Mooroopna stalwart Michael Ford certainly has ample reason to back his abilities on the cricket pitch and his accomplishments across recent years in representative disability cricket further affirm this belief.
The past two years representing Victoria have brought Ford team and individual success and he has earned the nod once more to don the Big V at the upcoming National Cricket Inclusion Championship.
The event is set to run across six days from January 19-24, where Ford and his Victorian teammates will again fly north to duke it out with intellectual disability sides from across the nation at Brisbane’s Marchant Park.
Having achieved the ultimate success at this carnival in 2023 and 2024, Ford aims for a third consecutive national title — while Victoria is gunning for five in a row.
“It’s a pretty high standard of cricket that we play over the week,” Ford said.
“Up there, there’s the intellectual disability games, but there is also the deaf or hard of hearing and the blind cricket.
“That’s probably the most fascinating element of the tournament: getting to watch them in the other disciplines when we’re getting ready.
“There is a lot of camaraderie.”
Naturally, his hometown Cats earn their share of credit as well.
No better way to say it — Ford was simply glowing in his description of what Mooroopna Cricket Club means to him.
“I’ve played there since I was about five years old, and I’m 34 now,” Ford said.
“I wouldn’t move to another club as all the people there are fantastic. Everyone down there is very welcoming.
“We’re one of the only clubs playing in all five men’s grades and it’s a pretty good club to be part of.
“I’ll be expecting a standard that I know I’m capable of when I’m there representing my family, my state and Mooroopna as well.”
Ingraining yourself in a winning culture, as Ford has done at Victoria, tends to breed an environment high not only on performance, but as he put it earlier, camaraderie.
He recognises, though, that it’s a wide array of people who have helped elevate him to a potential third national title on the spin.
“I want to give some credit to Mum and Dad for driving me to training in Melbourne, as well as my support worker,” Ford said.
“They’ve been helping me out with cricket and fitness for nearly two years around three or four days a week.
“We’ve had some pretty good coaches and I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity to try out in the first place.
“The team is very strong and tight-knit; we’re all good mates who get along and help each other.”
