By Bradbury Williams
It’s just over a year since the opening of the new Village Centre and Ansty Cricket club has become a super hub of excellence for disability cricket. From across the county, youngsters and their families have come along to the club to join a highly successful new home for Super 1s cricket.
It aims to give young people with a disability – aged 12-25 – the chance to play regular competitive cricket while improving their confidence and independence. It is supported across the country by the Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sport charity – as well as locally by Sussex County Cricket Club. But Ansty has led the way in creating much more than just a sports facility. “It’s something we started just over a year ago and has gone from strength to strength, but it’s much more than just disability cricket,” said Allie Young, President of Ansty Cricket Club. “Working closely with the families we are planning an all year range of activities, including regular use of the practice nets along with things like Skittles and quiz events,” she added.
But for coach Dom Mamoany, the key to the success of the club is developing a close-knit team determined to take on the challenge of always improving their game and getting match fit. At the same time he gets to know every single player and understands their specific disabilities so they can maximise their potential on the pitch. “Its about building their individual confidence, week after week. Just because you have a disability it shouldn’t stop you reaching your potential. At the same time having the challenge of competitive games is important to everyone,” said Dom. “And there is no doubt here in Ansty we are a fantastic example for creating one of the first Hubs. It’s helped by having great new facilities and is definitely a model for what is being introduced across the country,” he added.
For team member Evan Halls, 17, from Hurstpierpoint, who is supported by parents Kate and Glynn, the growing club is a great success. “Ansty is a really good place to be, I’ve made lots of friends and the coaches have really helped improve my game,” said Evan. “It is a fantastic facility and everyone is very helpful. The team have similar skill-sets and there is no judging,” said Kate. “We have made new friends and Evan is improving his hand/eye co-ordination and it is really good to see him enjoying team sport.
“Cricket is also the right team game and works very well, unlike with football and rugby which are way too fast with so much running around,’ said Glynn.
For team player David Fawdrey of Plumpton, who is visually impaired, the Super 1s has helped his reputation as a demon bowler. “Everyone is helpful and getting better,” he said. His mum Shioban is delighted by developments in cricket over the last year. “It’s really made the cricket more like a club not just a sport session. It’s difficult finding something where there are fixtures and a social side of things too,” she said. For dad, Richard, the key to the winning formula at Ansty is understanding the disability of each team member. “It’s all about finding out how the disability works and how the players can develop. It’s nurturing, but competitive and everyone is supportive of each other,” said Richard.
So, with the Super 1s getting better all the time it looks like Ansty is only going to enhance its reputation as a leading light of disability sport. “We are aiming to grow and be a force to be reckoned with next season, but we couldn’t do it without the support of Lord’s Taverners or Sussex County Cricket Club,” said Dom. Anyone who wants to get involved, in the first instance, should contact the SCCC Disability Coordinator Aroop Tanna, via email aroop.tanna@ sussexcricket.co.uk.