AMPUTEE cricketer Tom Carter wants to help others reap the rewards of the sport by spearheading Newport’s creation of a disability club.

Carter, 21, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2013 and had his left leg amputated.

However, the talented cricketer was determined to play his sport again and achieved that, playing regularly this season for the Spytty Park club’s third XI along with captaining the Wales disability cricket team.

Now he wants to help others to benefit from cricket, starting with an introduction to the sport next week.

Carter will lead Newport CC’s new disability cricket initiative, working in tandem with Tom Knight, who has extensive experience working with Swansea City Bravehearts football team.

The club will hold a taster afternoon on Friday, October 30 between 2 and 4pm at the indoor tennis centre at Newport International Sports Village. The long-term aim is to form a disability team with players feeding into the Wales squad pathway.

“Cricket helped give me my normal life back after two years being dictated to by my leg,” said Carter. “Just because you are disabled doesn’t mean you can’t play sport.

“I know firsthand how cricket can help – it gives you life skills, self confidence, you meet new people and are part of a team.

“If people look at me with one leg and are inspired to try the sport then great but something that people don’t always understand is that disability isn’t always visual. Hopefully this will raise awareness and encourage people to give cricket a go.”

The session, which is open to youngsters between 9 and 19, is free and anyone interested can contact Carter on 07523863818 or tom.carter19@hotmail.com.

Newport head coach Mike Knight said: “Tom is an inspiration to everyone at the club and he’s an excellent role model.

“He’ll do a fantastic job coaching youngsters with a disability and it will be great to see a disability cricket section at the club, which we hope will be a lasting legacy to Tom.”