General Development Work
One of BCEW’s biggest responsibilities & priorities is to promote and work towards the development of new clubs and opportunities, to enable anyone who wishes to to be able to play visually impaired cricket.
The charities Development Director John Garbett is currently working with a number of counties to either grow their current blind cricket provision or to set up a development programme within their county. This work is possible thanks to the kind funding BCEW receives for this purpose from The Primary Club.
BCEW Johnners Trust Development Festival
Since 2010 BCEW has staged an annual development festival for new or developing players & clubs. The initial event took place in York but since 2011 the festival has been held at Leicester University. Taking place every September the tournament featured eight teams every year until 2015 when it grew to its current number of ten.
Whilst there is a winner of the Festival & Player of the Tournament trophies are given out in four categories, the most important parts of the event are good sportsmanship, teams & players meeting opposition they wouldn’t see during the rest of the year & all participants enjoying the weekend. Staging the Festival is only possible thanks to the generous funding we receive for it from The Johnners Trust.
UK Women’s VI Cricket
Since the start of 2015 BCEW have been developing a womens team with players from all around the country. This side played its first fixture at the end of the 2015 season using the international ball and have played multiple friendly matches every year since. The programme also involves regular training sessions both regional and national.
The Primary Club are funding the UK Womens VI Cricket Team itself and The Johnners Trust are funding a regional women and girls development programme, BCEW thank both for their invaluable support.