Summer has officially arrived, bringing with it countless collisions between leather and willow.
Cricket means different things to different people, but ultimately it’s a game that brings families and friends together at public parks, ovals and carefully curated backyards across Australia.
It holds even more significance for the Kochmans – John, Jodie and son Thomas – a cricket-loving family from Ipswich.
John lives with blindness, which he says he “hides pretty well”, and is set to represent Queensland at the National Inclusion Championships in January as one of the state’s leading blind cricket players.
“We play games with a rattling ball, you sort of get used to where the ball is after years of practice,” he said.
“I’ve played for Queensland 10 times before, including once in a tour game against England.”
John and Jodie will spend many of their summer weekends supporting their son, a first-time member of Brothers Ipswich Cricket Club who bowls lightning bolts like one of his heroes, Brett Lee.
“Thomas has autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” Jodie said.
“For him, it’s about learning to cope with instructions and processes. He has experienced high levels of anxiety before, which can result in him having meltdowns.
“We focus on giving Tom gentle reminders, and asking him if he is okay.
“There have been times at cricket where he will have a meltdown, but no one here will bat an eyelid.
“The community has this wonderful understanding of Tom’s behaviour, and accepts that every child is different. This is fantastic not only for Tom, but for us as a family.”
John receives support from Ipswich community care group Focal when he needs transport or assistance in the community.
Focal carers also attend cricket with Thomas.
For more information on Focal go here.
