TOMORROW, Dream Cricket finally becomes a reality.
Over 150 year three to seven students with disabilities will gather tomorrow at Wade Park for the inaugural central western dream cricket day.
Set to provide students with an opportunity to participate in cricket activities modified to ensure they are able to achieve sporting success, dream cricket day is based largely on a similar program dubbed ‘miracle baseball’ in America.
Murray Paterson of Orange Daybreak Rotary Club said the basic aim was to help kids enjoy themselves, as well as pick up the skills involved with cricket like catching, batting, bowling and throwing.
“The aim is to teach the kids some modified skills of the game,” Mr Paterson said.
“It’s adapted to meet the ability of the kids. It’s a bit like the Paralympics.”
Each student will receive a participation medal at the conclusion of the day.
Dream Cricket Foundation patron and former prime minister John Howard has been invited to attend.
An initiative of Rotary and Cricket Australia, tomorrow’s sport type activities are organised by the combined Rotary clubs and supported by the Movement Disorder Foundation, the Bradman Foundation, the NSW and Orange District Cricket Association and Orange City Council.
The only other dream cricket day held prior to tomorrow’s action at Wade Park was at the spiritual home of one of cricket’s icons, the Bradman Oval at Bowral.
Rick McCarthy from the Bradman Foundation will be on hand for the clinics in Orange.
“We’ve had a few practice sessions and the aim is to do it every year,” Mr Paterson added.
Students from as far as Bathurst, Blayney and Parkes will join those from Orange for the day.
It starts at 10.30am at Wade Park.