Newton Bridge Academy win inaugural National Table Cricket title

After winning all of their group fixtures they held on to beat the Suffolk team in front of a full house in the Nursery Pavilion at the home of cricket, after 11 teams had battled it out on the day following five months of table cricket action across the country before charity President, David Gower, presented them with the coveted trophy. 

All 11 teams that qualified for Finals Day had competed in county and regional heats to earn the right to play and represent their region in the showcase finale. There were nine Regional Finals with nearly 70 schools and 500 students who competed from the regional stage onwards in what has been a brilliant showcase of the most inclusive form of the game. 

Table cricket is a fully inclusive and adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp and played on a table tennis table. 

Lord’s Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. 

Engaging in table cricket offers young people with a disability to learn key life skills such as communication, leadership and playing as part of a team. Playing also opens up new life experiences, provides opportunities to grow in confidence, make new friends and personally develop. 

A great example of this being Falkirk School, who became just the second Scottish team to take part in Finals Day after experiencing an early flight from north of the border to get down to the nation’s capital in time for a 10.30am start. A once in a lifetime opportunity for many of the students competing.