Campaign Ambassador - Richard Hill

Name: Richard Hill MBE

Sport/Activity: Cricket

With now over 50 years experience in cricket and over 30 in disability cricket, I spent much of my early life fielding in the slips. Due to my lower limb spasticity, I found that slip fielding was more accessible, requiring less running than other fielding positions. However, in 1995 I lost the ability to run following a second spinal surgery, and it was then that I decided to set my sights on coaching.

Through coaching, I found a way to continue my involvement in cricket and importantly, it paved the way for my working career. When I was invited to a disability cricket session at Lord’s, I had a ‘lightbulb’ moment. I knew I wanted to devote more of my time to disability cricket and since then I have made it my goal to make cricket more accessible to thousands across the country. As Development & Competition Manager (Disability Cricket) at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), I now oversee the National Disability County Competitions, the Disability Premier League (DPL), and overseas international disability cricket hosted in the UK. Likewise, I have also created ‘Clock Cricket’, a version of cricket designed for individuals with limited mobility and dementia.

For me, the power of sport is not just in competition but in its ability to act as a source of joy, connection and identity. I have experienced first-hand some of the barriers and prejudice that individuals with a disability face, but when those barriers can be overcome, sport can support so many people to participate meaningfully in something they enjoy.

Remember, your participation is not just restricted to playing but can also follow the coaching or employment route. Just make sure, whichever route(s) you choose, you have feel a connection and enjoy what you do!