Bishop's Stortford College Supports Saint Lucia Blind Cricket
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Contact: Julita Peter
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 – It was an historic day for a visiting delegation from the English-based Bishop's Stortford College on Monday April 7th, when they teamed up with the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association Cricket Team, for a blind cricket match.
The team comprising fifteen boys and three officers, were playing the game for the very first time. The English players, who are not visually impaired, were blindfolded during the match. The decision to play with blindfolds was expressly that of the team, that wanted an insight into the experience of the blind.
Bishop's Stortford College is one of the leading UK Independent day and boarding schools for children aged 4 to 18 years. The two-day visit by the Stortford team was welcomed by the Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association Anthony Avril, who also lamented the lack of appreciation for blind cricket locally. Mr Avril said it is a real struggle to develop blind cricket in the Caribbean.
“We are continuing with it nonetheless, as we believe that's the way to go. We know the value of sports to the rehabilitative process. It has helped to lift their self self-esteem. We have players who have played for the West Indies Blind Cricket team. It offers them an opportunity to play outdoor competitive sports. Cricket is the lifeline of the West Indies,” Avril explained.
The Stortford College team further demonstrated their appreciation for blind cricket, by donating a cheque of over Two Thousand Eastern Caribbean dollars to the association.
“We did not want to come on tour and play cricket, go to the beach, thinking we have seen most of the island. We have done some fund rising from individuals, parents and events from a 24-hour marathon. We would like to present you with at least 500 pounds, which I think your association could make good use of,” said Matthew Drury, head of the visiting delegation.
The St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association has organized several blind cricket matches locally, and was represented at the West Indies Blind Cricket Tournament in March 2008, in Trinidad and Tobago. |
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