All-abilities cricket swings into action; Mounties seeking newcomers

MOUNT Clear Cricket Club (MCCC) is looking for new players for its all-abilities program.

The fourth instalment of the program swung into action last weekend and will continue each Sunday until 10 December.

Judging by the smiles all round and high level of high fives, it was clear participants had missed their cricket and social catch-ups.

A fun-filled hour of cricket activities – and plenty of giveaways – aims to build participants’ skills, including batting, bowling, catching and fielding.

Steve Young said the all-abilities initiative was a source of pride for the Mounties and accordingly he and fellow junior coordinator Aaron Burfurd were keen to expand the program.

“It has been quite popular to date, so we want to maintain that momentum and hopefully get more kids and families come along and enjoy some cricket,” he said.

“We’d like to cast the net a bit and get new and additional families involved.

“We are certain the demand is there; there are a lot of families out there looking for sporting activities for their kids.

“We work in conjunction with the (all-abilities) program up at North Ballarat, which plays in a cricket competition in Melbourne.

“We are also working closely with the Ballarat Special Olympics.

“It’s a program we love to run and it’s exciting to see more kids being introduced to cricket.”

While the program has a strong junior and youth focus, Young emphasised it was open to people of all ages.

“You can be five years old, or you can be 95 years old; there’s no barrier,” Young said.

“If you have a disability and you would like to be part of the program, we are rapt to have you

“One of the kids right now is in Year 11 and a few who came through from the start would be university age now, and we go all the way down to five and six-year-olds.

“They often bring their siblings, who don’t have a disability as such, and they join in. It makes the whole thing very inclusive.”

All-abilities cricket aims to provide physical, mental, and social benefits for individuals with disabilities, including improved physical fitness, coordination and strength, as well as increased self-confidence, self-esteem, independence, teamwork and communication.

“While the program is all centred around cricket skills, there are other attractions like communication and social skills,” Young said.

“We have our dog, Sally, who is a very gentle labrador and comes along, and if the participants want to sit down and have a five-minute break, they can sit down with her and pat her.”

Future plans for the program include a potential collaboration with the Victorian Blind Cricket Association early next year.

MCCC has established itself as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion in the Ballarat sporting landscape, including being one of the first clubs to introduce women’s and girls’ teams.

The all-abilities program runs each Sunday from 10am to 11pm until 14 December at the club on Olympic Avenue.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable runners and clothes for activities and to bring a hat and water bottle. Facilities include all-access clubrooms, adjacent parking and flat surfaces for all-access activities. Registration is $99.

For more details contact Steve Young on 0439 658 219 or [email protected].