Fifteen School and Club Engagement Officers and Managers took part in a two-day Cricket Ireland All Ability Conference at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown this week.
Organised by Cricket Ireland’s Coach Education Manager, Stephen Maxwell, and Liam Foulkes, National Game Development Manager, the conference focused on building the knowledge and skillsets required to deliver high-quality cricket programmes within the disability space.
Development Officers from Munster Cricket, Connacht Cricket, the Northern Cricket Union, and the North West Cricket Union engaged in a packed schedule of dynamic presentations, practical workshops, team challenges and programme-design sessions.
The first session of the conference was an interactive workshop delivered by Sara McFadden, Operations Co-ordinator for Vision Sport Ireland. Sara explored the barriers and opportunities experienced by vision-impaired children and adults participating in sport. Delegates also took part in a challenging paired activity where one partner was blindfolded and guided down a staircase and through the main arena by their ‘sighted’ teammate—an exercise that powerfully demonstrated the trust, communication, and teamwork required for inclusive coaching.
Participants were then introduced to Cricket Ireland’s vision-impaired equipment, including audible cricket balls fitted with internal bells. Groups were tasked with designing a cricket activity suitable for vision-impaired children, an exercise strongly praised for its practical value and insight.
The second session focused on adapting games to meet diverse needs, with workshops exploring progressions and regressions to tailor cricket experiences for children of varying abilities. Coaches collaborated to analyse scenarios and design flexible, inclusive activities that can be used across programmes nationwide for those with physical and intellectual disabilities, the hearing impaired as well as blind/visually impaired.
Next up was the Table Cricket presentation delivered by the NCU team, led by coach Ruhan Pretorius. Delegates were taken through the rules, matchplay structure, and equipment setup before taking part in several competitive games. The session quickly demonstrated the accessibility and appeal of Table Cricket within the disability sector, with participants fully embracing the fast-paced and tactical nature of the activity.
Day Two featured an engaging session chaired by Geraldine McTavish, Sport Ireland’s Disability in Sport Lead. Geraldine introduced the Sport Ireland Disability Inclusion Policy and Statement of Commitment, prompting attendees to reflect on the many ways coaches can have meaningful, positive impacts on the lives of disabled athletes. The discussion was both rewarding and thought-provoking, encouraging participants to consider inclusion not simply as an add-on, but as a core coaching responsibility.
Participants left the conference with a strong sense of what is possible in terms of service provision and inclusive programme delivery within their communities.
Sincere thanks were extended to Stephen Maxwell, Liam Foulkes, Sara McFadden, and Geraldine McTavish for their expertise, leadership, and support throughout what proved to be a highly valuable two days of learning and collaboration.
