CHECK THIS OUT!!!!! CLICK HERE
Blind Cricket in New South Wales has traditionally been played in Sydney, and has rarely ventured beyond the boundaries of the Greater Sydney metropolitan area. The Illawarra region has produced some of the finest young talent the game has ever seen, and is currently home to many of the NSW super stars.
Players residing in the Illawarra have long made the tiresome trip to Sydney by train each weekend, to participate in the Blind Cricket NSW's domestic competition. Such players are assigned to local suburban Sydney clubs, such as Burwood and Hills, as an Illawarra team does not exist - UNTIL NOW!
The "Illawarra Vision Impaired Cricket" team, better known as IVIC, was established on the 5th of August 2006. Thus far, the Illawarra club has had a 100% success rate, having only played one game, and crushing Sydney in a historic defeat by 10 runs during a friendly match of Indoor Blind Cricket. The Illawarra players and officials hold their heads high, and proudly march towards victory in 2007.
IVIC has formally made application for affiliated membership with the NSWBCA, and hopes to register in the NSW State Shield competition, commencing in 2007/2008, where they will compete against other regional teams such as Canberra and Sydney.
Currently, IVIC is in negotiations with Wollongong Council to find a permanent home ground for next year. The North Wollongong Indoor Sports Centre has kindly provided its high quality facilities for IVIC's training and Indoor competitions. The Illawarra Vision Impaired Cricket team is proudly sponsored by Truss-T-Frames, who continue their wonderful ongoing support and generous contributions towards the game of Blind Cricket. The IVIC uniforms and official logo were designed by the Logo Man. IVIC's equipment has been graciously donated by the Primary Club of Australia, who have heartwarmingly provided Blind Cricket across the nation with greatly appreciated financial assistance.
Vision Australia in Wollongong have been of great help to IVIC, spreading the word to their clients, and extending a welcome invitation to participate in the new team. Staff at the Vision Australia Wollongong office have attended every IVIC training session and game, and freely give their time and effort to attend meetings with Council and local businesses. Local media outlets such as WIN Television, i98 FM, WAVE FM, Power FM, and the Illawarra Mercury Newspaper, have all assisted in promoting the team and broadcasting match results.
IVIC, affectionately known as the "Illawarra Bats" are still looking for members to join this exciting new team. All people who live in the Illawarra, and are blind or vision impaired are eligible to play for IVIC. Anyone who is not blind or vision impaired, but would like to be part of the team, may register as a volunteer. The sport cannot survive without volunteers to assist with umpiring, scoring, and coaching. IVIC is a family orientated team, and seriously encourages all family members to get involved.
The current team line up consists of Australian Blind Cricket legends Darren Northey and Cameron Roles, backed up by NSW representatives Glen Barwick, Phil Scard, Andy Saliba, Mark Tatnell, Ben Phillips, and Nathan Difford, and strongly supported by rookies Robert Grant, Peter Luvstad, and Gareth Ward. The unbiased umpires are Brad Difford and Neil Phillips, with experienced scorer Clarice Scard.
Or phone Ben Phillips on 0405 346 824