A KENDAL school went to Lord's for the Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket Finals Day on Friday (9 June).

Cambian Whinfell School specialises in offering educational services to young men aged 11-19 who have autism, Asperger's or other similar disabilities, and fought their way to a place for Finals Day at Lord’s on Friday.

Out of thousands of youngsters competing, only ten schools got to go to the final. 

Paddy Sandham, the school’s principal, said: “After Covid, this is the first year that we’re back playing sports against other schools and we were invited to take part in the table cricket competition.

“The children are just so surprised at how well they’ve done. It’s quite difficult for them to get out and about and they find social situations very challenging. The fact that they’ve been mixing with other young people, it’s given them a huge sense of wellbeing and confidence.

“They’re more than excited to head to Lord’s. They’re going to have to leave very early on Friday to get down there, but they just can’t believe that they’re having the opportunity to play at Lord’s."

The ten regional finals, where young people with disabilities from across 34 counties and Scotland played, included competitions at venues such as Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Headingley.

Mr Sandham said: "To be able to go out and win these competitions, and then get to the national final at Lord’s, they’re just thrilled.

“They’re a lot more resilient now, the fact that they’ve been going out and playing the competition, they understand that there are times that they will lose, but they can overcome that and keep going."

The Lord’s Taverners is a charity working across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities.