Festival '98 - the first national celebration of visually impaired cricket
League Cricket Review
14 April 1998
Gary O'Neil, a visually impaired cricketer from Chorley in
Lancashire, is currently organising Festival '98, a tournament
that will bring together for the first time eight national
visually impaired cricket clubs. The Festival will be held over
the weekend of Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June at Euxton C.C.
near Leyland. The main sponsor will be British Aerospace and
Aerostructures. The game is played with a specially adapted size
three football filled with ball bearings so that totally blind
players can hear the ball. Larger wickets assist the partially
sighted players to see the wicket when bowling and fielding.
Gary said: ``This festival will give all cricketers a chance to
compete equally in a tournament and to further develop the game
in England and Wales. I also believe that it will be the chance
to promote the game, raise awareness and bring both new players
and interested third parties into our dynamic sport.'' Bob
Bolton, Communications Manager at British Aerospace said: ``We
are delighted to support this event as part of our ongoing
commitment to the local community,'' whilst Alan Lathom,
President of Euxton C.C. commented: ``We are proud and delighted
to be the first hosts of such an historic event for Visually
Impaired cricket. We believe we are on schedule to provide the
correct venue and facilities for the occasion so that both
players and spectators will not be disappointed.'' Gary is still
trying to raise £4,000 of sponsorship to ensure that all costs
are covered for the two days of cricket. He would be delighted
to talk to anybody who is interested in sponsorship or making a
donation towards costs. He can be contacted on 01772 855144.
Source: League Cricket Review
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Date-stamped : 07 Oct1998 - 04:16