By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club (FTGCC) is celebrating 15 years of its All Abilities Cricket Program with a special match on Sunday 24 November, at the Olinda Green Sports Oval.
The match will feature the FTGCC All Abilities team against the Research Eltham Collegians Cricket Club (RECCC) All Abilities team.
This event continues the club’s commitment to creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and build community connections – and both clubs are inviting the local community to join the fun and inclusive cricket match between the two clubs.
The club’s All Abilities cricket program began in 2009 and has grown over the years, with a core group of 10 to 15 players returning each season to enjoy the camaraderie and fun of cricket.
The match, which is part of the club’s long-standing All Abilities cricket program, kicks off at 11am and is open to everyone.
This program is one of the the longest-running initiatives of its kind, and it will be a relaxed, non-competitive game designed to provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in cricket, develop skills, and socialise in a friendly, supportive environment.
The coordinator of the All Abilities program at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club Kevin O’Byrne said the program has been running successfully for 15 years.
“We’ve been welcoming players with all kinds of disabilities for over a decade, and it’s been amazing to see the program grow. Right now, we have about 15 players, but we’re always looking for new faces to join,” he said.
The All Abilities cricket program is designed for players with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, with no experience in cricket required.
The game is broken into divisions based on skill level, with Division Three catering to those with more significant disabilities, including mobility challenges, and Division One for players who are more experienced.
“We want to make sure everyone has the chance to play,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“We want to give people with disabilities the same opportunities to enjoy sport and socialise as anyone else in the community.”
Ferntree Gully CC has hosted All Abilities games at their regular home grounds in Ferntree Gully, but this year’s match at Olinda Green was organised by a group of local parents keen to bring the event closer to their homes.
The game is free to attend, and everyone is encouraged to come along and support the players.
The event is part of a wider initiative to raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive sport.
Mr O’Byrne said the program is not only about playing cricket but also about building a community.
“We’ve had players who’ve been with us for years. They keep coming back because they love the camaraderie and the chance to be part of a team,” he said.
The All Abilities program has seen steady growth over the years, with more than 300 players now involved in the Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association, which includes clubs from across Melbourne.
The Ferntree Gully team has played against clubs such as Moorabbin and Brunswick, with games running from October through to March each season.
One of the highlights of the program was being recognised in 2019 with the Best Club-Initiated Program Award for its contribution to the local community and the positive impact it has had on players’ lives.
Mr O’Byrne said he’s hopeful that events like match will inspire more people with disabilities to get involved in cricket.
“The more people we can get playing, the better. Cricket is for everyone,” he said.
The game is free to watch, and anyone interested in joining the All Abilities cricket program is encouraged to attend.
For more information, including details on how to get involved, check out the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club’s website or the flyer with event details.
For players with disabilities, there’s still time to join the team and be part of the game.
