Latest news with #Croucher
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
William Howard School finish top four at National Table Cricket finals
The Brampton-based school battled through three regional rounds to earn a trip to London, with pupils and staff setting off the day before their big event at the Home of Cricket. They progressed past the group stage to earn a fourth-place finish out of the 12 teams in action, and teacher Tracey Croucher was thrilled with a memorable day for her students. 'We have been doing it for about ten years, this is our fourth time coming to Lord's. It's a massive achievement to get here, it is about enjoying it and doing the best you can,' she said. 'These children have come along for extra practices after school. It has brought together children from different year groups, all with different needs.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. The sport provides opportunities for participants to benefit from all that sport can offer, something Croucher has seen first-hand. 'It means a lot to them,' she added. 'They relax when they come to practice, they get a feeling of achievement and success that they might not get elsewhere in sport. 'We've seen a massive difference in confidence. To be able to come here for them is amazing.' Pupils also met cricketing legends David Gower and Mike Gatting and were presented with their medals by current England bowler Reece Topley. It made the journey down from Cumbria all the more worth it, with many pupils visiting London for the first time. 'It was a very long journey,' said Croucher. 'We came down yesterday and got to London about three o'clock and went to Hyde Park. We had a lovely walk and a paddle. It was really nice to have everyone together as a team. 'When they found out they had qualified for the final, they were just over the moon and shouting 'We're going to London!' 'For quite a few of them, it's their first time in London so they were spotting the red buses, the black cabs and taking loads of photos.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Gower, who serves as president of the Lord's Taverners. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' 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
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
William Howard School finish top four at National Table Cricket finals
The Brampton-based school battled through three regional rounds to earn a trip to London, with pupils and staff setting off the day before their big event at the Home of Cricket. They progressed past the group stage to earn a fourth-place finish out of the 12 teams in action, and teacher Tracey Croucher was thrilled with a memorable day for her students. 'We have been doing it for about ten years, this is our fourth time coming to Lord's. It's a massive achievement to get here, it is about enjoying it and doing the best you can,' she said. 'These children have come along for extra practices after school. It has brought together children from different year groups, all with different needs.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. The sport provides opportunities for participants to benefit from all that sport can offer, something Croucher has seen first-hand. 'It means a lot to them,' she added. 'They relax when they come to practice, they get a feeling of achievement and success that they might not get elsewhere in sport. 'We've seen a massive difference in confidence. To be able to come here for them is amazing.' Pupils also met cricketing legends David Gower and Mike Gatting and were presented with their medals by current England bowler Reece Topley. It made the journey down from Cumbria all the more worth it, with many pupils visiting London for the first time. 'It was a very long journey,' said Croucher. 'We came down yesterday and got to London about three o'clock and went to Hyde Park. We had a lovely walk and a paddle. It was really nice to have everyone together as a team. 'When they found out they had qualified for the final, they were just over the moon and shouting 'We're going to London!' 'For quite a few of them, it's their first time in London so they were spotting the red buses, the black cabs and taking loads of photos.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven-match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Gower, who serves as president of the Lord's Taverners. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' 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
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Recruiting Rumor Mill: Top prospects beginning to cut down lists
