Taverners Victoria fund the following Inclusive Cricket programs and sporting competitions in 2024/25.
Scroll down to view all programs.
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ALL-ABILITIES (ID) CRICKET
MAACA - 3 year Partnership
Our Pledge - $15,000 p.a.
For seasons 2022/23 -2024/25
The Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association promote and run a 3-tiered competition for cricketers with an Intellectual Disability (ID) to compete against each other.
Over it's 15 year history MAACA has grown from 4 teams to over 300 players within 16 mainstream clubs across Melbourne, Geelong and Central Victoria.
MAACA has set a target to grow by adding 2 new Clubs a season over the next 5 years to met the demand for young ID people looking for sporting opportunities.
Sponsor a MAACA Player
It costs just $60 to sponsor a MAACA Player, it's tax deductible and takes less than a minute on our Sponsor a MAACA Player gofundme.com page.
MAACA needs these funds for training ID cricket coaches, subsidising player match fees, equipment, club uniforms and helping to support clubs to successfully integrate MAACA teams both socially and financially.
MAACA commenced in 2015 and provides invaluable opportunities for these players to develop their cricket abilities in a safe and integrated social environment.
The best performing players can be selected in the Victorian Vikings team to represent Victoria at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships and go on to earn the coveted Baggy Green cap and represent Australia.
MAACA is striving to grow the number of participating clubs and teams each year to provide more ID sporting opportunities.
“It's about equality. - These guys love playing cricket ... to wear the club colours, that's the best thing about it.“
Stephen Lefebvre,
MAACA President
The Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association (MAACA) Division 1 Grand Final, 14 March 2021 between Williamstown and Croydon North CCs.
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
Cricket
Melbourne Deaf Cricket Club has had a very proud history dating back to 1880/81 and until recently, fielded 3 teams in the Eastern Cricket Association. The Club expanded it's inclusive policy to welcome girls and women's teams through the work of couple James and Melissa Hale.
Melissa led the way for the first All Women's Deaf teams competing at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in 2020.
Melissa's drive has increased the numbers of women who are Deaf or Hard of hearing to compete at the NCICs. The Victorian Women were Champions for the 2nd year in a row in 2025 and the Men's team completed a 3-peat at the 2025 National titles.
Taverners support helps all players who are Deaf / HoH to compete at the NCIC regardless of their financial circumstances. From there, the best of these players can earn selection for their country at International level Deaf Cricket.
“There’s not much that can’t be resolved without genuine inclusion, kindness and recognising the power of belonging to something.”
Melissa Hale,
Ex Head of Deaf Women's Cricket
at Cricket Australia
BLIND AND LOW VISION
Cricket
Our Target - $5,000 +
The Victorian Blind Cricket Association in Melbourne was formed in 1922 and is the birthplace of Blind Cricket. The VBCA provide the opportunity for Blind and Vision Impaired people to learn and play Blind Cricket. With a long and proud tradition and highly dedicated players, the VBCA need help to continue and grow.
Key objectives for the VBCA are:
- To establish a Womens Program with the aim to have a Womens team at the NCICs.
- Expand the Mens program through specialist marketing and the newly established Junior program in Donvale that runs for 14 weeks.
- The VBCA must compete with the rapid expansion of other Blind sports and needs support to attract new players.
- Make their programs more affordable for people with restricted income capacity.
2-3 Interstate carnivals a year feature on the VBCA calendar along with the National Championships in January or February.
They also hold matches hosted against sighted Cricket Clubs to break down isolation and reduce overall costs that can increase participation for people with limited vision.
The VBCA forms the pathway to inclusion and the chance to progress and represent Australia on the world stage. It's a wonderful achievement to see what these vision impaired athletes can do.
"The amount of people that have come through blind cricket and it’s changed their life for the better, the numbers just grow and grow.”
Stephen Palmer, Australian Blind Cricket All-Rounder
THE NATIONAL
Cricket Inclusion Championships
Our Target - $10,000 +
Held again in Brisbane from 19 - 25 January 2025.
The National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) were established by Cricket Australia in 2017, as an annual, combined carnival for cricketers who are Deaf or Hard of hearing, Blind or Low vision or live with an Intellectual disability.
The tournament showcases the skills of these players and the growth of inclusive cricket across Australia, particularly in female participation.
Taverners Australia are an Official Charity Partner of Cricket Australia and contribute $120,000 a year - so that all players have an equal chance to participate.
It's a huge honour for these players to represent their state or territory, to strive to become National Champions and the chance to play for their Country.
Taverners Victoria raise funds for the NCIC through the annual Taverners 'Sporting Chance' Raffle.
Clubs and other charitable organisations can fundraise via the Taverners Raffle and earn 80% of the sale proceeds for their Club/Organisation. Click here to learn more.
The best NCIC players may then be selected to represent Australia on the world stage in their relevant divisions.
“It’s about giving people with a disability the chance to be included, respected and acknowledged for their skills and dedication.”
Earl Eddings, past Chairperson of Cricket Australia
INDIGENOUS
CRICKET
Noogal Toengorrt Tani is a Cricket Victoria program that provides participation and development opportunities for our Indigenous community. Taverners Victoria is in discussions with Cricket Victoria over funding assistance for a squad of talented players to prepare for the National Indigenous Cricket Championships held in Alice Springs each year.
Indigenous players are making their mark at the top level of Australian cricket, Scott Boland, Ashleigh Gardner, D’arcy Short and Ella Hayward to name a few.
Indigenous participation in cricket will only continue to improve with more players breaking into international and top level, domestic cricket in Australia.
