Last Updated on 21/10/2023 by Emma Purcell
Callum Flynn is a 28-year-old physically disabled (PD) cricketer who plays for Denton West in Manchester, captains the PD England team and was recently part of the winning team of the Disability Premier League competition. He was diagnosed with bone cancer as a teenager, which resulted in him having a titanium knee replacement.
Our editor Emma Purcell got the opportunity to interview Callum Flynn about his battle with bone cancer, his passion for cricket and his sporting and fundraising successes so far.
Callum Flynn on being treated for bone cancer
On his 14th birthday (12th March 2009), Callum was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma – a form of cancer in his right knee. Callum opens up about what it was like being diagnosed and treated for bone cancer:
“It was a strange one looking back because I’m glad it happened when I was young, even though when you tell someone you had cancer at the age of 14 they always sympathise so much but I felt it was slightly easier because all the big medical terms they were using, I didn’t have a clue what they meant so it didn’t really add to my worries!
I cried straight away when I got told and asked, “Am I going to die?” and my oncologist, Dr Brennan reassured me that everything would be fine.”
Callum added: “Treatment was tough. I dropped down to around 4/5 stone, I suffered from severe sickness and mouth ulcers so eating meals or snacks didn’t happen often. It took it out of me a lot, but I tried to keep my spirits up, cricket being the key to that.”
Callum then shared how his cancer diagnosis has affected him in the long term with his level of limited mobility:
“So, the procedure to remove the tumour resulted in me having a titanium knee replacement. This comes with a restriction to my mobility in my right knee, only allowing a certain degree of bend but I’m very lucky to have adapted well and I can flex the leg really well. I run with a limp, but this doesn’t stop me from competing on the cricket field and doing what I love. I’m lucky that my body has adapted to my knee replacement so well.”
Callum Flynn on his cricket career
Callum has been sporty since he was a child, playing cricket, football, rugby and badminton during that time. He was also trailing for Lancashire Cricket Club before his diagnosis.
Callum explained how he first got into cricket: “I got into cricket through a family friend. My brother used to play football with his friend and they played cricket too, which led to them inviting us down to play cricket. I started at the age of nine and it’s been my number-one sport ever since. I used to play football, rugby, badminton, any sport I could really but cricket was always number one.”
Callum finished his treatment in 2009 and was able to get back to cricket within 18 months after having the titanium knee replacement surgery. Callum admits disability cricket is no different to standard cricket:
“It’s just cricket. As simple as that really and that’s the constant message we try and get across. Because people hear ‘disability cricket’ they think it’s totally different but it’s the same game. VI (Blind) Cricket is totally different but Physical Disability Cricket is a good standard. We compete with County Cricket academies, The British Army, The MCC (World’s Most Active Cricket Club)
etc. I suppose the only difference now and again is someone might deliver a certain skill slightly differently because they have adapted to their disability.”
As well as regional cricket, Callum is a current member and captain of the Disability England Cricket Team. Callum told us how he first got called up to the England squad and how it feels to captain his country:
“At the time of me being on the brink of England, there was a ‘trial’ weekend which I was invited to attend. Thankfully, I did well and the coaches were impressed. After a nervy two weeks, I received a letter with the England and Wales Cricket Board badge printed on it, which was pretty cool. The letter said I had been called up to the squad. I was over the moon. A dream had come true!”
Callum added: “Captaining my country is something that I will never take for granted. It’s more than just leading the lads out onto the field. We are a very close-knit group and I know how talented this squad is. I can’t wait to see what we can go on to achieve, hopefully, a trophy or two.
Callum also explained how often he trains and plays matches at regional and national levels:
“At club level, I play in Manchester (Denton West) and we train every week in the summer, playing games every Saturday. Sometimes we have T20s on Thursdays and cup games on Sundays so I could be playing three games in a week.
For England, it depends on if we tour or not. Our English summer consists of around six to seven friendlies, often against County Academies, The British Army or The MCC. These are really challenging fixtures, especially as we play two T20s in a day, which is really challenging and tiring for an abled-bodied cricketer, never mind a physically disabled athlete.”
Callum then shared what was his proudest moment as a cricket player so far:
Winning the first-ever World Cup in Bangladesh. Nothing will top that. We came together as a group so well on that tour. We were always in each other’s company, and everything clicked. I would love to repeat that feat again sometime soon, but this time as captain instead of vice-captain.”
