Graeme Conway, Senior Managing Director, Macquarie Capital Advisors, speaking at the partnership launch

Macquarie Group launched its groundbreaking partnership with leading youth disability sports charity, The Lord's Taverners, today at its London CityPoint offices by staging a unique table cricket exhibition with young people from the South London Special League.

Graeme Conway, Head of Macquarie Capital Advisers Europe, and fellow staff teamed up with TV presenter Chris Tarrant, President of The Lord's Taverners, to take part in a series of games alongside young Londoners with disabilities. Tarrant welcomed the youngsters while Ashes-winning former England cricket captain, Mike Gatting, was on hand to pass on advice and tips to the young
players and Macquarie staff.

The three-year partnership will see the global financial services institution offer sporting opportunities to young people across the UK. At the heart of the partnership is support for The Lord's Taverners' iconic table cricket competition. Table cricket enables young people with disabilities and special needs to enjoy cricket and represent their school on a competitive basis. The competition, which will be renamed the Macquarie National Table Cricket Competition, features regional heats beginning in March with a prestigious national final at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 17 June.

Sharon Brokenshire, of the South London Special League, said, "It's fundamental to be able to provide young people with disabilities access to sport, but sadly the opportunities are all too rare. Table cricket is a wonderful chance for kids to get together and take part in a team sport, so it's great for a company like Macquarie to help support the national competition. For the kids to meet Chris Tarrant and Mike Gatting made the day incredibly special and you can see from the size of the smiles on their faces just what today means to them."

Graeme Conway, Head of Macquarie Capital Advisers in Europe, commented, "Today has been the perfect way to launch our partnership with The Lord's Taverners. The table cricket competition is a very special initiative and it has been fantastic for our staff to engage with the young players and see first hand just how beneficial the game is to them. I’m sure this is going to be the first of many exciting events with The Lord's Taverners and I look forward to working with them closely."

Matthew Patten, Chief Executive of The Lord's Taverners, said, "The Lord's Taverners believe that sport and recreation are essential for all young people, particularly those with disabilities and special needs. The National Table Cricket Competition enables disabled youngsters to enjoy the benefits of competitive sport and we are delighted that Macquarie has come on board to help us make a positive difference to the lives of even more young people."

The Lord's Taverners

The Lord's Taverners

The Lord's Taverners is one of the UK's leading youth sports and disability charities. Our mission is to give a 'sporting chance' to young people in need; those who through physical, mental, social, environmental or economic disadvantage, not of their own making, would otherwise miss out.

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