22/01/2025
! We absolutely LOVE a good throw back… and when it comes to history in New Zealand - we’re all in!!!
Blind Cricket started in NZ in the mid-80’s when a team from Australia came across to introduce a summer blind team sport to NZ. Sure, we had hockey for winter and fishing all year round but needed something more.
Blind Cricket took off in the 90’s! At one time there were up to 120 people playing across the motu. They had one tournament annually which was usually played for a week starting around 27 December and finishing 7-10 days later. Teams came from Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch and Otago.
There was also a time where - to keep players active - an indoor season was played with a tournament over the June long weekend.
Blind Cricket took off- like most sports in New Zealand comes in ebbs and tides…. Ups and downs…. But looking back on these photos, is a reminder of one of NZ’s biggest blind sports in its greatest domestic days!
These photos were taken at the 1997-1998 National Tournament which was held in Hamilton. A team was selected at this tournament which later went on to represent NZ at the 1998 inaugural blind cricket (50 over) World Cup in India.
Please, of you recognise anyone in the photos, tag them or add their names in the comments under the team photo!!
(Acknowledging the Fellows whanau who returned these photos after Neil’s passing and Donna for the reflections of “way back when”).