On World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate the wonderful community cricket clubs, coaches and volunteers supporting West Australians with Autism to get involved in their local cricket club.
In partnership with WA Cricket and the Autism Association of Western Australia, the Autism in Cricket program gives clubs the power to take the estimated one in 100 Australians with Autism off the sidelines and into the game.
Autism in Cricket ambassador Adam Gilchrist says it’s vitally important to show young cricketers that anyone can make it in our national game.
“We’ve got some wonderful coaches who are cricket coaches but have also done the training and have all the resources to know that they can now coach players with Autism,” he said.
“These clubs are such an integral part of the community and to know that some people feel like they’re excluded, it’s a program like this that breaks those barriers down.”
As Autism is a hidden disability, it can be hard for players to join a community club in mainstream teams with some parents concerned their child won’t be included or understood.
There are currently 11 endorsed Autism Inclusive Clubs throughout WA, backed by a team of specialists at the Autism Association who work directly with individuals and families to find the cricket club that best suits their needs.
“All of us that aren’t from families with children with Autism, there’s no doubt we’re better people once we learn a little more about it, try and skill ourselves up and create an inclusive environment,” Gilchrist said.
To learn more about the Autism in Cricket program click here.
To celebrate World Autism Week the Autism Association has a range of initiatives taking place to ignite change in the WA community to make the world a more inclusive place for all.
Clubs and the local community can join in the Light Up the Spectrum initiative by visiting the map.
