Andy Welsh bowling during a practice session during his last visit earlier this year. Photo by Shiek Mohamed.
The Cricket for Change Organization based in the UK www.cricketforchange.org.uk and in conjunction with the USA Cricket Association www.usaca.org will this weekend formally launch an instructional coaching program for coaches wishing to train the blind and visually impaired (B&VI) in the rudiments of the sport of Blind Cricket.
Played very competitively around the world, B&VI cricket has served as the catalyst for those with visual and other disabilities to look at themselves as capable of participating in a sport that attracts millions of fans around the world.
Following an earlier visit in January by members of Cricket for Change to New York, five members of the UK organization will arrive on Thursday, May 13 via British Airways – one of the main sponsors of the organization’s program around the world, and visit the Lavelle School for the Blind in the Bronx, New York www.lavelleschool.org/ The Lavelle School for the Blind was identified by USA Cricket to be the pilot institution to launch B&VI cricket in the USA.
Established 106 years ago, the Lavelle School for the Blind has an active physical education program for its students including volleyball, and basketball. Kevin Finnerty is an adaptive Physical Education teacher at the school, and he looks forward to integrating the sport of cricket into the school’s physical education program. Mr. Finnerty who holds a BSc. in Physical Education and a MSc. in Health Education has been an instructor at the school for the past four years.
Mr. Finnerty said, “The staff and students at Lavelle are looking forward to learning about the sport of cricket and incorporating it into their physical education program.”
Ms. Diane Tucker is the Upper School’s Principal at the Lavelle School for the Blind and has worked at the institution for the past 26 years in various administrative capacities, including a 14 year stint as a teacher of the visually impaired. According to Ms. Tucker, “One of the things that always stand out is the ability Lavelle students have to overcome obstacles. Lavelle is fortunate to have a dedicated staff that represents a wide part of the world that is familiar with the sport of Cricket. We are excited for our students to learn and partake in this new activity,” adding, “Working with the students at Lavelle has been enlightening in many ways.”
The Cricket for Change program has been endorsed by New York State Governor David A. Patterson, who stated in a letter to the January 2010 Blind Cricket Conference in New York, “As Governor, I believe that we must give all people with disabilities the opportunity to lead richer lives.”
Governor Patterson, who is visually impaired, added then, “As someone who has lived his entire life with a visual impairment, I know very well how important it is to empower those with disabilities. The promise of America is the promise that every person can participate fully and equally in our society.” The Governor added, “Blind Cricket can help countless New Yorkers and Americans,” while applauding Cricket for Change and the USA Cricket Association for launching such a valuable initiative.
The Cricket for Change group will include Andy Sellins, Chief Executive, Andy Dalby-Welsh, Director of Programs, Tony Joseph, Senior Development Officer, Danny Baker, Development Manager (South London), and Adam Hall, Development Manager (North London). They will be joined in New York by Clifford Hinds, the USA Cricket Association’s liaison for the initiative, Krish Prasad, the New York Region’s Representative on the USA Cricket board, Selwyn Caesar, New York Cricket Region’s Director, and John L. Aaron, USA Cricket’s Executive Secretary.
Several New York sighted cricket enthusiasts have signed up to participate in the coaching program, the first of its kind in the USA.
The coaching program’s schedule is as follows:
SCHEDULE FOR CRICKET FOR CHANGE VISIT TO NEW YORK
FRIDAY, MAY 14
Live B&VI Inter-active Cricket Demonstration
Lavelle School for the Blind
3830 Paulding Avenue, (Bet. 221 & 222 Streets)
Bronx, NY 10469
10:00 am – 12:00 Noon
Session I for Coaches
Gateway Cricket Ground
Exit 15 Erskine Street,
Belt Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
SATURDAY, MAY 15
Session II for Coaches
Gateway Cricket Ground
Exit 15 Erskine Street,
Belt Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
1: 00 pm – 6:00 pm
SUNDAY, MAY 16
No activities planned.
MONDAY, MAY 17
Live B&VI Inter-active Cricket Demonstration
Lavelle School for the Blind
3830 Paulding Avenue, (Bet. 221 & 222 Streets)
Bronx, NY 10469
1:15 pm – 2:45 pm
Review and Graduation Ceremony
Bennie’s Restaurant
Liberty Avenue and 130th Street
Richmond Hill, NY
5:00 – 7:00 pm