Devon Cricket Board - Olympic torch honour for Sprung

Olympic torch honour for Sprung

DISABILITY cricketer Perry Sprung was one of the runners carrying the Olympic torch through Plymouth yesterday (May 19) on the first leg of its journey to the games.

The chance to run with the torch was recognition for Sprung’s hard work setting up Devon’s first disability cricket team.

Sprung, who is 41 and from Torquay, suffered severe back and pelvis injuries in a fall from scaffolding some years ago.

Two years ago, whilst recovering from his injuries, Sprung was watching cricket and realised that there wasn’t a disability team in his county.

Sprung was determined, with the help of the local cricket board and funding from a variety of sources, to set up Devon’s first disability cricket team.

He has created a team which has welcomed dozens of people ranging in age from 10-years-old to over 60. The club is aimed at players who are deaf, blind or have learning disabilities.

There has been such a demand to join the team the club are expanding to other parts of Devon so that everyone who wants to play cricket can do so.

Despite only playing their first competition a year ago, the team has already been successful.

‘We finished fourth in our first competition and our team were named national indoor deaf cricket champions this year,’ said Sprung

‘Three of our guys play in the national squads for their disabilities and we’ve had players represent England at the Deaf Ashes and in the first international disabled cricket series in Dubai.’

As well as getting people involved in cricket, there have been some more practical spin-offs.

‘We have up four coaches and they have achieved their level two disability cricket coaching award,’ said Sprung.

‘Some of these guys had been unemployed for a long time but on the back of the coaching qualifications they have now found paid work.’

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773