Actionnaires enjoy training with England blind cricket team

Around 20 blind and partially sighted children from Action for Blind People’s Actionnaires clubs picked up cricket tips from the professionals at Lord's Cricket Ground on Tuesday 14 February.

Tom CadleLordscricket

“It’s been a great day; I liked visiting the cricket ground and meeting the players." - Tom Cadle,7, from Muswell Hill.

Members of the England Blind Cricket team, including captain Matt Dean, ran the coaching session for the London youngsters, which was organised by RNIB, to introduce the visually impaired children to the tactics of the game.

Many of the youngsters are members of North London Actionnaires, one of two clubs in London run by Action and funded by the Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation. 

Steve Vaid, director of operations from Action for Blind People, said: “It is important for the children and their families to realise they are able to take part in a range of activities, no matter their level of sight. Actionnaires events provide opportunities for the young people to build their self confidence and improve their team work, as well as offering their families the chance to meet others in similar situations.”

Matthew Robertson, events executive at RNIB, said: “Our appreciation goes out to the players of the England Blind Cricket team, as well as the staff at Lord’s Cricket Ground, for being so welcoming. Not only were the youngsters able to spend a morning playing cricket with their friends, but they received training from some of the best players in the sport.”

London Actionnaires 

The North London club compliments the West London group to further help develop the children’s fitness and artistic skills, while encouraging self confidence and social interaction.  The two Actionnaires clubs each meet twice a month in different locations around London to provide local events for local children, allowing as many as youngsters as possible to take part.

Find out more

The free, ongoing sessions are aimed at children aged four to 16, and friends and family are always welcome. Actionnaires is one of Action for Blind People’s services for children and young people, which also include access to information, activity breaks, support groups for parents and help with assistive technology. 

Find out more about Actionnaires

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Posted on 16 February 2012, in Action