Walking cricket is a first for Yorkshire
Thu 20th April 2017
New walking cricket sessions launched in the East Riding are helping men and women aged 50 and over to access the sport regardless of ability.
The East Riding has become the first region in Yorkshire to offer walking cricket following the success of other walking sports such as football and netball launched by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Sport, Play and Arts Service.
Walking cricket, which is played with adapted rules on an indoor pitch, aims to help people improve their fitness, get back into the game, or just have some fun and make new friends.
Councillor Richard Harrap, council portfolio holder for adult and carer services, said: “It has been fantastic to see how the introduction of walking sports to the East Riding has really benefitted participants, especially those who otherwise might not have had the chance to access a sport.
“Walking sports have the power to improve people’s mobility and fitness levels while helping to tackle social isolation, and with the cricket season almost upon us what better time to give something like walking cricket a go.”
The sessions, which are supported by the Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB), are held at East Riding Leisure Haltemprice on Monday afternoons, 1-2pm, with the next session due to take place on Monday, 24 April.
Please note that the sessions on 8 and 15 May will start a little earlier, at 12noon-1pm, but the sessions will revert to the normal time of 1-2pm from 22 May onwards.
The sessions are led by community sports coach and Stamford Bridge cricketer Dominic Rhodes who added: “I have wanted to get walking cricket started in the region for a little while so it is great to finally see this idea come to fruition and start to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of participants.
“I would encourage anyone who wants to find out more or give it a go to come along to one of the sessions and join in the fun.”
For further information or to book onto the sessions call Dominic Rhodes on (01482) 392529 or 07881 843197 or email dominic.rhodes@eastriding.gov.uk
