WA gears up for 2027 NCIC in Ballarat

The championships give cricketers with an intellectual, physical, hearing or visual impairment the chance to represent their State or Territory on the national stage, and provide a high-performance pathway for athletes coming through the sport.

WA's Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing men's team will head to Ballarat as defending champions, having beaten New South Wales in last year's final on home soil. WA's Intellectual Disability and Blind teams will also make the trip, looking to build on a string of competitive showings in recent years.

WA Cricket Disability Programs Coordinator Annie Rogan said WA was looking forward to fielding a competitive squad across its programs in Ballarat.

"There's a lot of excitement building around this year's NCIC,” she said.

“Our players put so much into representing WA, and it's fantastic to see that hard work rewarded with a genuine national stage.

"WA has always had strong, competitive inclusive cricket programs, and that's down to the players and volunteers who show up week after week, as well as the incredible support of the WA Cricket Foundation.

“Heading into 2027, we're focused on putting together a squad that reflects that strength and does the state proud.

"What I love most about the NCIC is what it brings out in our players and the wider community. It's about opportunity, sure, but it's also about the friendships and sense of unity that come from being part of something like this together.”

This year's NCIC will also feature the first official Mixed Disability Cricket exhibition match held in Australia, following the format's introduction at international level last year in a series between England and India.

Cricket Australia Head of Scheduling, Operations and Domestic Cricket, Peter Roach, said the championships remained a key opportunity for players across the country.

"The NCIC are a fantastic opportunity for cricketers with a disability to represent their States and Territories at the top level in Australia. We're looking forward to taking the championships to Ballarat, where we will play on some terrific venues, including a first for the NCIC playing some matches under lights," Roach said.

WA Cricket will provide further details on squad selection and preparations for the 2027 championships in the lead-up to the event.

The 2026-27 NCIC will be supported by the Victorian Government through the Significant Sporting Events Program, the City of Ballarat, presenting partner Westpac, and long-time supporters Taverners Australia.