Not disabled cricketers, just cricketers
England Mixed Disability Head Coach Jason Weaver( pictured right) has been involved with England ' s disability programme since 2023 and has developed a close understanding of how these environments function at their best. As he puts it,“ Players with a disability see themselves as cricketers, and very good cricketers. The disability is secondary.”
Jason has built a strong partnership with captain Callum Flynn, guiding the side to consecutive series victories over India and underlining the continued progress of international mixed disability cricket.
Callum expands on his approach:“ The best coaches are the ones who come in, are themselves, and don’ t treat us like we’ re special. We just want coaches to think,‘ he can play cricket, I just need to coach him cricket’. Coaches don’ t need to worry about a disability because we’ ve gone through so many life experiences that we’ ve learned how to adapt ourselves. I don’ t think a coach has to adapt for a disability athlete.”
Liam O’ Brien has been one of the standout performers across those two series wins against India. He reflects on how the environment within the group has changed his perspective.“ Once you’ re in a team full of people with disabilities, you’ re no longer disabled. I think that sums up exactly who we are as a squad. No one judges. It’ s spoken about openly, and it’ s probably the environment that’ s helped me most in life. It felt like home and quickly became my favourite team to be part of. I love playing for England.”
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We just want coaches to think,‘ he can play cricket.'
England Mixed Disability reflections 3