Middlesex County Cricket Club hosted the first ever county cricket PowerHouseGames on Friday 24th March, with professional players, women and coaches from the Middlesex women’s pathway, pupils from William Perkin School, staff from behind the scenes at the Club and disabled players from the Middlesex Super 1 Hub in Hackney.
Judging by the cheers, laughter, smiles and whoops, Power2Inspire’s Rule No. 1 was followed pretty closely – as everyone had FUN!
I was allowed to play – my first ever foray into the playing side of a PowerHouseGames! We started with Sitting Netball – gee, it is tiring! We were on the artificial turf or similar of the indoor cricket school, so scooting on our bottoms was more of a challenge. But it was such fun, and so inclusive.
New Age Kurling matched us, the royal blues, against the silver team including my great mate, Andrew Cornish, the CEO of Middlesex CCC. Andrew had worked out we have known each other for over 40 years! It added spice to the game, which his team then won. More worryingly, Andrew offered to recount stories of our escapades in our youth to anyone who came up to him afterwards!
On a more serious note, he commented on how wonderfully inclusive these games are and how much everyone of all standards and abilities can get out of them.
Round 3 brought boccia and a very competitive game against the purple team, led by Stevie Eskanazi. He did make it particularly hard on one end throwing the jack through the entrance gap, which brought mirth and no little skill.
‘Eski’ and Toby Rowland-Jones, the club’s co-captains, spoke magnificently at the close, saying what a privilege it was to be a part of the games and how they hoped it would be an annual fixture.
After a break – great snacks Alex – we were up against the red team in Kwik Cricket. I haven’t played any form of cricket for 20 years, so I was delighted to be able to hit the ball the first and second time. However, as you have to run every time you hit it – sideways to a marker (a set of stumps in this case) rather than forwards – by the fifth hit I was blowing so hard I couldn’t hit a barn door!
Fantastic fun to play with such talented professionals and be allowed to have fun – thank you Martin Andersson and Alan Coleman.
Sitting Volleyball gave us a welcome sit down. I noticed Angus Fraser, Cricket Development Director and a hero of mine in my youth as he bowled for England, came to watch and was encouraged to play. He commented:
“Played in two matches [one being sitting volleyball] and won both”.
The hunger never dies!
“I had a wonderful day at Lord’s with Power2Inspire. This session and the kind of engagement it provided was super as people with different abilities could get involved and do sports alongside each other with just a few adaptations, and this really helped to break down barriers. I have met lots of kind, enthusiastic, and brilliant young people who have reminded me that it’s really about having fun and bringing people together. Truly inspiring, and I look forward to getting involved again!“
Heidi Pathak
Our last game was Goalball, which I find hard. When you have one impairment, being given another – in this case being blindfolded – amplifies the challenge. However my team were excellent at giving instructions and Monica was a brilliant player for the final one versus one shoot out.
I would like to thank all my teammates for accommodating my needs and making it such fun.
I would also like to thank our wonderful volunteers: David Ellis (chauffeur, time-keeper, organiser), Heidi Pathak (player – on my team), Steve Shaw (player) and Paul Sanwell (photographer).
But the biggest thanks go to Kari Carswell, Participation Director, who battled hard to make it happen. She overcame venue booking, sponsor drop out – my, did they miss a trick! – an independent school dropping out – again what an error – and having to find, with the indefatigable Michael Wilson (Middlesex CCC Head of Disability Cricket), some disabled players at the last minute.
I will leave the last comment to Kari:
“I see so much value in doing this event so I’m extremely keen that we crack on and make it work regardless of numbers. I’m sure between us we can make it work.”
She filled all the spaces, made it happen and it worked: inclusive sport was enjoyed by 72 people with a wide range of abilities and backgrounds and ‘No one was left on the bench!’
What are PowerHouseGames?
PowerHouseGames are incredible sports days using adapted games and sports, with activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, old and young, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants are encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, to learn to respect other people’s differences, and Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
With special thanks to Paul Sanwell of OP Photography for his fantastic photography on the day. All photos used with permission
