In 12 months, we might have a regional LGBTQI competition.
- Vinnie Cameron, Cricket NSW
TWO cricket programs that have made the game more inclusive have wrapped up after some "wonderful" weekends of play.
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Four rainbow-clad teams hit the pitch on Sunday for the last games in what's believed to be the first LGBTQI comp in regional Australia.
And kids with special needs have had a ball in an all-abilities program that's run for seven weeks and drew to a close on Saturday.
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Cricket NSW northern inland cricket manager Vinnie Cameron said both had been "a great success".
"Players have been travelling from Armidale and Gunnedah to participate in the LGBTQI comp, which is going to open up the potential to set up individual teams from those towns," Mr Cameron said.
"So in 12 months, we might have a regional LGBTQI competition ...
"This is probably the first one in regional Australia; it's creating a bit of a path [for] other parts of regional Australia."
The games have been held in the Anne Street Thunderdome and the final ones were at Riverside yesterday.
Cricket player William Weller said the Rainbow Sixers comp had been "really inclusive and we've all been quite enjoying it".
"We're already talking about doing a tennis competition and bowling - everyone's really excited about keeping it going."
The all-abilities program wrapped up at Tamworth Sports Dome after seven weeks of fun and fitness.
About 15 kids and teens from seven to 17 years were joined by family members and friends for the games.
"The closest cricket program to cater for kids of all abilities is probably a four-hour drive, so the kids had nothing whatsoever," Mr Cameron said.
Alison Sullivan said it had been "really awesome" for her granddaughters Macie, 14, and Jessica, 10.
"Their Pa loves cricket and they adore their Pa, and he could actually participate ... so it's been good 2-on-1 Pa time," she said.
"[It has been] a new support and friendship network for the girls.
"But also it was to do something that was active."
Asked if she would support an ongoing program, Mrs Sullivan said: "Oh, God, yes."
"The parents ... are actually 'selling' it to everybody else."
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
