Bulls star gets behind Valley disabled cricket program

Bulls and BBL star Jack Wildermuth was outshone by some special young stars at a Valley cricket program.

Final day tutoring at Valley's second cricket program for young people with disabilities. Picture: COLIN BUSHELL PHOTOGRAPHY

All eyes are usually on Jack Wildermuth when he’s out in the centre, but the crowd only had eyes for the remarkable young graduates of Valley’s newest cricket program at a final-day celebration event on Friday.

Wildermuth brought his star power to the final day of the innovative program for young people with intellectual disabilities, held over the past month at Valley headquarters in Ashgrove.

Junior game development officer Kaz Willis said the idea was to provide an outlet for children aged four to 18 who otherwise would have no opportunity to play with a sporting club.

The first program, rolled out through Queensland Cricket, was in February but COVID-19 delayed the next instalment.

“It was a big learning experience. We realised we had to keep the classes small and keep the children with the same coach each week,’’ Ms Willis said.

“And after the February program we went out and sourced special sensory equipment, so we have nine types of balls with different coverings for example.

“It’s been so successful we will have another program in February and it might even become a pathway to the state Special Olympics.’’

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Wildermuth said it was a great program and he was proud to get behind it.

“You have to take it right down to the basics. We (Wildermuth and his teammates) and the kids both get so much out of it,’’ he said.

Incoming state MP for the area, Jonty Bush, said children’s club sport was something most parents took for granted.

“The reality for many Queensland families who have a child with a disability, be it physical or intellectual, is that participation in sport is beyond their capabilities,’’ she said.

“This is a wonderful local initiative driven primarily by dedicated people like Kaz.’’

But Ms Willis also paid tribute to the efforts of Valley junior director of coaching, Clinton Kempnich, who had put his “heart and soul’’ into developing the program.

The program has been a boon for the Chesterman family whose son Matthew, 17, has speech and intellectual impairment and mild cerebral palsy.

The young cricket and rugby tragic loved being able to take part, his proud parents Anita and Andrew said.

Sister Emily, 20, is also a coach in a modified rugby program designed for young people with disabilities.