Fairfax Table Cricket team aim for the top – A dedicated team of table cricketers are hoping to hit the opposition for six when they visit the home of cricket for the finals of a national schools competition.
Established by the Lord’s Taverners, the Table Cricket competition brings together schools from across the UK to compete in regional heats, before progressing to the national finals – at Lords Cricket Ground on the 27th June.
And representing the West Midlands this year are a team of brilliant youngsters from Fairfax, who are bowled over to be attending the final for the third year in a row.
Hoping for a good innings this year are thirteen-year-olds Anna Williams and Kassey Winters, Jorah Malhi (15), Cao Tran (16) and Sam Stinson (17). Also returning to play are two former team members who have just left the school’s sixth form, Joal Phillips and Humzah Mudhir, both aged 18.
Cao explained the rules of table cricket. He said: “You have two teams – one batting and one fielding. When you’re batting, you take it in turns to bat the ball on the table. You can’t hit it too hard – if you do it’s called ballistic hitting, and you lose points.
“When you’re fielding, you spread out around the table and try to block the ball with the fielders.”
After years of playing together, the Fairfax team have a strong grasp of the rules and strategies required to win.
Anna said: “We’ve played the regionals and won, so we had to win twice to qualify for the finals. We travelled to Edgbaston cricket ground, and now we’re going to Lord’s – it’s really exciting!”
Teaching assistant Tracey Taylor, who specialises in PE, said the Fairfax Table Cricket team were looking forward to the trip to London.
She said: “It’s great that table cricket is going to the home of cricket. Lords will be a very full day – we’ll be out from 6 am to 7.30 pm!
“But the finals are very well-organised, and there are usually celebrities there too – last year we had David Gower.”
The thrill of the finale is a familiar feeling for Sam.
He said: “I’ve been to a tournament at Lords before and it was amazing – there were teams getting together from all over the country.”
It’s that team atmosphere which makes table cricket such an exciting and rewarding sport to play. At Fairfax, it has fostered a tight-knit, supportive team who otherwise might not have known each other.
Kassey, the newest recruit to the team, was given a warm welcome when she joined. She said: “I started this year and I’m really enjoying it. The others have been helping me get used to it!”
Jorah said: “I’ve been playing table cricket at Fairfax for two years. The best thing about it is that anyone can play. It’s fun to be part of the team.”
The power of sport to unite people shines through at Fairfax.
Tracey said: “It’s lovely to see how they have moved through school together as a team. Because they’re all from different years, in normal school life they wouldn’t necessarily have bumped into each other, so it’s nice for them all to come together for table cricket.
“We have a great sporting atmosphere here at Fairfax – the students really get into it. It’s great for them to have healthy competition, and that team-working environment. It’s something we’re really proud of.”
Fairfax also has a strong culture of inclusion, working to ensure opportunities for SEND students, and recently won a prestigious National SENDIA Award.
Tracey added: “At Fairfax we are always looking to expand opportunities to all students.
“Our table cricket team’s success shows how committed we are to ensuring everyone has a chance to shine at sport – and it’s a testament to the players’ commitment and talent.”
Principal Sean Castle said: “We’re very proud our table cricket team at Fairfax who are once again going to Lords for the national finals. Everyone is wishing them luck and hoping they’ll come back with a trophy.”