Cornwall Cricket Board are delighted to announce that Wayne Bilkey and Ellie Mitchell have been appointed in a joint role as our next Disability Development Officers.

Both Wayne and Ellie take on the role from David Painter and will continue to deliver the good work and grow the disability cricket environment making cricket accessible to more people with Disabilities.

Wayne Bilkey will take the lead and will be working three days a week. Wayne will largely be located in the East of Cornwall working in the schools, Super 1 locations, Truro (Cornwall Cricket Centre), and St Stephen (Brannel) and the 6 ECB Champion Clubs, Liskeard CC, St Stephen CC, St Austell CC, St Erme CC, Troon CC, and Penzance CC. 

Wayne will coordinate the Super 1s programme, the schools softball and table cricket which delivers the Lord’s Taverners objectives of, providing innovative, inclusive, and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities to overcome the challenges of inequality, raise their aspirations and reach their potential.

Wayne is known to many within the Super 1s environment and the East schools. Wayne will now continue to make contact with the participants of the super 1s and the schools to confirm arrangements. 

Ellie will support Wayne over two days, working in the West of the county within the disability environment. Ellie’s role will be expanded to four days a week and allow extended delivery within the community such as the MCCF hubs, free activity for state school talented players and County Age Group cricket activity to name a few. Ellie is a talented cricketer and will act as an inspiring role model for young people to make their way in the game. 

Both Wayne and Ellie come with spades of energy and passion for cricket, and we know that they will drive growth and participation to enable Cricket to become the healthiest most inclusive team sport in Cornwall.

Ellie Mitchell said about her appointment, “I am delighted to have the chance to contribute to the disability community, county age group players and the wider community. I believe in providing opportunities that enable individuals to discover their ability, and together with Wayne, I feel confident in our ability to boost the growth of disability cricket across Cornwall. I also hope my journey through cricket will inspire the current and future generation to have fun and develop while playing a sport we all know and love.”

Wayne Bilkey stated, “I’m excited about the new challenges ahead in disability cricket and look forward to collaborating with Ellie to strengthen the presence of the Lord’s Taverners Super 1’s, Table Cricket, and ECB Champion Clubs within Cornwall’s cricket community, schools, and colleges.”

Joe Skinner, Managing Director stated, “We are incredibly honoured to welcome Wayne and Ellie into the Cornwall Cricket Board team. Their enthusiasm and passion for the game is infectious and we know that they will excel in their areas of delivery. I know that they are excited to get going and I am sure that they will be in contact soon informing schools and Super 1s of their plans moving forwards.  

You can make contact with Wayne Bilkey at [email protected] or Ellie Mitchell at [email protected]