In just two seasons, Cornwall has built a disability cricket pathway that is already changing lives, reshaping expectations, and setting new standards for inclusion.
“The whole programme wouldn’t have started without funding from the Lord’s Taverners,” says Joe. “Their support allowed us to go into school networks for SEND coaching, which then fed into club-based Super 1s hubs. We now have four Super 1s hubs, and we’ve consolidated that into a county base at the Cornwall Cricket Centre.”
In 2023, an initial series of hardball taster sessions quickly helped to identify a group of cricketers who wanted to play more seriously. Their coaching continued throughout the 2023/24 winter. Then, in 2024, trial fixtures against the likes of Somerset helped Cornwall officials realise their team was close to the required standard for Super 9s cricket.
In summer 2025, Cornwall entered the Disability Super 9s, winning the South West League title, finishing third nationally, and scooping the BBC Make a Difference Award (Active) at an awards evening in Falmouth.
“The growth has been amazingly quick,” says Joe. “At no stage did we think we’d have a disability county side within two years. Initially, we were content with the Super 1s programme and hoped players would continue their journey into club cricket and ECB Champion Clubs.
“But the growth of our disability Super 9s and the ability of the players has been brilliant. I’d say the growth, which has been entirely driven by passionate volunteers, is two or three years ahead of schedule.”
Now, with a squad of 20 players on board and new expressions of interest being regularly received, Joe and his team are starting to look towards the future.
“Sustainability is our priority,” he says. “Players who already play mainstream league cricket on Saturdays now want to join our Super 9s side, which is great. We’re also gaining more volunteers from the disability community.”
He adds: “We want to ensure equity across the whole programme. We also want to work closely with the ECB on increasing funding, because if cricket is to be truly the most inclusive team sport, then this area shouldn’t be neglected.”
Joe reserves his ultimate praise for the sacrifices made by countless people to keep things moving forward.
“None of this would happen without the passion of volunteers, managers, and coaches,” he says, “and we’re incredibly grateful too to parents and carers for their commitment. Cornwall is a long way from anywhere, so involvement comes with significant personal cost. Their support is vital – and we appreciate every bit of it.”
For more information on Disability Cricket, visit: https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/disability-cricket
For more information on Lord’s Taverners, visit: https://www.lordstaverners.org/