England Learning Disability Squad has a new cricket captain!
NEWLY appointed England Learning Disability squad cricket captain, Chris Edwards has spoken of his delight after being named an ambassador for a UK-wide campaign ahead of leading the team out for the 1st time in Australia. The 22 year old from Wallasey on the Wirral is 1 of 13 high performance athletes who have been selected as ambassadors for the UK Sports Association's project, My Sport, My Voice! The announcement comes as Edwards is about to about to captain England for the 1st in the Inas International Cricket Series against Australia; a 6 match series Down Under.
Edwards said:- "It's an honour to be selected as an
ambassador for the My Sport, My Voice! campaign as this gives me a platform to
promote Learning Disability Cricket and encourage other people with a learning
disability to play the sport I love. The Inas International Cricket series is an
exciting opportunity to not just play Australia in Australia, but to also look
to beat them. This tour, like all tours is important to concentrate on just
playing to the best of our ability. It is an honour to be able to play for
England and travel the world playing cricket."
Thanks to funding from Spirit of 2012, a trust set up to sustain the spirit and
opportunities from the London 2012 Games, My Sport, My Voice! is raising the
profile of the UK's elite athletes with learning disability by providing a
platform to showcase their sporting achievements and inspire others to succeed.
The Athlete Ambassadors who are leading the project have all excelled in their
chosen sport at the highest level and have been chosen from each country of the
UK.
As well as playing, Edwards coaches schools and clubs on the Wirral for Cheshire
Cricket Board. Gareth Moorhouse, Marketing and Communications Manager of CCB
paid tribute to Edwards. He said:- "It will come as no surprise to members
of the Cheshire Cricket family that the inspirational Chris has been selected as
a My Sport, My Voice! Ambassador. As England Learning Disability captain and a
professional ECB Level 3 coach, Chris ignites a passion for cricket in everyone
he meets. Chris is the perfect role model to support such a fantastic national
initiative and we are enormously proud to call him both our colleague and our
friend."
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive at the UK Sports Association said:- "We
are thrilled to be able to reveal Chris as one of our 13 Athlete Ambassadors. He
is playing cricket at the highest level and has some incredible experiences to
share, both in and out of the sporting arena. My Sport, My Voice! provides a
platform for our Athlete Ambassadors to share those experiences, to inspire
others and to raise the profile of athletes with learning disability. The
athletes are at the very centre of the project and are looking forward to having
their voices heard. We wish Chris and the team every success in Australia."
Debbie Lye, Chief Executive at Spirit of 2012 said:- "My Sport, My Voice!
is all about creating a positive, lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games
through challenging perceptions of disability through the efforts of some
fantastic athletes. We are delighted to fund this project and many others which
empower people to get out, be involved and feel better."
Ian Martin, Head of Disability Cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board,
added:- "I am delighted to hear the exciting news Chris has been selected
as an Ambassador for the My Sport, My Voice! campaign. Chris is a wonderful
leader, cricketer, sportsman and teammate and thoroughly deserve this honour.
The boys are currently in Australia preparing for the Inas International series
against Australia, starting next week, which is always a big challenge for an
English Cricket Team taking on Australia on their home soil. The squad are
looking good and have been working very hard in preparation for this tour, which
will be a very important and exciting series for Chris who will lead the squad
as Captain for the 1st time."
Inas International Cricket Series begins on Tuesday, 17 March 2015, in Melbourne, with the 1st of 2 Twenty20 matches before 4 1 Day Internationals. To find out more about My Sport, My, Voice! you can visit the project's website.
