By Mohamed Hamza

STUDENTS from Helston Community College had a day to remember recently as they travelled to the home of cricket to take part in the Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket Finals.

The Cornwall-based school’s side were one of 12 to compete in the Nursery Pavilion at Lord’s Cricket Ground for the right to call themselves national champions.  

Helston Learning Champion Connor Worthington hailed the sport for its impact on the pupils and already has his sights set on a return in 12 months’ time.

He said: “It has been a really good day. It has been amazing for the kids to see the cricket ground and participate in a sport that they have been practicing for a while. They have given it their best and played really well.

“They wore their hearts on their sleeves and really supported each other. It has been great to see.We have been doing table cricket for two years now. This is the first time we have done it with year sevens, and they have really enjoyed it. it has been a great success.

“They encourage each other which they don’t get to do that much sitting down in classrooms.

"They have been able to support each other throughout the tournament, really cheer each other on, and it has been really great to see their enthusiasm for the game.

“It would be great to be back here next year, that’s what we’re aiming for.”

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.

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.

Watching on at Lord’s were an array of stars, including TV personality and comedian Matt Lucas as well as England and Somerset cricketer Jack Leach.

Leach said: “It’s a pleasure to come down and see everyone enjoying the game. It’s a great game, I had a little go and it’s quite difficult. I enjoyed seeing how competitive everyone is.

"It’s the national finals, it’s great for kids to be able to come here to the home of cricket to play.

“It’s everyone’s dream as a kid to play at Lord’s and for them to be able to do that is very special. We want the game to be accessible to everyone.

"The great work that Lord’s Taverners and the ECB have done to fund this and make it accessible is really special. Everyone deserves that chance, and it is great to see them making the most of it.

”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