DEVON captain Chris Bradley is supporting a special needs cricket competition organised in memory of a former workmate.Bradley, who works in the special needs education sector, is one of the organisers of the Charles Hackett Cricket Festival.
Hackett, a former headmaster and latterly school inspector, died suddenly earlier this year. He was an ex-1st and 2nd XI captain at South Devon CC.
Seven schools are taking part in the tournament, which is being hosted by Bradley’s own club Bovey Tracey this Friday (June 21).
The schools are: Ratcliffe (Dawlish), Southcombe College (Exeter), Coombe Pafford (Torquay), Barley Lane, Ellen Tinkham (both Exeter), Oaklands Park (Dawlish) and Mayfield (Torquay).
Coaches from the Devon Cricket Board will be tutoring the students – of both sexes – before the eight-a-side tournament stars.
“Matt Cooke and his team of coaches will be spending some time with the students to give them some of the basics,” said Bradley.
“Cricket is a sport that can be fun and accessible to everyone and we hope this festival will demonstrate that.
“Charlie Hackett was a massive cricket fan and if we can make this an annual tournament I am sure he would have approved.”
The action starts at Bovey around 11am and is due to finish at approximately 2pm. The David Shepherd Foundation are supporting the event financially.