ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the extent to which elite disability sport is an empowering practice. While the topic of empowerment and disability sport is well debated, visually impaired (VI) cricket provides a new perspective upon this debate. This chapter follows two broad themes: the players’ experiences of recreational sport – both disabled and non-disabled – and the players’ experiences of elite disability sport. The players’ initial experiences of finding VI sport demonstrates the potential “value” of disability sport and physical activity, both socially and in understanding athletes’ corporeal abilities. In spite of these empowering experiences, this chapter then evaluates the transition from recreational to elite level sport and the disempowering consequences of this shift in competitive ethos. In particular, there is a focus upon the professionalisation of disability sport and how the relationship with mainstream organisations is impeding the empowering potential of elite disability sport.
