The Hackney Pan-Disability Cricket Team uses our community transport service to travel to fixtures. They are a part of the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s programme, which gives young people with disabilities aged 12–25 the chance to play cricket regularly, as well as the opportunity to take part in a year-round competition structure that culminates in finals at Lord’s. By creating community cricket hubs, delivered weekly by the county cricket boards, the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s programme gives disabled young people the chance to compete against their peers, enjoy the benefits of sport and live a more active life.

For many young people with disabilities throughout the UK, opportunities to take part in regular competitive sport can be extremely limited. But Super 1s has created a new pathway for disabled young people to play the game and benefits youngsters in all aspects of their life.

‘Every time we come along it’s a chance for all the players to meet up with old friends on other sides,’ said Team Hackney coordinator, Alan Walsh. ‘It’s about more than just playing cricket. Super 1s is about personal development. With our group, through this, they meet and socialise outside of our networks. ‘They’ve learnt about leadership, teamwork, supporting each other. This has helped them develop life skills for the future. Super 1s does that as that’s what it’s about. Yes, it’s a cricket programme, but most people realise it’s about personal development. It’s really important.’

The Hackney Pan-Disability Cricket Team also enjoyed a day to remember at Lord’s on 18 October 2018, as they reached the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s Finals. They were just edged out by Hillingdon in a nail-biting finale, while two of their players were named Fielder and Bowler of the Finals to cap a memorable day.