WA to send three teams to National Inclusion Championships

The Championships brings together Australia’s most talented cricketers with a disability to compete for national titles, with over 300 players representing their states and territories across five divisions, in T20 matches.

WA Cricket has sent three teams to compete, with the teams determined by blind or low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, and cricketers with an intellectual disability.

David Melling has also been included in the travelling squad, with the allrounder set to play a crucial role for WA’s Hard of Hearing (HOH) team.

The 30-year-old has an outstanding record with the bat at state level and was a standout for WA in last year’s National Inclusion Championships, where he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 161 at 40.25 in four matches.

The Murdoch University Melville product has been a standout performer for his state, currently sitting atop of the all-time leading runs-scorers for WA in Inclusion Cricket, with 1669 runs at an average of 29.80.

Western Australian stalwarts Michael Berg and Ryan Honschooten will represent WA in the Blind and Low Vision for a fifth consecutive year, with Berg selected as captain.

WA’s Blind and Intellectual Disability teams will begin their tournament tomorrow morning with clashes against Victoria and Tasmania respectively, with the Deaf Team kicking off their campaign against South Australia the following day.

Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Events & Operations Joel Morrison said:

“The National Cricket Inclusion Championships are a great event that showcases the best Australian cricketers with a disability, and Cricket Australia’s mission to be a sport for all. 

“The NCIC continue to go from strength to strength, and we’re excited to see them evolve even further in 2025 with a full week of blind and low-vision women’s games, building on the success of last year’s exhibition matches. 

“It’s a testament to the growing passion for inclusive cricket across the country, and we’re excited to see these incredible athletes inspire the next generation while showcasing their talents on a national stage. 

“The Championships form an important representative pathway for cricketers, and we look forward to experiencing what the 2025 tournament has to offer.” 

To support the NCIC, National Inclusion Ambassador for Cricketers with a Disability, Nathan Lyon, has donated three exclusive signed bats to Cricket Australia social impact partner Taverners Australia. 

To follow all the action during the 2025 National Cricket Inclusion Championships, download the PlayCricket app or visit Cricket Australia's YouTube channel where all games will be available via livestream.

WA Blind and Low Vision Team
Michael Berg - Captain (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Alan Leahy - Vice Captain (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Julie Henderson-Cavallo (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Darren Coyle (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Rishi Carter-Fernandes (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Caitlin Hannen-Williams (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Curtis Hawke (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Ryan Honschooten (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Leslie Buchanan (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Nicole Muir (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Mark Fisher (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Damien Mackenzie (WA Blind Cricket Club)
Issac King (New South Wales)

Coach: Vincent Stackpole 
Assistant Coach: Lewis Dockery
Assistant Coach: Nilabh Pandey
Team Manager: Suzanne Kelly  

WA Intellectual Disability Team 
Nathan Ball - Captain (North Perth Cricket Club)
James Woodley - Vice Captain (Joondalup Kinross Cricket Club)
Alexander Hayes (Applecross Cricket Club / Kardinya Lakes Cricket Club)
Benjamin Morely (Joondalup Kinross Cricket Club)
Jonathan Flower (Dalyellup Cricket Club)
Sean McGowan (Leeming Cricket Club)
Mailey Kelly (Joondalup Kinross Cricket Club)
Geoff Stewart (North Perth Cricket Club)
Joel Woodbridge (Warnbro Swans Cricket Club)
Kyron Timms (Applecross Cricket Club)
Nick Hart (Joondalup Kinross Cricket Club)
Robert Greene (Kardinya Cricket Club)
Scott Crawford (Kingsway Cricket Club)
Gunther-Uwe Weimann (Mandurah Cricket Club)

Coach: Rob Corrigan 
Coach: Sabrina Del Rosso 
Team Manager: Debbie Beresford

WA Deaf and Hard of Hearing Team
David Melling - Captain (Murdoch University – Melville Cricket Club)
James Johnston - Vice Captain (Hilton Bicton Cricket Club)
Timothy Regan (CBC Cricket Club)
James Tsakalos (Leederville Cricket Club)
Syed Shah Rukh (WA Deaf Cricket)
Luke Cook (Pinjarra Cricket Club)
Shannon Scarvaci (Deaf Cricket Australia)
Bevan Direen (Tasmania)
Steve Hodgetts (Tasmania)
Parth Arora (Victoria)
Miles Robinson (Victoria)

Coach: Timothy Regan 
Assistant Coach: David Melling 
Team Manager: Peter Kozuh