Overview

England Cricket Association for the Deaf (ECAD) seeks sponsorship to be able to deliver a range of cricket opportunities for deaf children and adults through a range of programmes. These include working with deaf children via schools and cricket clubs, supporting local opportunities and supporting those deaf players  to develop their cricket abilities through dedicated coaching within our ECAD Academy programme and dedicated support through pan-disability and deaf international squads.

Deafness – A socially isolating disability

“Hearing loss can affect every aspect of your life, especially the things that are most important to you such as relationships with family, friends or work colleagues. It is no wonder that people who suffer from hearing loss often say they feel isolated from the world going on around them.”

Deaf people need to be able to communicate effectively, access information and influence the world around them by any appropriate method whether through sign language, oral communication or a combination of approaches.

ECAD is aware that the sense of isolation associated with hearing loss can have an adverse impact on the mental health of a deaf person. ECAD looks to offer opportunites for deaf people to come together within cricket context; engaging in the physical activity, social, coaching and officiating aspects of cricket

The challenges deaf people face playing cricket

Creating a positive environment for Deaf people to play cricket is not about physical adaptations to the game but addressing the fact that Deaf people face a range of communication challenges faced on and off the pitch. This often leads to Deaf people feeling isolated and excluded missing out on the opportunity to participate, develop and grow through cricket.

Communication is the biggest barrier that has impact on Deaf people when playing sport and within cricket this means that many Deaf cricketers are often missing out on the opportunity to interact positively with coaches and players, which means that they are unable to develop and progress in the sport without significant challenges. 

What difference can ECAD make?

ECAD was established in 2002 and become a fully fledged charity in 2019 with a mission to promote cricket for deaf people in England and the UK.

Our wider aims are to be the central point for all stakeholders in deaf cricket and to encourage participation and enjoyment of the game of cricket from the playground to the international arena.

We have a close relationship with the ECB who are responsible for the elite deaf player pathway and we are responsible for creating more participation opportunities for deaf players with our cricket partners including clubs, county cricket boards and schools.

Vision and Objectives

ECAD's charitable objectives are the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation in particular by the provision of facilities for the playing and the development of Deaf Cricket for the benefit of persons who have need of such facilities due to a hearing disability.

The ECAD's Code of Conduct states “All members should treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference, political belief, ability, nature of hearing loss and form of communication”.