About cricstars
WHAT IS CRICSTARS?
WHAT IS CRICSTARS?
WHAT IS CRICSTARS?
CricStars Auckland offers the only adapted cricket programme specifically designed for kids with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Our cricket for kids with disabilities is fun, relaxed, and tailored to meet the needs of our participants. We focus on the core skills and values of cricket to enhance our participants' lives and give them the chance to develop a love for the game.
OUR KEY OBJECTIVES
WHAT IS CRICSTARS?
WHAT IS CRICSTARS?
We have three simple objectives: 1) To provide an adapted cricket programme for kids with disabilities to access cricket. 2) To enhance gross and fine motor skills through cricket-based activities. 3) To give our participants and their families the opportunity to enjoy the social benefits of being part of CricStars Auckland, a vibrant sports club.
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Our HISTORY
WHAT IS CRICSTARS?
Our HISTORY
CricStars Auckland was initiated in 2022 at the Ellerslie Cricket Club by Rob Harman. Since then, we have successfully delivered our adapted cricket programme to numerous participants each year.
Our programme is well supported and endorsed by our partners Aktive, Sport Auckland, Auckland Cricket, Disability Sport Auckland, and the wider
CricStars Auckland was initiated in 2022 at the Ellerslie Cricket Club by Rob Harman. Since then, we have successfully delivered our adapted cricket programme to numerous participants each year.
Our programme is well supported and endorsed by our partners Aktive, Sport Auckland, Auckland Cricket, Disability Sport Auckland, and the wider cricket community. We would love to see as many 5-21 year olds join us to experience cricket for kids with disabilities this summer!
CRICSTARS 2026 - KEY DETAILS
programme dates
CricStars Auckland will take place on six consecutive Sundays starting in February and March. These sessions will feature an adapted cricket programme designed specifically for cricket for kids with disabilities. Times will be confirmed by each location but are typically from 10am to 11am.
programme locations
Thanks to the support of many organisations, we are expanding our adapted cricket programme, CricStars, across Auckland to make cricket for kids with disabilities more accessible. Our locations are: 1) Ellerslie Cricket Club (Date: TBC) 2) Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club (Date: TBC) 3) Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club (Date: TBC)
CLUSTER DAY
On 23rd March, all participants and their families will complete the adapted cricket programme at Ellerslie Cricket Club, where everyone will come together to showcase their new cricket skills from the CricStars Auckland initiative and celebrate the season with a prizegiving and barbeque.
WHo can participate?
Anyone up to the age of 21 can participate in CricStars Auckland, which features an adapted cricket programme designed for cricket for kids with disabilities. We encourage siblings of the participants to join in and provide a full family experience.
programme fees
Participate in our adapted cricket programme at no cost, designed specifically for cricket for kids with disabilities, hosted by CricStars Auckland.
what usually happens at cricstars
A CricStars module in Auckland begins with the head coach and all participants reviewing the storyboard to see what skills they will learn that day. After a warm-up, they split into smaller groups and rotate through various fun and exciting games and drills that include batting, bowling, throwing, catching, stopping the ball, running, communicating, and developing team skills. There is usually a small drinks break midway through. On select weeks, we incorporate a modified game of cricket, providing an introductory cricket game experience tailored for kids with disabilities through our adapted cricket programme. At the end of the module, the head coach reviews each skill the participants have learned. Families often stay afterward to socialize, and we typically offer a sausage sizzle or ice-block.
What do i need to bring to a cricstars session?
We provide all cricket equipment for our participants in our adapted cricket programme, so there is no need to purchase anything unless you choose to do so. This ensures that cricket for kids with disabilities can be accessible and enjoyable for everyone involved, including those in CricStars Auckland.
Coaching and parent participation
Each club will have its own coaches available to run the weekly modules of our adapted cricket programme. These coaches are all trained and police-vetted.
Parents are very welcome to participate with their children in our cricket for kids with disabilities. From our experience, many parents enjoy getting involved. However, you are just as welcome to sit back and relax in the sun. We kindly ask that you do not leave your child at CricStars Auckland without appropriate supervision, as we do not provide a one-on-one programme (we aim to run at 5 children to 1 coach/supervisor).
Cancellations
Cricket is a summer game, but sometimes the weather conditions are not conducive for our participants to have the best experience in our adapted cricket programme. You will hear by 9am Sunday morning if CricStars Auckland is cancelled. Remember, no news is good news for those looking forward to cricket for kids with disabilities!
administration and management
Ellerslie Cricket Club, as the founders of the adapted cricket programme known as CricStars, administers and manages this initiative. You will register for CricStars Auckland online using Ellerslie's registration platform, PlayHQ. Ellerslie will be your single port of call to ensure your needs are met and expectations are exceeded. To register, click on the link below or at the top of the page.
In the registration form, we ask for details regarding the participant, their needs, and what you/they hope to gain from this cricket for kids with disabilities programme. CricStars includes participants who are diverse in their abilities and goals, so it's essential that we are fully prepared to welcome them.
If you have any further questions, please contact us using the form below, or email Alex Cormack at coaching@ellersliecricket.co.nz, or get in touch with Club Manager, Kaitlyn Halliday, at manager@ellersliecricket.co.nz, or 021 873 150.