The Macquarie National Table Cricket Competition, run by The Lord’s Taverners and supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), provides the opportunity to play in a national competition. Currently, over 600 youngsters take part in regional heats held at sports venues around the UK, including the Oval, Edgbaston and Headingley, with the winning teams competing in the finals at the home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The early beginnings…

The ECB and Youth Sport Trust launched the competitive version of the sport via their World Cup Table Cricket competition in 1999. An approach was then made to The Lord’s Taverners to fund the competition and The Lord’s Taverners have since taken responsibility for delivering the competition as part of the ECB’s disability programme. From the start 40 teams participated in regional heats and these were held at eight venues around the country. This pattern has been repeated each year, culminating in an exciting day of competition for the regional finalists at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The growing trend…

The National Finals have grown in status and receive support from a host of celebrities and eminent people in the field of cricket and show business. In 2010 another milestone was reached in the history of the game when, to commemorate The Lord’s Taverners Diamond Jubilee, Table Cricket National Finals made their debut on the “hallowed Lord’s turf” when the final match took place for the very first time on the main square at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The future…

The game has significant growth potential and with a focussed approach and a structured development programme, the player pathway will build and provide many more competitive opportunities for young people at a local and regional level around the country. This programme will enable disabled youngsters to enjoy the challenge of competitive sport through to a prestigious National Final.

To get involved…

For further information on the Macquarie National Table Cricket Competition please contact Sophie Mackie on 020 7821 2816.

In 2011, The Lord’s Taverners formed a three-year partnership with global financial services institution, Macquarie Group. At the heart of the partnership is the Macquarie Group Foundation’s support for the charity’s iconic national table cricket competition. The Macquarie National Table Cricket Competition gives young people with severe physical disabilities an opportunity to compete in a competitive game of cricket on a national scale.

The competition is hugely popular, with demand outstripping opportunities for participation. Over 500 youngsters compete in the regional heats which are held at nine venues around the country, including the Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley and the Rose Bowl. The winning teams then travel to the home of cricket – Lord’s Cricket Ground – to compete in the finals.

Julie White, Global Head, Macquarie Group Foundation, said: "We are very pleased to support this competition with premier cricket organisation The Lord's Taverners as it exemplifies Macquarie's approach of supporting community initiatives through both staff volunteering and financial assistance. The competition is an innovative way of enabling young people with disabilities to engage in an enjoyable, active contest as well as an opportunity for Macquarie staff to serve alongside them."

2011 Macquarie National Table Cricket Finals

The hotly-contested finals of the 2011 Macquarie National Table Cricket Competition took place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 17 June, where Victoria Sports College from Poole successfully defended their 2010 title in a nail-biting finale against Wigan’s Oakfield School to be crowned national champions once again.

The finals day, which was brilliantly hosted by Sky Sports commentator, Marcus Buckland, saw 12 regional finalists (see below) battle it out during a packed morning of group games. The grand final was played out in front of a celebrity audience including EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star, Ricky Groves, Middlesex CCC players, including Ashes-winning fast bowler, Steve Finn, and former England international cricketer, Angus Fraser.

Rob Belbin, Victoria Sports College team manager, said: “We’re all just thrilled and proud of all our players who put in a fantastic team performance today. Thank you so much to The Lord’s Taverners and Macquarie for hosting such a great competition – hopefully we’ll be back next year to defend our crown!”

Jamie Kelly (17), captain of the Victoria Sports College team, said: “The standard of table cricket has gone to a much higher level this year so we all really had to make sure that every shot played and every ball bowled counted today. I’d like to thank all of my team mates and Rob, without who we wouldn’t have been able to retain the trophy.”

Teams taking part in the 2011 national finals were:

• Beckfoot School (Bingley)
• Brookfield House School (Woodford Green)
• Lonsdale School (Stevenage)
• Marjorie McClure School (Chislehurst)
• Oakfield School (Wigan)
• Percy Hedley Sports Academy (Newcastle)
• Portland College (Mansfield)
• South Gloucestershire ‘A’
• South London Special League
• Thomas Wolsey School (Ipswich)
• Victoria Sports College (Poole)
• Wolverhampton Outreach Sports Club

At the national finals Doug Williams picks his annual All-England team, based on performances throughout the course of the day. We are delighted to confirm the 2011 All-England Team is as follows:

• Liam DRUMMOND (Capt) - Victoria Sports College
• Weslie GREY - Lonsdale School
• Sophie PRITCHARD - Wolverhampton Outreach Sports Club
• Andy LIVALL - South Gloucestershire ‘A’
• Stephen DALE - Oakfield School
• Josh OWEN - Marjorie McClure School
• Steven RANDLE - Thomas Wolsey School
• Vinney DOOLEY - Portland College
• Talha MUHAMMAD - Brookfield House School
• Edward  COMMON - Percy Headley Sports Academy
• Kira HOE LUU - South London Special League
• Caitlin WOOD - Beckfoot School

For photos from the finals day please visit our Facebook page.