TWO local neurodiverse cousins have been selected for the newly-formed World Junior League, which is co-owned by English cricket icon, Adil Rashid.

This franchise-style tournament brings together elite youth cricketers from U11 to U18 age groups across iconic global locations, with trips for the varying age groups heading to Dubai and Spain this month.

The duo in question are cousins, Fletcher Fortis, 11, and Reggie Clayton, 11, who have ADHD and autism respectively, and they’ll be joined by friends Joseph Atkin and Harry Glew in a unique tour to Spain from April 17-21.

The quartet have all represented Moorlands Cricket Club in recent years, and they’ll now form part of the Northern England Warriors U12s team in La Manga, Spain, in just under two weeks’ time.

To earn their place, all four cricketers impressed the coaches, including Rashid’s brother, Amar, while on trial at the Adil Rashid Cricket Festival last summer.

Speaking to the T&A, Fletcher’s mother, Laura Fortis, spoke of her delight when discussing her son’s and nephew’s squad inclusion.

She said: “It’s a massive achievement, not just for Fletcher and Reggie, but for Harry and Joseph too.

“They’ve all been mates since four-years-old and have stuck together, so it’s amazing to see them all get selected for such a big event.

“With Fletcher and Reggie having special needs, I’m so proud that they can still go to these places and feel inclusive.

“Fletcher can come across as quite a cheeky chappie, but he can be quite an emotional child. Reggie can be very quiet, and you don’t always see the best of him until he feels comfortable in his environment.

“However, even if it takes them a little bit longer to adapt, they always settle into the environment extremely well and as Fletcher’s mother and Reggie’s auntie, I’m so proud of them.

“We’re all really excited for the trip to Spain.”

Reggie Clayton (left) and Fletcher Fortis (right) (Image: Submitted) Discussing the challenges both Fletcher and Reggie face when heading into a new team and/or environment, Laura admitted: “I think for Reggie it’s a lot more challenging with him being autistic when heading into a new environment or social situation.

“However, being with his cousin helps him a lot; it’s visible and he clearly takes confidence with being with Fletcher and it almost acts as a comfort blanket for him.

“For Fletcher, when he’s struggling with his emotional regulations it’s quite external, it can be loud, and he can say things that he doesn’t mean.

“We’ve found that if you’re open and honest from the beginning, especially with opposition teams, coaches or umpires, then it can be really well managed for the pair of them.”

Laura added: “We get a lot of positive feedback from teammates, coaches and umpires saying that Fletcher is a real leader (when he plays for Moorlands or West Yorkshire U10s).

“So, although we go through the harder times when he does have a meltdown, I think people see all the good things he does and what he brings to the team.

“For that reason, most of the time he’s well accepted and the kids don’t even react if he does have a meltdown.”

Both Fletcher and Reggie will be playing for the Northern England Warriors’ U12s team in Spain and will face off with five other teams in a T10-T20 format in a bid to be crowned champions.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Laura said: “It’s so exciting and I know the boys are really looking forward to it now.

“It’s going to be a high-quality tournament with lots of competitive matches, and the experience itself will be invaluable for all four of the boys.

“They’ll be playing five T10 matches, with a potential to play a T20 match in the final. On top of that, they’ll get two hours training per day with expert coaches, and I even think Adil Rashid himself will be there, so it’s all so exciting.”

For more information regarding Adil Rashid’s World Junior League, click HERE.