On Tuesday 7th February the Sports Development Unit, in conjunction with the Isle of Man Cricket Development Officer, facilitated the first Disability Kwik Cricket Festival to take place in the Isle of Man. Over 60 children from all 9 primary special educational need units (SEN Units) competed and socialised with other children from across the Island. 
 
Children had the opportunity to take part in a variety of Kwik Cricket activities such as target throwing, straight drive and pull shot batting activities, catching and team throwing events. All children received a medal and certificate for their achievements.
 
Prior to the Kwik Cricket Festival, the Disability and Cricket Development Officer facilitated a series of Kwik Cricket training sessions to all primary special educational need units (SEN Unit) across the Island. Children learnt a variety of Kwik Cricket skills such as batting, fielding, throwing and catching in preparation for the activities that took place at the festival.
 
Barclays Wealth has been working with the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure’s Sports Development Unit to help develop and increase the number of sporting opportunities available for all children with disabilities. Through the work of the Disability Sports Development Officer and the continued support from Barclays Wealth, additional sporting festivals have now been facilitated.
 
The donation received from Barclays Wealth allowed the Sports Development Unit to purchase a range of new Kwik Cricket sporting equipment suitable for a wide range of children’s needs and abilities. This ensured that all training sessions and the kwik cricket festival itself was made fully inclusive to all children. 
 
In partnership with the Department of Education and Children Kwik Cricket is now part of the yearly Disability Sports Programme that is being rolled out to all SEN Units across the Island. Kwik Cricket allows children to develop and learn fundamental skills that can be later nurtured and developed over time.
 
Gareth Dawson, the Cricket Development Officer commented ‘It is great to see so many young girls and boys experiencing cricket and playing with a smile on their face. These weekly training sessions have been very successful and is evident that individuals have really improved in all areas of the game.’
 
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