Media Release – 19 October 2011
The Bradman Foundation will host this year’s Dream Cricket event on Friday 28 October at Bowral’s famed Bradman Oval.
Dream Cricket introduces primary school students with a disability to the game of cricket by using a series of activities aimed at teaching skills such as fielding and batting as well as the laws of the game. First held in October 2010 with 80 children, this year’s event has already attracted over 200 children from the Illawarra and Southern Highlands.
“Sir Donald Bradman believed cricket to be the greatest character builder of all sports,” commented Rina Hore, Bradman Foundation Executive Director.
“The Bradman Foundation takes pride in providing cricket activities for young players regardless of their ability or experience” she added.
Dream Cricket was born out of the vision of Doctor Ronald Bigg. Bigg witnessed firsthand the transformation of disabled children who participated in American Miracle League Baseball. In association with the Movement Disorder Foundation, Rotary Southern Highlands and the Bradman Foundation, Bigg made his dream a reality with the inaugural Dream Cricket Day for children with a disability at Bradman Oval in 2010.
All children taking part are provided with an In2 cricket kit from Cricket Australia and are then guided through a series of activities arranged by Cricket NSW and the Bradman Foundation with organisation, supervision and support provided by local Rotary Clubs.
Special guests at the October 2011 event include Paralympic Champion swimmer Annabelle Williams and down syndrome swimming champion Daniel Rumsey who will be there to guide, inspire and help participants on the day.
The positive impact that Dream Cricket provided in 2010 has led Cricket Australia, Cricket NSW, Rotary Australia and the Bradman Foundation to roll the program out nationally and throughout Southern India. Rotary delegations from South Australia, Victoria and India will all be present at the event in order to gain hands on experience.