Students push the boundaries

Our University Centre Sport students have launched a programme to enhance access and inclusion in sport through cricket sessions.

The programme has enabled the students to learn how to adapt the version of cricket, which is specifically designed to give young people with a disability the chance to play and compete in the sport. It provided Sport students with the opportunity to work with young disabled people and provided the invaluable hands-on experience of being involved in a sporting event.

The six-week cricket programme has been shown to develop teamwork, co-ordination, cognitive and social skills amongst our Learning for Living and Work (LfLW) students. The LfLW department supports students with learning disabilities or difficulties to prepare them for independent living or supported employment.

Jessica Sutton, a BA (Hons) in Sport, Physical Education and Health student, said: “The programme was created to develop youth skills development, challenge boundaries and create social cohesion amongst participants.

“The programme has helped us learn how to adapt and tailor sports to include students with learning disabilities and gave us an insight into creating future opportunities in sports for these individuals. It has helped me widen my knowledge in sport through adapting sessions to suit different needs and made me take note that more needs to be done to provide inclusive sporting opportunities for children with disabilities, as everyone should be able to access sports.”

Lliam Dickinson, Sport HE Pathway Leader at College, added: “Sport students had to develop their own sporting programme to enable them to develop their self-confidence, leadership skills and enhanced their future employment prospects.

“Encouraging students to run sports programs for peers with learning disabilities fosters inclusivity, empathy, and leadership, enriching both the participants and the organisers alike.”