Andrew Flintoff’s Field of Dreams boosted Blackpool lady’s psychological well being

A woman who discovered the right way to play cricket with former England star Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff stated she found so much from him in regards to the significance of psychological well being.

Madi, a volunteer on the Boathouse youth membership in Blackpool, options within the new collection of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams programme as he appears to arrange a ladies’ cricket crew.

BBC presenter Flintoff stated he didn’t go away the home for six months after a severe crash whereas filming for Top Gear in 2022.

Madi, 16, stated “it really did help” her to learn the way he coped mentally after the crash, which additionally left him with severe facial and rib accidents.

“I was intrigued to hear and understand how he did things on his own,” stated Madi.

“I’ve always struggled in school with female friendships and I’ve always been alone really in my own head.

“I used to be to see and perceive his methods of dealing with it, to see if I might adapt to his methods as effectively, and it did actually assist me.”

On the BBC show Flintoff told Madi: “The crash introduced me again to cricket and I completely like it”, adding he wanted “everybody to have an opportunity of taking part in”.

Before meeting him, Madi said she “did not know something about him”.

She said she used to think cricket “was similar to rounders… so it by no means took my curiosity”.

But when she started playing the sport she said she found it “so new however refreshing to be taught one thing that I’ve by no means completed earlier than with such a very good, supportive group”.

Madi, who’s now a youth chief on the centre, told BBC Radio Lancashire: “I did have a few meltdowns” on the show “and I nonetheless do not know the right way to bowl or bat, nevertheless it was actually simply the expertise and being given the chance to strive one thing new helped me in a variety of methods.”

The Boathouse, which has centres in South Shore and Grange Park, works with children and young people aged from five to 25, aiming to improve their self-esteem.

Sarah Lindsay, head of children and young people’s services at the charity, said it was “wonderful” to work alongside Flintoff.

“When it first took place I actually did not assume it was going to go anyplace,” she stated.

“Trying to persuade a gaggle of women that had by no means performed cricket earlier than to even entertain the concept was fairly difficult, however to see Freddie Flintoff really in our youth centre was an incredible alternative”.

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