Despite being located in a low population area, the club – which has been a longstanding Lord’s Taverners Super 1s Hub – serves as a major access route into cricket for young people with disabilities.
And now members of Beaulieu’s Super 1s squad are starting to make a wider impact, with some playing friendly cricket in the club’s Sunday team, others reaching the competitive league Saturday squad, and two becoming fully qualified cricket coaches working with Hampshire Cricket Board (HCB).
Beaulieu CC chairman Ian Bowman says: “Our work with Disability Cricket has been a great success.
“It started in a small way when we were asked if we could provide facilities for an evening coaching session by one of our members, who’s a special needs teacher and had a professional interest. We were pleased to agree as we could see and understand the need, and the enthusiasm of the boys and girls and the HCB coaches was an inspiration.”
He adds: “It’s been a joy for us to see boys from our Super 1s group grow in confidence and succeed on Sundays and then in league cricket. The benefit to them and their families is incalculable.”
As well as demonstrating the club’s commitment to equality, the progress of these players with disabilities has reinforced the club’s status at the heart of its local community.
Beaulieu CC development officer Brian Malone says: “Disability cricket has brought us all closer together.
“We’ve gained new friends, members and people who are willing to give their time to help out at the club when called upon. And our volunteer committee members, welfare officer, ground crew and captains are all spurred on to work diligently to ensure we offer a safe and welcoming environment for all that wish to join us.”
For more information on Disability Cricket, visit: https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/disability-cricket
For more information on Lord’s Taverners and Super 1s, visit: https://www.lordstaverners.org/super1s