Impact Award winners enjoy special night at the Oval

Prajith (Super 1s – Cricket East), Millie (Super 1s – Warwickshire), Kennet School (SEND School) and Maha (Wicketz - Glasgow) received Include, Empower, Inspire and EDI awards, respectively. Presented to them by England men’s cricketer Ollie Pope and England mixed disability batter Jonny Gale, these awards celebrate what each winner has achieved and how they’ve developed in their respective settings over the past year and more.

Each of the award winners had films specially made to showcase the journeys they’d been on, and you can view them while finding out more below.

Prajith

Prajith was recognised for embodying the value of inclusion and helping create a welcoming community at Super 1s in Luton, where everyone can be themselves.

Diagnosed with autism aged two, Prajith initially found communication and social interaction extremely challenging. He often avoided unfamiliar environments and struggled to connect with others. After joining Super 1s at the Luton Town Indians Cricket Club hub, he quickly discovered a supportive, multicultural community where his talents and individuality were celebrated.

Through regular sessions, Prajith has grown in confidence and communication, developed friendships and become a valued member of the group. His family have also found a supportive network through Super 1s, sharing experiences with other parents and building a strong community around their children.

Now described as a ‘social butterfly’ and a kind, supportive friend, Prajith regularly encourages others and helps make everyone feel welcome. His journey demonstrates the power of inclusion to help young people connect, grow and thrive.

Millie

Millie has been on an incredible journey through Super 1s and has received her award for the positive impact she is now having by empowering other young people in her community.

Growing up with a sight condition and global developmental delay, Millie experienced difficulties with communication. As a result, she found it challenging to participate in activities, meet new people, and feel comfortable in unfamiliar environments. After joining Super 1s in Warwickshire, however, she discovered a supportive community where she could enjoy cricket, build confidence and develop her independence.

The impact has been transformative. Millie now attends Super 1s independently, has encouraged other girls to join the programme and is keen to make others feel included. Inspired by the volunteers who supported her, she now volunteers with three community groups, including a youth club and Rainbows.

Alongside studying Health and Social Care, Millie is pursuing her ambition to work with children, demonstrating how Super 1s has helped her realise her potential and inspire others.

Kennet School

For the first time at this annual event, we presented an award to a school, celebrating the outstanding impact being achieved at Kennet School in Thatcham – the school continues to create an inclusive environment which inspires students living with a disability to participate, achieve and aspire through sport.

The school’s physical disability resource, alongside dedicated teachers and staff, has helped make competitive sport accessible through table cricket. This has given students such as Oliver and Leah opportunities to develop confidence, life skills and sporting ambitions, while also supporting their GCSE and BTEC Sport studies.

Importantly, Kennet’s impact extends beyond individual students. The school has created a culture in which students can become coaches, role models and advocates for inclusion, with peers engaging alongside students living with a disability. Staff have embraced adapted opportunities that allow everyone to take part and demonstrate their abilities.

By embedding inclusion, aspiration and sporting opportunity across the school community, Kennet is helping students fulfil their potential and challenge perceptions of disability.

Maha

Maha is the first recipient of the Lord’s Taverners EDI Champion Award, selected by the charity’s inaugural cohort of Youth Ambassadors in recognition of her resilience, leadership and impact within her community.

After joining Wicketz in Pollokshields, Glasgow, Maha initially faced barriers as a girl playing cricket in a predominantly male environment. Rather than step back, she persevered and has since become a Wicketz volunteer and coach, helping create a more welcoming environment for other girls and encouraging more young people to take part.

Through youth voice activities and community events, Maha has helped shape Wicketz around the needs and perspectives of local young people, while challenging perceptions around girls and women in sport. Her confidence and leadership have also supported her ambition to become a doctor, with Maha crediting the skills she developed through cricket as helping her pursue her goal.

Maha’s example continues to inspire others and change attitudes towards inclusion across her community.