Community Bank helps visually impaired people play cricket

Blind Bats Inc bring people with various disabilities together to play organised team activities through an all-ability sporting activity program. They introduce people who are often house bound to an active and healthier lifestyle, and give them an opportunity to gain confidence, experience a leadership role, and learn new skills.

Their program includes a beep cricket competition for people who are blind or visually impaired. Based on the traditional rules of cricket, bowling is underarm, totally blind players have runners and the ball is audible.

The beeping cricket ball is an essential piece of adaptive technology in the sport. It allows people with a disability to track the ball by sound during the game.

The original ball, filled with ball bearings or bells, ceased making an audible cue once it stopped moving in the field. The President of Blind Bats came up with the idea of a continuous beeping ball. However, it was difficult to put an electronic device into a ball that could repeatedly withstand being hit by a cricket bat, whilst keeping the ball at a reasonable weight and size.

Protypes of the new balls were produced from funding raised by Blind Bats and the donation of in-kind support from other partners. However more support was required to progress the protypes to a commercialised version suitable for competitions.

Community Bank Samford jumped on board with a grant, recognising the growing number of members keen to play beep cricket and the positive social outcomes that Blind Bats provide.

The Community Bank’s support will reduce the production cost of the ball from approximately $450 to $90 and will help more teams get into the competition.

Senior Branch Manager, Mandy Bell said that they are proud to support the Beeping Cricket Balls initiative.

“It’s an innovative, inclusive project that breaks down barriers, promotes equal participation, and brings people together through sport, she said.

Apply for community investment funding with Community Bank Samford.