The National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) are back this week in Brisbane to bring together Australia’s most talented cricketers with disabilities, after a two-year absence due to COVID-19. Sixteen teams will represent their states and territories in three divisions, including blind or low vision, deaf and hard of hearing and cricketers with intellectual disabilities. The week-long T20 format tournament will take place at Marchant Park from 5-10 February.
New South Wales holds the reigning title in both the men’s blind or vision impaired and deaf and hard of hearing divisions. Meanwhile, Victoria will look to defend their 2020 national title in the men’s cricketers with intellectual disabilities division. In 2020, Victoria’s deaf women’s team defeated South Australia in the Combined Deaf All Stars exhibition match, which consisted of the best deaf cricketers from across the country.
For the first time, players from ACT and TAS will join forces in a combined team in the blind or vision impaired division. This year, 10 women will play across six teams in the blind or vision impaired division, and all players will compete for national selection in the Australian inclusion teams. The Australia Blind team will immediately begin preparations for the 2023 IBSA Games in August in Birmingham, UK.
With support from CommBank, the principal partner of Cricket Australia’s A Sport for All program, and Taverner’s Australia, the NCIC forms part of Australian cricket’s elite development pathway, with the aim of increasing representation of cricketers with disabilities at the highest level in Australia. Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Events & Operations, Joel Morrison, said, “The NCIC is part of Australian cricket’s vision to be a sport for all that makes Australians proud and our ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for everyone in the game.”
The return of the NCIC offers top talent from across Australia the opportunity to compete and showcase their skills, inspiring people from all walks of life to pick up a bat and ball and give cricket a try. The NCIC is an important representative pathway for cricketers with disabilities and is a crucial step in making cricket a sport for all in Australia.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
The National #Cricket Inclusion Championships are back in #Brisbane to bring together Australia’s most talented cricketers wt disabilities, after a 2-year absence due to COVID-19. 16 teams will represent their states & territories in 3 divs. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/Od8OPPaU7E
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) February 5, 2023
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
