The Lord's Taverners' Super 1s programme is the charity's community cricket programme for young people with disabilities aged 12–25 - we hear from two inspirational award winners at its recent celebration event
This article features in our Summer 2023 magazine. To read the full version, get a copy of the magazine by clicking here.
Super 1s is the Lord's Taverners' community cricket programme for young people with disabilities aged 12–25, which has access and inclusion at its heart.
It provides an opportunity to have fun playing cricket with friends every week and experience competitive sport with peers, and is now available for free in every county in England, Wales and Scotland.
All 39 county cricket boards (plus Wales and Scotland) are now delivering the programme in more than 150 locations and such has been the demand for it – and thanks to the support of the England & Wales Cricket Board – this has been achieved a year ahead of schedule.
"Super 1s goes beyond cricket," says Mark Curtin, CEO of the Lord's Taverners. "It helps develop vital life skills, friendships, improves self-esteem and gives participants increased awareness of what they can do, not what they can't."
Super 1s is supported by the Berkeley Foundation, who are continuing their support of the life-changing national disability cricket programme for another three years.
That was announced at the programme's celebration evening at The Oval on July 13, where England's Ashes hero Chris Woakes and Australian comic Adam Hills presented two programme participants with awards.
Sophie Leonard, who takes part in Super 1s in Hampshire, won her award after being a regular attendee for over eight years and showcased how much she has developed personally.
She has become a brilliant role model for others and played a key role in making cricket a game for everyone.
After winning the award, she said: "There are no words to describe it, I'm on top of the world right now. This award is not only for me but it's for all my people back home and all my team."
Connor Hyde, who lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, attends the Yeovil Super 1s hub in Somerset.
His parents were told he wasn't going to be able to walk when he was a child. Now, he's a fully-fledged member of Yeovil Super 1s, runs some of the sessions, coaches at his local cricket club and is also a personal trainer.
He was overwhelmed when Hills announced him as a recipient of the Inspire Award. He said: "I think cricket has saved my life, I wasn't as social with people because I was a bit scared that people would think I shouldn't be involved in a cricket match, and I proved a lot of people wrong.
"If I didn't have cricket, I don't think I would be as happy, and I can't say thank you enough."
To find out more about Super 1s, visit www.lordstaverners.org/super1s
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