As well as playing cricket, Callum is also training to become a cricket coach. He explains how his coaching training is coming along and where he aims to be in the future:
“So I’m currently going through my level 3 coaching course which will be a great addition to the CV. I love coaching, there aren’t many better feelings than seeing someone smile after achieving a certain goal, no matter how big or small.
I would love to one day coach the England PD side. Player, captain and then onto the Head Coach… that would be pretty special! But realistically I just want to take my coaching as far as I possibly can, whatever opportunities come, I will jump at them to help me move up on the coaching ladder.”
Callum Flynn competing in the Disability Premier League
Back in the summer of 2023, Callum took part in the Disability Premier League (DPL), a pioneering cricket competition bringing together players from three different disability groups – physical disability (PD), learning disability (LD) and hearing impairment/deaf. Callum played for the Hawks, which won the tournament and had its final match broadcast on Sky Sports.
Callum told us how he was introduced to the DPL and got into the Hawks team:
“As I’m an England player, we all got put into a draft where the head coaches had to pick players. I was selected as a first choice pick from the Hawks’ Head Coach and this is how the team placements were decided.”
Callum admits playing alongside other players with different impairments was difficult at times. He said:
“It’s a good challenge but it can be challenging. The hearing-impaired players can’t wear their hearing aids when they play (some can hear slightly if you are stood close enough) but in the field, they can be running off when you’re trying to move them to a different position.
Callum continued: “So it does have its challenges but it’s more the time. We have one hour 15 minutes to finish the 20 overs so that’s where the communication between the team has to be really good.”
Despite the challenges, the Hawks were victorious and Callum described what it felt like being a part of the winning team:
“It was a great few weeks that’s for sure, only tasting defeat on one occasion across the tournament. We bonded really well within the three weeks and we played some brilliant cricket in what was a fabulous tournament with a brilliant standard set for the following few years.”
Callum went on to say how he felt knowing the DPL final was broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket but also whether he felt more disability cricket and even disability sports in general should have more media coverage.
Callum said: “It’s great that Sky Sports got behind the occasion but I think it needs to happen more often. The only way Disability Cricket grows is more exposure and that happens through people in well-respected positions giving it the time and day.
He added: “Sky Sports have done that for two years now and the messages we have had after have shown that the sport is growing. We have disabled cricketers who think they might qualify, messaging players, coaches and management staff, asking if they could get involved. Let’s just hope that even more people get on board. Once they give it a go, they will not be disappointed.”
Callum Flynn fundraising and aspiring other disabled cricketers
Away from the cricket field, Callum has also been involved in lots of fundraising events for charities. He was involved in fundraising for Bone Cancer Research and was named Britain’s Kindest Kid when he was 16 years old.
In July 2023, Callum shared his story for the Bone Cancer Research Trust’s Sarcoma Awareness Month campaign. The global initiative was set up to raise vital awareness of sarcomas, which has seen little improvement in treatments and survival rates in the past 40 years.
Callum gave us more details on the kind of fundraising he has done and what was it like to be named Britain’s Kindest Kid:
“I have done lots of brilliant events like charity cricket games, bike rides, charity balls etc. I’ve always loved fundraising, it’s something that allows me to give back to the fabulous charities that do amazing things.
Being named Britain’s Kindest Kid was pretty surreal! It was a crazy few weeks having a camera crew film a full day with me, visit 10 Downing Street and then the same camera crew surprised me at college announcing that I had won the award for Britain’s Kindest Kid! I certainly wasn’t prepared!”
We also asked Callum if he has any future fundraising events planned, He said: “I have nothing in the diary for now but I have some optimistic events that I would love to do. Maybe a charity bike ride from cricket grounds? A marathon as a disabled athlete? Who knows but I certainly want to keep fundraising.”
Callum concluded by advising other disabled people who are aspiring to become cricket players: “I would tell them to do it their way. They will know better than most coaches on what is and isn’t possible for them and their bodies. Disabled Athletes have to overcome obstacles every day throughout their everyday life so sometimes they can be their best coach.”
You can find out more about Callum Flynn by following him on Twitter and Instagram.