A ton of information and news came out this week so another Recruiting Rumor Mill was needed this week. Here's the latest from Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney. MORE RECRUITING RUMOR MILLS: Midwest | Southeast | Miami RCS | National (Monday) ROUNDTABLE: Who should be the next five-star in the Rivals250? WHICH METRO AREA PRODUCES THE BEST HS FOOTBALL TALENT? YOU DECIDE CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker An in-state battle does not seem to be brewing here. A recent trip to Auburn really stood out for the four-star defensive back from Brandon, Miss., as he felt love on the visit he never felt before from any other coaching staff. Advertisement The Tigers are definitely among a handful of other favorites as Florida, Florida State and Colorado were also high on his list. Notre Dame is moving up very quickly for the four-star running back from Valencia, Calif., but the Irish are not yet the leader as Washington, Michigan and Nebraska are also battling it out for his commitment. Auburn continues to look very strong in Burgess' recruitment after another visit there as the Loganville (Ga.) Grayson high three-star quarterback loves how position coach Kent Austin works with the quarterbacks. Austin's 'proven track record' and how the QBs respond to him definitely put Auburn at the top of his list with North Carolina and Wisconsin as the others to watch. Texas has been considered a major front-runner in Carlton's recruitment with LSU also high on the list but after visiting USC over the weekend, the word is the Trojans, Texas A&M and Baylor have really caught his attention the most. Advertisement Texas and LSU might still be tough to beat but Carton's visit to USC was one of the best visits he's ever been on. Nebraska blew Croucher away as one of the best visits he's ever been on as he loved the coaching staff and the facilities and was told by the Huskers coaches that the next step is on him and his decision. There could be some juggling here as Nebraska is also heavily after 2027 four-star QB Trae Taylor and Croucher is also really interested in Michigan and others. But Nebraska seems to be in a strong spot here. When running backs coach Tashard Choice left Texas for the NFL, Crowell canceled his visit to Austin only to put it back on his schedule. The Jackson, Ala., standout who has Alabama high on his list along with Florida, Georgia and others, is happy he got to visit Texas because he saw first-hand how much of a connection new position coach Chad Scott has with his players. Crowell feels like a top priority with the Longhorns once again. Michigan is 'for sure' the top program on Dabney's list following his recent visit to Ann Arbor. The three-star athlete from Richmond (Va.) Huguenot loved the weight room, the nutrition plan and 'loved it all' as the message from the coaching staff was that he could commit whenever he was ready. Considering his brother Cooper is one of the best players in program history, Iowa could be nearly impossible to beat here but the Odebolt (Iowa) OABCIG standout visited Michigan recently and loved it. Being recruited mainly to play tight end down the road, Dejean loved seeing the energy from the players and the coaches in Ann Arbor and talked with coach Steve Casula about how he'd be utilized there. Advertisement But, still, Iowa looms large. Texas and Texas A&M are the two programs hitting up Edwards on a daily basis as those two have moved ahead in his recruitment. While the Longhorns could be the team to beat, the Aggies are making this more than interesting. The four-star from Carthage, Texas, was back in College Station recently and the love shown to him and his family is unmatched. That goes a long way plus the A&M coaches are telling him he's a game-changer who's needed to take over on Saturdays. A lot of other visits are coming up for the 2027 four-star linebacker but right now Texas, USC and UCLA are making the biggest impression on the Tustin, Calif., standout. Advertisement It might be really tough to pull him away from Southern California but Texas thoroughly impressed him on a recent visit since it gave him a 'huge welcome' walking in the door and clearly laid out how it'd help him develop in the offense. The former North Carolina commit was recently at Georgia and had a 'great' time there as the coaches have a plan for him and made it clear how badly they want him in this recruiting class. The Bulldogs are definitely a major contender with Notre Dame, Oregon and still the Tar Heels, especially with coach Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill now. BYU, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oregon and Utah are the finalists for the four-star tight end from St. George (Utah) Pine View, who's planning to commit on Monday. A recent visit back to Michigan set the bar 'so high' as the coaching staff told him he could be in the same category as Colston Loveland and he thinks new QB Bryce Underwood is the 'real deal.' Advertisement But BYU might have the biggest edge heading into his decision although no final choice has been made yet. Penn State and Maryland are the front-runners right now for the 2027 four-star offensive tackle from Coatesville, Pa., but Ohio State is making a major push. Also, he's just coming off visits to Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The Bulldogs have moved up a lot in his recruitment after being in Athens but the Nittany Lions do have an edge right now for the in-state standout. A battle between Texas and Texas A&M is brewing for the 2027 four-star offensive tackle from Tyler (Texas) Legacy and the Longhorns could have the early edge after a great visit to Austin over the weekend. Advertisement Johnson 'felt like home' being at Texas but both teams are definitely impressing him at this point in his recruitment. A battle between Alabama (the presumed leader) and Auburn had been expected for the five-star edge from Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's but now the word is that Jones is 'a little