What We Do

The British Association For Cricketers With Disabilities was formed in 1991 to promote the game of cricket to people with disabilities nationwide.

B.A.C.D. is a registered charity - Registered Charity Number 1046015.

It works to encourage potential players, umpires, scorers, coaches and administrators to participate in the game at school, club, county and national level. It organises matches and tournaments at all levels of the games.

It has been mainly concerned with cricket for people with physical and learning difficulties, but in 2003 it encompassed the England Cricket Association for the Deaf.

Through its membership of the E.C.B. Sub-group it is involved in cricket for people with all forms of impairment.

It is managed and run by a team of volunteers who, through an executive committee and working teams, strive to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in cricket to the highest level their ability allows.

Items for inclusion on this website or any comments should be sent to the Hon. Secretary. See Contacts for details

Why Cricket?

Amongst the major sports, cricket is, perhaps uniquely placed in the width and depth of opportunities it presents for participation by people who have disabilities. It is a game played locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

It Is a game played by men and women, boys and girls and by all ages, races and creeds. It is a game open to people with a wide range of impairments. It requires not just players, but administrators,umpires, scorers, groundsmen, coaches and health specialists.

All of these roles represent an opportunity for disabled people to participate. There are now, and have been in the past, disabled people working at the highest levels of the game in these support roles.

It is a game that can be enjoyed at all levels of ability, from school team to full England team. It provides participants with the chance to develop their cricket skills and techniques to as high a level as their ability allows.

For players, the benefits are apparent in many areas including: Playing Skills Hand/eye co-ordination Health and fitness Concentration Technique Analysis Communication Field settings Dexterity Numeracy Other Benefits Membership of a team Team spirit

The 'spirit' of cricket Social interaction Planning Tactics Leadership Friendship It is a game that is safe to play.

Special balls, bats and wickets are available to ensure the safety of players according to their age and ability. It is a game open to specialist skills. A player may have a high ability as a bowler but not at batting. Everyone does not have to be an all-rounder.

It is a game where teachers, carers and parents can actively support the players through volunteering their assistance at the cricket club. It is a game that can be played outdoors or indoors or even on a table tennis table as in table cricket. It is a game that is fun to play!

Since When

Cricket has been played by people with disabilities for many years. There is a well established structure for competitive cricket "from playground to test arena". Cricket for blind people, and those with visual impairment, was first played in 1948. There has been an organised structure in the game for over 20 years. The first world cup series was played in 1998 and there are national leagues and a knock out competition. The game has been managed in the U.K. by the charity British Blind Sport (B.B.S.) .

Deaf people and those with a hearing impairment have played organised cricket since the 1950's. An England team has played in the deaf cricket world cup since 1996. There are regional leagues and a national cup. The British Deaf Sports Council had been the charity managing deaf cricket but this role is now undertaken by the England Cricket Association For The Deaf (E.C.A.D). A more recent initiative has been the development of cricket for people with a physical impairment and people with learning difficulties. The British Association For Cricketers With Disabilities (B.A.C.D.) was formed in 1991, and has run regional and national club tournaments since then.

In 1999 the inaugural County Championship took place at Trent Bridge and this annual event now involves 12 county sides. Headingley will host this year's final. In all cases the game is played as closely as possible to the Laws of Cricket with the minimum differences in equipment and facilities commensurate with the age and abilities of the players and care for their safety. In 1999 the England And Wales Cricket Board (E.C.B.) launched an initiative to bring together those organisations actively involved in disability cricket creating a Disability Sub-Group reporting to the Recreational Cricket Advisory Committee.

This Sub-Group provides a forum for discussion and shared initiatives for the game. Day-to-day management of the game for each class of disability remains with the specialist charities but they now work closely with the E.C.B. B.A.C.D. is an active member of the E.C.B. Sub-Group. E.C.B. Website

What Next?

What Should I Do? If you are disabled or a teacher, carer or parent of someone with a disability and you believe that cricket represents an interesting opportunity for active participation then please contact us.

If you need any further inspiration and motivation to play disabilities cricket, then just click on this link http://www.ecb.co.uk/development/disability-cricket/disability-cricket-news/disabled-cricket-pathway,304942,EN.html you will find four stories from different players who, despite their disabilities have achieved so much in our sport. This could be you.....