PUPILS from The Beech Academy, Mansfield enjoyed a day to remember when they were crowned national champions at the Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket Finals — and also met England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

The school was one of 10 to compete at Lord’s Cricket Ground and clinched the crown in style with a brilliant performance.

The Lord’s Taverners exists to positively impact the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities to develop the knowledge, skills, capabilities and confidence required to overcome the challenges of inequality, raise their aspirations and reach their potential.
Academy teacher Georgia Baker said table cricket was inclusive for her students.

“For us, inclusivity is everything. It is one of our core values at school as well,” she explained. “To be able to include everyone at that table and allow them to be part of a team is great.

“We have got age ranges from 12 to 18 who have not had the opportunity to even see each other, let alone play a sport together, so for us inclusivity is massive.”

More than 100 schools and 1,000 young people with disabilities took part in the county and regional qualifiers to book their place for Finals Day of the competition, now into its 22nd year.

The event is made possible thanks to the support of Ford, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

An adapted form of cricket played on a table tennis table, table cricket takes all the aspects of mainstream cricket, providing a more inclusive and accessible form that allows young people with a wide range of disabilities to participate, meet new friends, and have fun.

The game not only promotes teamwork and sportsmanship in an enjoyable environment, it also improves life skills such as self-confidence, independence, and social integration.

Pupil Louise Morley, 18, was happy to get the chance to compete at a high level.

“I got involved with table cricket because I thought it would be exciting and competitive,” she said. “It is just a great opportunity to compete against everyone.

“I enjoy working together with my teammates and winning games. I’m also very happy to be representing the school.”

Watching on at Lord’s was England wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, as well as Sussex and Southern Vipers captain Georgia Adams.

Ben said: “I think, especially after what’s been going on with Covid-19, this is just a great opportunity to get together.”

“Some of these guys were probably hit the hardest in that isolation and in that lockdown period. So it’s great, everyone being able to get out and enjoy it — and enjoying that team aspect of sport that cricket provides.

“It’s been fantastic to see it. It looks like it’s going from strength to strength and it’s just been awesome.”

The Lord’s Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit www.lordstaverners.org