By TANIA PHILLIPS
MURWILLUMBAH Rotary has thrown it’s weight behind “Dream Cricket” a program specially developed to enable children with disabilities to take part in cricket.
The club is hoping to run an inaugural “Dream Cricket Day” in Murwillumbah early next year.
The Dream Cricket program, initiated by the Movement Disorder Foundation, is organised by Rotary clubs and conducted by the Bradman Foundation.
The program started in 2010 at the historic Bradman Oval in Bowral NSW with 85 students from 18 schools with varying degrees of disabilities taking part.
Initial concerns of parents that their children may be unable to participate were quelled with the specially designed program suiting all needs, according to Tweed regional co-ordinator Corby Miles.
Miles said the students were enthused and since then with the aid of local Rotary Clubs with support from the Bradman Foundation, Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW the concept is now spreading throughout Australia and internationally.
“Schools in the Northern Rivers NSW and Southern Queensland are hosting clinics with the aim of getting their students to an annual Dream Cricket Day to be held at Murwillumbah early next year,” he said.
“Murwillumbah Rotary Club in partnership with Murwillumbah Cricket club has donated a kit to the Currumbin Special School which is being used regularly by the school who has immediately seen the overall benefits to their students.
“Clinics have also been held at Lismore, Ballina Mudgeeraba and Southport Special School.
“The offer is open to all schools in the Northern region that have a need for such.”
Since the first Dream Cricket Gala Day in 2010 held in Bowral the program has spread all over NSW including Newcastle – Central West – Riverina and Albury Wodonga.
Corby said the program had also reached India, Sri Lanka, and soon to New Zealand and the UK.
“Through the efforts of the Movement Disorder Foundation, Rotary International and local Rotary clubs, the Bradman Foundation, more than 2000 children have experienced Dream Cricket and that number is now growing on a weekly basis,” he said.
Further Details can be obtained from Corby Miles 02 6674 0499, mobile 0408 485 277, or email corby.m@optusnet.com.au
