Latest news with #inclusivesport
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cumbrian school students shine at Lord's in table cricket finals
William Howard performed well in the table cricket event at Lord's (Image: imagecomms) By James Reid William Howard School enjoyed an occasion to remember at Lord's at the National Table Cricket Finals Day. The Brampton 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. Advertisement 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," she said. "It's a massive achievement to get here. It is about enjoying it and doing the best you can. 'These children have come along for extra practices after school. It has brought together children from different year groups, all with different needs." The William Howard team came an impressive fourth after reaching the finals at the home of cricket (Image: imagecomms) Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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!' Advertisement '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. It was a memorable day at Lord's for the Cumbrian students (Image: PA) 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. Advertisement '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
CTV News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
‘Let's be loud, let's be proud': Regina's Queen City Pride parade celebrates another year
Queen City Curling League says its proud to contribute to the celebration of Regina's pride community. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) One queer sports organization says it's proud to contribute to the celebration of Regina's pride community. '[We want] to show representation from queer sport and to show people that there's a spot for everyone in sport,' said Nathan Murray, board member of Queen City Curling League. The non-profit group has been providing fun recreational activities for the 2SLGBTQI+ community for three years, and is now participating in the annual Queen City Pride parade. 'It's very important for inclusive sport to ensure that we have a very welcoming, open space that celebrates everyone and welcomes everyone that may not have been comfortable with sports in school in particular,' explained Nathan Markwart. 'Everyone is welcome of all skill levels and we have a great time. We have great team names, we rock out to good music, and we make sport an experience that many did not experience in school.' The parade is one of many events planned for the month by Queen City Pride to celebrate Regina's Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) communities. Expand Autoplay 1 of 12 Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pride parade Regina Over 100 floats attended Regina's Queen City Pride Parade on Saturday, as part of the group's 10 day pride festival. (Damian Smith/CTV News) With over 4,000 people in attendance, co-chair Riviera Bonneau said it's opportunities like these that allow people to be themselves. 'There is an energy that comes when you walk down that middle of the parade and you see everybody decked out in rainbows, hugging and loving,' she shared. 'Everyone is so joyous. It is an incredible feeling to feel like we were part of this. That is absolutely my favorite part to see how many people because a lot of the time queer people feel like they have to be in the shadows, and when you come to an event like this you're like, no. Let's be loud, let's be proud.' Bonneau said the parade is a great reminder of how much Regina's queer community has grown over the years. 'We celebrate the fact that in 1989, the people before us were able to march down Albert Street Bridge and remind people that queer people are here,' she explained, referring to the first pride marches that took place in the city. 'We need our rights, we have rights and freedoms, and we're here to celebrate that they fought for us and we continue to fight everyday.' Being one of the 109 floats in this year's parade, Markwart said the organization is proud to be part of a supportive community. 'Our league and everyone here is about community building. Each and every day, we build community that are inclusive and safe spaces,' Markwart voiced. 'That's why it's important to participate in the parade and to show that pride is ongoing work each and every day, building inclusive and safe spaces for everyone to truly be themselves and celebrate.'
