Children with special educational needs and disabilities were given the chance to try their hand at cricket this week.
 
Kwik Cricket is a short form of the sport that provides an ideal and fun introduction for children.
 
The Department of Education and Children’s Sports Development Unit organised festivals that allowed children with special needs and disabilities to put in practice many of the key aspects of the sport, such as batting, bowling, throwing, catching and fielding.
 
Prior to the festivals, Manx Sport and Recreation’s community coaches laid on Kwik Cricket training sessions for pupils in primary and secondary special education needs units.
 
Zoe Carney, Disability Sports Development Officer with the DEC, said: “Kwik Cricket allows children to develop movement and coordination skills that can be nurtured and developed.  These festivals as part of the wider Disability Sports Programme for primary and secondary pupils across the Island give children the opportunity to compete and socialise with other schools in a fun and friendly environment.”
 
The Strategy for Sport aims to make more physical activity more accessible to more people.  Improving social inclusion in sport, for those that might otherwise not have the opportunity to take part, increases levels of activity, improves health and builds self-confidence, which is important for physical and mental development.
 
Manx Sport and Recreation would like to thank the Isle of Man Bank for volunteering staff to participate and assist in the delivery of the festivals.