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