Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association
Overview
The Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association was created to give people with intellectual disabilities a chance to play the great game of cricket.
The Melbourne All Abilities Association (MAACA) was borne out of a desire to provide the opportunity for people of all backgrounds with an intellectual disability to be involved in the wonderful game of cricket.
The idea of a structured All Abilities cricket program stems back to the early 2000’s when a small group of cricket clubs in the south-east of Melbourne decided to hold a semi-formal competition amongst themselves for players with an Intellectual Disability. The games and rules were modified so that all players, irrespective of their Disability were able to successfully play a game of competition cricket. This format enabled more players to successfully participate with the main focus being “Inclusion for All”. Over the next decade the word of this new All Abilities cricket program had spread to such an extent across Melbourne that it became clear a more formalised cricket association needed to be created.
In 2015, with some assistance from Cricket Victoria, the first formal All Abilities cricket association in Australia (MAACA) was established to oversee the development of this aspect of the game. Since then, MAACA has continued to grow with such popularity that it currently boast 16 clubs (24 teams) and over 300 players across the Greater Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat & Bendigo areas………and growing!
MAACA has three divisions which range from high performance (Division 1 and Division 2) to Division 3 which caters for entry level participants. The key to MAACA success is that each division’s format focuses on inclusion and providing an opportunity for every All Abilities player to successfully participate in playing cricket.
About
Simplified Text
For the past few years, some clubs have been running a semi-formal competition for players with intellectual disabilities. The games use modified rules so that more people can join in. These players might not have had the chance to play in the regular cricket season.
With help from Cricket Victoria, a proper association has been set up to oversee this part of the game.
There are three divisions: Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3. Divisions 1 and 2 play by the same rules, and teams can move up or down like in regular cricket. Division 3 has its own rules to suit the players' abilities. Game schedules and standings are posted on the My Cricket website, which all teams and players can see. The games are scheduled for Sundays to avoid clashing with regular club competitions. Like the regular competition, players can progress. They could join the Victorian All Abilities squad and even play for Australia as part of the Harmony in Cricket Program. The Association is committed to helping these players reach their full potential.
Visit: Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association - MAACA
Contact your nearest club for more information:
- Research Eltham Collegians Cricket Club: [email protected]
- Bendigo Lions CC: [email protected]
- Moorabbin Cricket Club: [email protected]
- Carrum Downs Cricket Club: [email protected]
- North Ballarat Cricket Club: [email protected]
- Ferntree Gully Cricket Club: [email protected]
- Brunswick Cricket Club: [email protected]
- Melton Cricket Club: Stephan Lalli-Cafini