The Surrey Visual Impairment team play their matches at Frimley Phoenix Cricket Club located at GU17 9BW and train at a couple of different indoor venues over the winter period. For anyone keen to get involved all the sessions are free and for all cricketers that are B1, B2, B3 or B4 classified.
The team are managed by Gary Dunford and coached by Mark Allen. Gary first became involved with Visually Impaired Cricket in 2012, after his daughter, Storme, developed a passion for the game. Finding little opportunity or awareness locally, Gary approached the Surrey Cricket Foundation and was introduced to Head Coach, Mark Allen, who was in the process of establishing VI Cricket in the county.
In 2014, Gary was recognised for his efforts, being awarded an Outstanding Services to Cricket Award (OSCA) by SCF and a further Disability Sports Award by Surrey Heath Borough Council. Mark is an experienced level 3 and the head coach for the Surrey Visually Impaired Team and also assists with the Surrey Physical and Learning Difficulty Team.
As Blind Cricket England and Wales Head Development Coach, Mark approached the SCF about establishing a VI team for Surrey. Mark's endeavors working with VI cricketers were recognised in 2012, when he came runner up for the National Cricket Coach of the Year award.
2019 was another milestone year for the Surrey VI programme as a second team was introduced. The first team moved into Blind Cricket England & Wales National League with the 2nd team joining the South & West Regional League. With a squad of 28 players Surrey are now one of the largest counties in blind cricket, showcasing that cricket has no boundaries.
In terms of the performance the 1st team had a thrilling 10 wicket win against Yorkshire, and nearly pulled off a dramatic win at home to Lancashire. The 2nd team won the league, and for the 4th consecutive year reached the final of the T20 Cup only losing in the final to Gloucestershire.
There was also international recognition, Darren Paddick was selected for the England tour of India and Sri Lanka whilst Leanne Harvey received the BCEW Women's Player of the Year Award, incredibly this is the 5th year in a row that a Surrey player has won the Women's Player of the Year.
We met up with Darren to speak to him about his journey in cricket from his first experience of playing to making his England debut. You can watch the interview below.
Along with the Surrey CCC VI county squad there are other clubs in the county that cater for VI cricketer. The Surrey clubs, along with the key contact details, that accommodate cricketers who are visually impaired can be seen below;
Frimley Phoenix CC
Hawley Green,
Blackwater,
Camberley,
Surrey,
GU17 9BW
Contact: Gary Dunford
Phone: 07958222414
Email: surreyvicc@gmail.com
Website: http://frimleyphoenixcc.play-cricket.com
Merstham CC
Quality Street,
Merstham,
Surrey,
RH1 3BB
Contact: Dan Fiest
Phone: 07793 952496
Email: feistdaniel@hotmail.com
Valley End Rascals CC
Windlesham Road,
Chobham,
Surrey,
GU24 8SN
Contact: Susan Harrison and Adrian Gale
Phone: 07590 501552
Email: susan.harrison2012@hotmail.co.uk / adriangale@mppnet.co.uk
Gary and Mark also run a Facebook page that will have the latest information around what is coming up for Visually Impaired cricket - See more here -> https://www.facebook.com/surreyvicricket/
If you're interested in taking part in VI cricket or would like more information please contact the SCF at disability@surreycricket.com or contact VI team Manager, Gary Dunford, at surreyvicc@gmail.com or call 07958222414.
Merstham CC
Quality Street,
Merstham,
Surrey,
RH1 3BB
Contact: DanAlong with the Surrey CCC VI county squad there are other clubs in the county that cater for VI cricketer. The Surrey clubs, along with the key contact details, that accommodate cricketers who are visually impaired can be seen below;
Frimley CC
Camberley,
Surrey,
GU16 8PD
Contact: Gary Dunford
Phone: 07958222414
Email: vicricket@frimleycc.co.uk
http://www.frimleycc.co.uk/
Fiest
Phone: 07793 952496
Email: feistdaniel@hotmail.com
Valley End Rascals CC
Windlesham Road,
Chobham,
Surrey,
GU24 8SN
Contact: Susan Harrison and Adrian Gale
Phone: 07590 501552
Email: susan.harrison2012@hotmail.co.uk / adriangale@mppnet.co.uk
Gary and Mark also run a Facebook page that will have the latest information around what is coming up for Visually Impaired cricket - See more here -> https://www.facebook.com/surreyvicricket/
If you're interested in taking part in VI cricket or would like more information please contact the SCF at disability@surreycricket.com or contact VI team Manager, Gary Dunford, at surreyvicc@gmail.com or call 07958222414.
