Newton Bridge crowned national champions at Lord’s Cricket Ground

Newton Bridge Academy enjoyed a day they will never forget as they travelled to London to compete in the Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket Finals.

Our pupils were crowned national champions in the Nursery Pavilion at Lord’s Cricket Ground, finishing top of 11 competing schools.

Assistant Headteacher Ollie Maltby paid an emotional tribute to the team following their dramatic victory in the final, which secured the Academy’s first national title.
“I’m incredibly proud because every player in the squad deserves this success. They’ve worked so hard for it,” he said. “It’s an amazing feeling for them. Their commitment has been outstanding, and seeing the smiles on their faces is what makes me proudest – that’s all I could ask for.”

Table cricket is a fully inclusive and adapted version of the sport, designed for young people with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities. Teams of six aim to avoid fielders and score runs by hitting designated zones, with the ball delivered via a ramp and the game played on a table tennis table.

The sport offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to build friendships and develop important life skills such as confidence and independence, while also promoting leadership and teamwork in a competitive setting.

In a tense final, opponents Suffolk One Sixth Form College from Ipswich launched a late surge, scoring 30 runs in the final over. However, Newton Bridge held their nerve to secure a dramatic one-run victory.

Lord’s Taverners President and former England captain David Gower (pictured below) attended the event at the Home of Cricket. He said: “It’s fantastic that students have the chance to play this version of the game here at Lord’s. The spirit in which the matches have been played has been wonderful to see. The Lord’s Taverners do incredible work, and I’m proud to be involved.”

Much of the Lord’s Taverners’ work supporting young people with disabilities in cricket is made possible through funding raised by Postcode Lottery players and distributed by the Postcode Active Trust, alongside support from the ECB and Sport England.

[Photo Credits: Simon Williams]