CRICKETERS with disabilities were given rare opportunities to compete at a national level when the National Cricket Inclusion Championships came to WA last month, but organisers say poor promotion is hampering opportunities to encourage others to participate.

The week-long event, held from January 12 to 16, brought together 20 men’s and women’s teams from across the country in blind and low-vision, intellectual disability, and deaf and hard-of-hearing divisions. 

Applecross Cricket Club was a co-host, with matches played at venues including Shirley Strickland Reserve.

Applecross club historian Russell Kingdon said the championships highlighted the importance of inclusive pathways, but the event struggled for visibility.

• South Australia v NSW at Bert Jeffrey Park

“I spoke to the managers from Queensland and South Australia and what they were saying as well is that the marketing and promotion of the national tournament in WA and the promotion of it to the media was near nonexistent,” he said.

“That sums it up. So how are clubs supposed to be made aware of it all? Encouraged to do this stuff?”

Mr Kingdon said his club had been running an Integrated Cricket League targeted at people with intellectual disabilities for five years and a vision-impaired side for about three years.

“They used to be connected to the WACA but they were just thrown anywhere and everywhere. 

“No one really hosted them or looked after them, so we engaged with them and said come and be based at Shirley Strickland with the Applecross Cricket Club.”

He said the arrangement had given the players a stable home ground and regular matches against sighted teams wearing impairment simulation glasses.

“It’s come a long way for them because I’ve got an opportunity to have a base,” he said.

Mr Kingdon said the experience was educational for all players involved.

• Mike Berg scored 104 not out and took 1 for 49 for Western Australia to earn player of the match. He also represents Australia at the internaitonal level.

“You learn so much because when you actually play them on the paddock, their communication skills are second to none,” he said.

“A cricketer with no disability actually learns so much… the communication on the playing oval, there’s just so much required.”

He said WA’s intellectual disability side won its opening game but faced stronger opposition from larger eastern states.

“The disability boys won the very first game in the tournament, but it was a tough ride,” he said.

“The reason we’re trying to get this marketed, is because the eastern states have a lot more kids and people playing the game so they’re obviously a lot stronger.”

He said the key was encouraging more families to get involved.

“Mums and dads are probably a little bit reserved about going and taking this opportunity to get out there and play,” he said.

“So what we’re trying to do really is just get the message out there to get people outside and come and have a play.”

Club president Mark Hullett said the championships were “a wonderful success and a huge milestone for cricket in WA”.

“Seeing so many participants take the field — and so many volunteers step up to support them — was truly inspiring,” he said.

Anyone interested in inclusive cricket can contact Applecross Cricket Club at secretary@applecrosscricketclub.com.

by STEVE GRANT