Taverners Victoria continue to fund the following Inclusive Cricket programs and sporting competitions in 2022 and 2023.
Scroll down to view all programs.
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ALL-ABILITIES (ID) CRICKET
MAACA - 5 year Partnership
Our Pledge - $15,000 pa
December 2022-2027
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. In season 2022/23 there are 21 teams within 16 mainstream clubs across Melbourne 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.
With around 300 (ID) players participating, 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 NCIC and go on to urn a 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,
Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association 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
Our Pledge - $5,000 +
Melbourne Deaf Cricket Club has a very proud history dating back to 1880/81 and fields 3 teams in the Eastern Cricket Association. Taverners support helps the club cover expenses to operate and provide necessary equipment while charging its members subsidised rates to compete in one of Victoria’s largest cricket associations.
Along with Cricket Victoria and Deaf Cricket Victoria, Melbourne Deaf provides a vital sporting opportunity and pathway to top level State and International cricket for these players.
Melissa Hale, MDCC secretary, is a passionate advocate for sports inclusion in the Deaf community, regardless of gender or ability. She lead the way for the first All Women's Deaf Cricket division at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in 2020 and is now the Head of Deaf Women's Cricket at Cricket Australia.
“There’s not much that can’t be resolved without genuine inclusion, kindness and recognising the power of belonging to something.”
Melissa Hale,
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. They promote integration with sighted players to break down isolation and work to remove financial barriers that can impact people with limited vision.
"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 - $5,500 +
Scheduled in Brisbane on 5-10 February 2023, after being cancelled for two years due to Covid-19.
The National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) were established by Cricket Australia in 2017, as an annual, combined carnival for cricketers who are Hearing, Vision or Intellectually impaired. 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 $100,000 a year - so that all players have an equal chance to participate. Each player pays the same low amount, regardless of their travel expenses or financial situation. It's a huge honour for these players to represent their state or territory and to strive to become National Champions.
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, Chairperson at Cricket Australia
INDOOR CRICKET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Lord's Taverners Shield
Our Target - $2,500 +
Returning to Melbourne, mid 2022 after a two year disruption due to Covid-19.
The Lord’s Taverners Shield was established In 1994, after Sport Inclusion Australia approached The Taverners to sponsor a new Intellectual Disability (ID) division at the annual Indoor Cricket National Championships.
Our long standing, generous support allows teams of (ID) players compete against each other, along side the other mainstream divisions, at this National Carnival. It’s a fantastic opportunity for these players to participate, make new friends and integrate with all participants at these Championships.
Over 25+ years, Taverners Australia and its Branches have contributed in excess of $500,000 to help over 370 ID Indoor players compete at this event. This Cricket Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia model has become a blueprint for establishing All Abilities inclusion at many other National sports carnivals.
Video action at a Lord’s Taverners Shield 2019 Semi final QLD v WA.
INDIGENOUS
CRICKET
Our Target - $2,500 +
Noogal Toengorrt Tani is a Cricket Victoria program that provides participation and development opportunities for our Indigenous community. Taverners Victoria is helping fund development coaching 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 Hannah Darlington 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.
WOOLWORTHS
Cricket Blast
Woolworths Cricket Blast is a National program for kids of all abilities, aged between 3-8 to learn the basic skills of cricket in a friendly environment.
Taverners Australia have helped fund vouchers that cover up to 80% of the enrollment cost for children with a disability or from low socio-economic backgrounds to register for the Cricket Blast program at a significantly reduced cost.
Help us to support these and other inclusive sporting programs by clicking on the Donate Now button below.
