Lancashire stars show support for Super 1s

Super 1s is a new national disability cricket programme for young people aged 12-25, delivered by the Lord’s Taverners, in partnership with local county cricket boards. The programme has now expanded in to Greater Manchester, in conjunction with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, with the aim of establishing a disability cricket hub in each of the nine boroughs across the city by 2020.

Livingstone and Davies were at the Old Trafford Cricket Centre for the announcement of the Super 1s programme, where they helped run a coaching session for over 20 young people with disabilities from Oldham.

Super 1s is a new national disability cricket programme for young people aged 12-25, delivered by the Lord’s Taverners, in partnership with local county cricket boards. The programme has now expanded in to Greater Manchester, in conjunction with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, with the aim of establishing a disability cricket hub in each of the nine boroughs across the city by 2020.

Livingstone and Davies were at the Old Trafford Cricket Centre for the announcement of the Super 1s programme, where they helped run a coaching session for over 20 young people with disabilities from Oldham.

Super 1s gives young people with disabilities aged 12-25 the chance to play cricket regularly. By creating community cricket hubs, delivered weekly by county cricket boards, the programme gives disabled young people the chance to compete against their peers, enjoy the benefits of sport and live a more active life.

The new ground-breaking programme will benefit youngsters in all aspects of their life; it has been proven that engaging in regular sport helps young people develop personal skills, including confidence, leadership and independence.
For many young people with disabilities, opportunities to take part in regular competitive sport can be limited. But the Super 1s programme has created a new pathway for disabled young people to play the game.

The delivery of this project has been aided by support from players of the People's Postcode Lottery (PPL). Players of PPL play with their postcodes to win cash prizes while raising money for charities and good causes across Great Britain and internationally, and their support of the Lord's Taverners has helped to ensure that Super 1s can be delivered in Greater Manchester with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.

Lord’s Taverners Disability Cricket Manager and England visually impaired cricketer, Mark Bond, said: “Building on the work we have been doing in London over the last few years, it is really exciting for us to bring Super 1s to Greater Manchester. The programme is going to provide disabled young people with the opportunity not just to play cricket, but also empower them to live more fulfilling and independent lives.”

Lancashire and England batsman Liam Livingstone said:

“It’s a pleasure to be asked to help with the launch of the Super 1s programme. It’s great to see children having fun and getting the opportunity to participate in something that we love to do.”

“Cricket is huge, particularly here in Manchester and a programme like Super 1s proves that anybody can play a form of the game, in some capacity. It’s great to come along and see the boys knocking the ball around and enjoying themselves.

England Lions and Lancashire wicket-keeper batsman, Alex Davies, added: “Myself and Liam were delighted to get involved with the launch of the Super 1s, it’s nice to see such a mixture of abilities coming together to have fun playing the game.

“Programmes like this are really important to the area, it gives children that are slightly less fortunate the chance to work as a team and build friendships and networks, all through the game of cricket.

“Cricket has given me the chance to travel the world with my friends, hopefully these lads can keep playing the sport and disability cricket can continue to grow.”