or to get the batter out. Teams of six take it in turn to bowl or bat, with the bowler using a ramp to deliver the ball (either a regular ball that runs true or a weighted one that swings around). The batter scores by hitting the ball into the scoring zones, avoiding the fielders if they can.

Well done to Esker ETNS, Lucan East ETNS and St. Kevin’s Boys NS (Kilnamanagh) for participating. The schools all had table cricket sessions in the run up to the competition and we leant out our Table Cricket sets to the schools so they could train themselves in their own time. The sets have been provided to us by Lord’s Taverners Ireland (LTI) and all of the sessions were supported by LTI and South Dublin County Council. As was the competition day. We provided the schools with support material as well: session plans that were created by Lord’s Taverners UK.

Each team of 6 played against each other in a 6 over match. Each player bats for one over and bowls for 1 over, taking turns so that all players get a turn. Table cricket promotes teamwork skills, helps students with their social cues, turn taking, numeracy and literacy skills as well as their coordination and fine motor skills. The kids all learnt the umpire signals for the scores and during the school sessions in the lead up some of the students took turns scoring.

While the competition day was about participation, we of course had to have a winning team! St Kevin's BNS, Kilnamanagh came out on top after winning both of their matches. Congratulations to them and we look forward to presenting the cup to the team in front of the whole school!

Thanks to Lords Taverner’s Ireland (LTI) for providing some lovely new bags for our Table Cricket sets. Massive thank you to LTI and Ed Sports for doing such a lovely job with them. You can also see the lovely branded t-shirts as well. Great to have branded kit to raise awareness of the charity.

See more about Table Cricket here on our YouTube Channel:

New fundraiser for LTI (our charity partners)

Six Ireland International players have pledged to hit as many runs as they can in support of Lord’s Taverners Ireland & Runs for Change.

First two here:

Gaby Lewis: http://goalgiving.com/campaign/gabys-runs-for-change

Leah Paul: https://goalgiving.com/campaign/leahs-runs-for-change

Please support this great initiative if you can!