HELSTON Community College’s talented year seven students have set their eyes on table cricket glory ahead of a once in a lifetime trip to Lord’s this week. 

Eight pupils from the school will make the long journey to the Home of Cricket to compete against 11 other institutions from across the country at 2024 National Table Cricket Finals Day on Thursday, June 27. 

Table cricket is an adapted version of the traditional game, played on a table tennis table, and is much more accessible to young people living with severe physical or learning disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, who have limited opportunities to participate in sport. 

Learning champion Connor Worthington oversees the programme at Helston and believes the children have earned the chance to compete at the world-famous venue. 

“All the kids are really excited, they’ve been going on about it for weeks now,” said Worthington. 

“We’ve gone on a bit of a run, because we went to Truro and Exeter and had a 100 per cent record there, so they're feeling pretty confident going into next week, and they’re all really excited and it's something that kids don't get to do very often, so I've really tried to push for it and get them involved. 

“I'm really looking forward to it. They’re really focused on winning. We've got a couple in the group that have been saying ‘we’re going to go all the way’. It's great that they have those ambitions, and apply that to their sport as well, and hopefully they can take that into the learning at school as well, it's really nice to see.” 

Helston began offering table cricket to their Year 9’s in 2023 before making it available to Year 7’s this year thanks to improved teacher support. 

With approximately 250 students in the year, it proved tricky identifying the pupils who could benefit most from the activity, but Worthington believes they have succeeded in helping those most in need. 

“It’s trying to pick the students out that get forgotten and slip under the radar sometimes,” he said. 

“It’s about identifying them and making sure that they’re also getting the opportunities that maybe other kids are getting who are also more academic. They’ve gained so much from this and it's something that these kids don't get to do very often. 

“They often get left out in PE groups, so it's something that they’ve been able to build together, and they’ve been cheering each other on. It’s great to see them bonding together and really pushing each other on.” 

Much of the Lord’s Taverners’ work in cricket for young people with disabilities is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by the Postcode Active Trust, in addition to support from the ECB and Sport England. 

And Worthington believes the event could provide some life-changing experiences. “I've really pushed them to go on this trip,” he added. 

“A lot of them were getting very nervous about travelling such a long way, but I really wanted them to have this opportunity because they're not going to have this opportunity very often in their education. 

“It's great for them to take this step and then they can build on this throughout their life.” 

The Lord’s Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit www.lordstaverners.org