wide open' and building new relationships with more coaches and programs. Instead of narrowing things down, Jones might be opening up a little more especially after a great visit to Texas A&M where he loved the players and the staff and their message that he was not only wanted but needed in this class. The high four-star cornerback from Cornelius (N.C.) Hough made waves Wednesday when he popped up back at North Carolina and met with coach Bill Belichick but the word is that his four favorites remain and there are no changes yet to his top list. Advertisement This should still come down to Florida State, Texas, South Carolina and Clemson but Matthews could revisit the Tar Heels if things change. Florida State had the early lead for the 2027 four-star running back from Montezuma (Ga.) Macon County but the Seminoles have fallen off a little bit as Tennessee is now the team to beat in his recruitment. Parker, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in his sophomore season, will be in Knoxville this weekend giving Tennessee a chance to extend its lead. Texas A&M has emerged as the leader for the high three-star defensive lineman from Locust Grove, Ga., especially after his recent visit where he not only felt like 'home' but truly felt like he belonged there. Advertisement The Aggies have taken the lead – and it might be an insurmountable one – but visits to Miami and Penn State are coming up and those might change his mind. Tennessee, Ohio State, Indiana, Kentucky and others have been heavily involved with the 2027 four-star receiver from Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North but Michigan is the team to beat in his recruitment. Sales has now taken two visits to Ann Arbor as the staff showed him 'so much love' as now Michigan is the early team to beat for his commitment. Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon, Oklahoma and Baylor are the five programs to watch for the 2027 high four-star safety from Waxahachie, Texas. Advertisement The Longhorns definitely made a move right to the top of his list after a great visit to Austin. Snell loved the energy around the program. He felt like a priority there and he loves how the Texas coaches develop players in the secondary. Others cannot be counted out but Texas looks strong. There has been some talk that Oregon has taken the lead in Washington's recruitment and after a great visit to Eugene recently the Ducks are definitely right there. But Alabama is also in his top two while USC and others could make a move. In the end, this could be a battle between Oregon and Alabama for the Las Vegas Bishop Gorman four-star safety and the Crimson Tide aren't giving up.
USA Today
01-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Huskers offer rising class of 2027 quarterback
Huskers offer rising class of 2027 quarterback Nebraska football extended an offer to class of 2027 quarterback Keegan Croucher over the weekend. He made the announcement on social media. According to the 247Sports Rankings, Croucher is the 48th-ranked recruit nationally and the sixth-ranked quarterback in the 2027 class. He has had a storied football career to this point. During the fall of 2023, he threw for 2,957 yards, 31 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He then transferred to Cheshire Academy in April 2024. The quarterback has offers from the likes of Indiana, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Minnesota, and Michigan. Most recently, he was offered by Michigan State on March 19, prior to being offered by Nebraska. Currently, the 2027 Nebraska football recruiting class has no commitments in it. However, there are currently four quarterbacks on the roster for the Huskers. The program is also doing its homework on signal-caller Trae Taylor. They seem to want to make quarterback a priority position in the class and are doing their homework. Croucher could be a difficult quarterback to land, given that so many teams have an interest. It will be interesting to see where the Huskers fall with this recruitment.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Spartans extend offer to elite 2027 QB prospect
Spartans extend offer to elite 2027 QB prospect Keegan Croucher of Cheshire, Conn. announced earlier this week that he's received an offer from Michigan State Michigan State football has extended an offer to an elite quarterback prospect in the 2027 class. Keegan Croucher of Cheshire, Conn. announced on Wednesday that he's received an offer from Michigan State. Croucher posted on his social media network to announce the offer from the Spartans. Croucher ranks as the No. 6 quarterback in 247Sports' rankings for the 2027 class. He is also listed as the No. 1 player from Connecticut and No. 48 overall prospect. Croucher is listed as a four-star prospect and holds a composite rating of 95 on 247Sports. Croucher plays for Cheshire Academy, and is listed at 6-foot-3.5 and 185 pounds. According to Greg Biggins of 247Sports, Croucher also plays basketball and baseball, and is considered a "legitimate" baseball prospect as well. Michigan State is one of nearly 10 programs to extend Croucher an offer at this time, according to 247Sports. He also holds offers from Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Syracuse and UMass. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
