Nothing could take the smile off George Hiley’s face after he received the best surprise of his life - winning an award at Lord’s, the home of cricket.

The 21-year-old bagged an Inspire Award for his achievements as a regular participant in the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s Oxfordshire group and could not hide his delight, fist-pumping his way up to the main stage.

Super 1s gives young people living with a disability aged 12-25 the chance to play regular, competitive cricket and by creating community cricket hubs where young people can receive coaching, participants have the chance to compete against their peers and enjoy the benefits of playing sport.

The programme breaks down barriers and empowers disabled young people to fulfil their potential and build life skills.

"I was absolutely excited [to receive my award]. I really liked the place, having the tour around here and having dinner and getting my award. I’m feeling good,” said Hiley, who lives with Malan Syndrome - with anxiety a major part of the diagnosis.

His mother Sarah Hiley revealed she was immensely proud of her son, whose journey began when Super 1s development officer Richard Giles spotted him enthusiastically playing table cricket at Abingdon & Witney College.

“George didn’t know he was winning an award but we did tell him we were coming to Lord’s to have a look around, but we wanted it to be a surprise,” said Sarah, 53, a teacher.

“I was very emotional and really proud because he worked so hard and is so passionate about what he does so to get that recognised is just lovely.

“I think cricket gives him purpose, a reason to get up in the morning and it also fulfils him, because that is always a worry when you have a young person with certain challenges, are they going to be able to find something that is fulfilling and that they are really passionate about?

“I think this has really given him that independence, passion and purpose and he really enjoys it which is the most important thing.”

Leigh Journal: George Hiley (right) with his fellow Super 1s Inspire Award winners at the Lord's Taverners Super 1s celebration eveningGeorge Hiley (right) with his fellow Super 1s Inspire Award winners at the Lord's Taverners Super 1s celebration evening

George has always dreamed of becoming a sports coach but given his condition, which limits his ability to communicate, mum Sarah feared he would never be able to realise his dreams.

But George is taking his first steps into the field as a volunteer coach working in Super 1s and table cricket and even made instructional videos for his fellow Super 1s Oxfordshire participants to help maintain training during lockdown.

“Lockdown was really tough for us as it was for everybody,” explained Sarah.

“People talk about isolation and that feeling of not being able to connect because perhaps other young people of his age would have social media and things to draw upon, but that is not something that George is used to using or able to use independently. 

“We wanted to use the cricket experience that he’s got as a positive, George had the idea of doing videos for his cricket team. That gave him a purpose each week, he had to plan his sessions, record them and send them out. Getting the feedback from his cricket team was really great for his self-esteem.

“It’s much bigger than the sport itself, it’s a package, we can see George benefitting in all areas of his life through it.”

The Lord’s Taverners Super 1s awards evening at Lord’s was made possible thanks to the support the Berkeley Foundation which has been crucial to the growth of the programme which began in four London boroughs in 2013, and is now providing opportunities across England and Scotland.

For more information about the Super 1s programme, visit: https://www.lordstaverners.org/how-we-help/charitable-programmes/super-1s/