Janice R. Andrews
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made a ground-breaking announcement: this summer, the board intends to use British Sign Language (BSL) as a means of advocating against discriminatory conduct at all first-class venues. This project is a big step toward promoting diversity both inside and outside of the cricket community.
The main focus of this campaign is the creation of videos that portray players from each county, both male and female, and convey strong messages against prejudice. To ensure maximum visibility and impact, these movies will be widely presented during every match, including the coveted England internationals.
This innovative project is more significant and accessible since it falls during Sign Language Week. Joel Harris and Jake Oakes of the England Deaf Team started a massive outreach campaign as part of the preparation stage. At the famous Edgbaston grounds, they were tasked with teaching BSL skills to more than seventy players from different counties and women’s regional teams.
Harris, a prominent participant in England’s successful 2022 Deaf Ashes campaign and a member of the Middleton Cricket Club in Greater Manchester, highlighted the players’ admirable passion for the BSL. “It’s not an easy language to learn, but the players have been amazing in their eagerness to understand and participate,” Harris said, looking back on the experience. The overwhelming response has been good.”
In addition to language, the training sessions included subtle communication subtleties that are essential for productive interactions with the deaf population. Harris clarified, saying, “While we don’t expect players to become experts right away, their sincere desire to pick things up and adjust speaks loudly.” Essentials like appropriate hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language have been discussed; they are all crucial components in guaranteeing inclusion and creating a genuine sense of welcome for the deaf population.”
The ECB’s steadfast dedication to promoting equality and diversity in cricket is demonstrated by the decision to use BSL messaging at elite venues. The board hopes to promote an environment of mutual respect and understanding that cuts across language boundaries by utilizing the platform of competitive matches and the combined impact of participants.
This project has the potential to have a significant impact well beyond the cricket world, acting as a model for other international sporting bodies and organizations. It embodies the transformational potential of sports to propel constructive social change and advance acceptance and togetherness as universal ideals.
Cricket fans are looking forward to an exciting new season full of exciting matches as well as the sport’s further evolution into something more inclusive and socially conscious. With the use of the inclusive medium of BSL and the global language of sport, the ECB has the potential to have a significant influence and pave the way for a time when prejudice is completely eliminated from the game of cricket.
