Schools Special Schools Festivals
Festivals
Without the end product of competitive Cricket, the coaching that is on offer at schools would not be as effective. It is competitions and festivals that give children a taste of what being a sports person is all about and they all love the chance to play in a structured competitive situation.
Over the last 5 years there have been festivals hosted at the County Ground Bristol for both non stop continuous cricket and Table cricket. The teams that enter the festivals are the ones that receive the coaching so it all ties in very well. The children always love the day and because we host it at the county ground it really offers the WOW factor for the participants.
We are very fortunate that over the last 2 years John Lewis, Cribbs Causeway, has sponsored this area of work which has meant that we have been able to further develop and bring in localised rounds. With this additional support it is allowing the GCB to plan greater things, in 2011 there shall be localised regional rounds before the County Finals.
Disability Cricket is nationally very fortunate to have Lords Taverners as its flagship sponsor. Martin Mansell from the Lords Taverners is a big supporter of the work we do in Gloucestershire and annually attends the festivals that are run.
The GCB make sure that all special schools are playing against appropriate opponents so we have mild learning difficulties (MLD) festivals and severe learning difficulties (SLD) festivals as well as separate festivals for those with physical disabilities. This ensures that the children get a positive experience and there is the opportunity of inclusion for all.
The GCB offers festivals in both: