Inclusion championships to break new ground

AN expanded National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) will be held in Ballarat from 10 to 15 January next year.

The six-day premier tournament for cricketers with a disability will feature six divisions and will make history by including a brand-new physical disability division.

The blind and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, and intellectual disability categories will return.

The championships provide an opportunity for cricketers of all abilities to compete on the national stage, providing a high-performance pathway for athletes.

Standout performers will have the opportunity to represent Australia internationally.

More than 350 players are expected to take part in 68 matches at venues across Ballarat.

January’s tournament will also feature the first official mixed disability cricket exhibition match to be held in Australia, following the format’s introduction at international level last year in a series between England and India.

Further new ground will be broken with the 2027 event featuring night matches under lights for the first time in tournament history.

The championships will be supported by the City of Ballarat, and the state government through its significant sporting events program, and backed by event partner Westpac and long-time NCIC supporters Taverners Australia.

Cricket Australia head of scheduling, operations and domestic cricket Peter Roach was quick to thank Ballarat and the state government for their support of the 2027 event.

“The NCIC are a fantastic opportunity for cricketers with a disability to represent their states and territories at the top level in Australia,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to taking the championships to Ballarat, where we will play on some terrific venues, including a first for the NCIC playing some matches under lights.”

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the council was proud to support the championships.

“The championships are a powerful celebration of inclusivity, aligning with our commitment to champion sport at every level,” she said.

“Hosting the NCIC in Ballarat will help shine a spotlight on inclusive cricket to a regional audience.

“We are proud to host this event and showcase Ballarat as a destination for inclusive sport.”

Tasmania will start as reigning champions in the cricketers with an intellectual disability division, following victory at this year’s championships in Perth and Mandurah.

New South Wales will chase an eighth consecutive blind and low-vision title, while Western Australia and Queensland will aim to defend their respective men’s and women’s deaf and hard-of-hearing titles.

Having been involved since their inception, Taverners Australia chair John Jeffreys said they were proud to be involved again.

“The Taverners look forward to another week of cricket competition, goodwill and renewing of friendships,” he said.

Westpac director access and inclusion strategy Majella Knobel echoed those sentiments.​

“At Westpac, we believe team sports have the power to create stronger, more connected communities, and these National Cricket Inclusion Championships showcase the impact of making participation accessible to everyone,” she said.

“The continued opportunities the championships offer reflects meaningful progress in representation and inclusion. We are proud to again support Cricket Australia’s commitment to ensuring cricket is welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all.”