The Growlers are growling
The Gloucestershire Growlers VI Cricket Team
Back in 2011 Insight Gloucestershire’s
Outlook Group (for young VIPs)
instigated the formation of what is
now known as The Gloucestershire
Growlers VI Cricket Team. It now
meets, trains and plays other VI
cricket teams on a regular basis.
Insight continues to support the team
and Marc Gulwell, Insight’s Resource
Centre Co-ordinator, is currently Chair
of the Growlers.
enhanced or deterioration slowed,
circulation is increased and generally
blood pressure and cholesterol levels
are helped. Diabetes, heart disease
and even cancer rates are helped by
cardiovascular exercises. Fortunately,
through the efforts of BBS (British
Blind Sport), there are numerous
activities that are made available for
the blind and visually impaired to
help us feel better and live longer.
Here are Bob Henderson’s thoughts
on being part of the Growlers:
As a counsellor and a person with a
visual impairment, I am also aware of
the emotional side of the issues such
as increased depression or anxiety.
Regular moderate exercise such as
blind cricket or goalball stimulates
chemicals released by the brain.
These chemicals both enhance
mood and calm stress. Getting fresh
air and feeling some sun has similar
effects. The social aspect and team
spirit that abounds in our team,
The Gloucestershire Growlers, is
tremendously uplifting and fulfilling.
The importance of sport, exercise
and fun for people with visual
impairments
Having a visual impairment can
be daunting. It is often difficult to
get out and exercise, do sport and
socialize in groups. Often there are
few opportunities, and specialist
equipment or assistance may be a
pre-requisite. Fortunately there are
instances such as Blind Cricket,
where the obstacles are few and the
benefits many.
As a Chiropractic Sports Physician
in New York, I became acutely aware
of the physical benefits of regular
moderate exercise. Muscles are kept
supple and strong, tendons and
ligaments elastic, bone growth is
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2014 · Issue 11
I have personally heard some
teammates tell me that finding out
about our team, getting out again
and being active has literally changed
their lives. Although as an American
I still don’t understand much of the
game, I feel that being a part of The
Growlers, and getting out there, has
been one of the best surprises of my
life. I owe much gratitude to Marc
Gulwell and his friend Ed Hastings
for their tireless effort in making this
happen. I encourage everyone with
a visual impairment to get involved in
some sport such as this and get out
there and have some fun!
Growlers league review
By Marc Gulwell
The team’s second season got off
to a flyer in Hereford as they picked
up some good results at the indoor
tournament and won their very first
award. In fact it was club chairman
Marc Gulwell who scooped the Best
Bowler award after some pinpoint
bowling all weekend. Marc even
bowled his very first maiden over
shortly after receiving a bloody nose
after being hit in the face with a ball.
A good fun weekend was had by all
and we thank RNC for putting it on.
The Growlers league season hasn’t
gone as well as we would have
hoped, as you will see from the
results below. Nevertheless, we have
had good times travelling up and
down the roads and have met some
really good people on the way.
Next we have a T20 tournament at
the end of the season followed by a
weekend away playing at Leicester
University against teams from all
over the country; we are very much
looking forward to heading back up
there this year.
The Growlers league season results
Gloucestershire V RNC Hereford – lost
Gloucestershire V Dorset Dolphins – drawn
Hampshire V Gloucestershire – drawn
Gloucestershire V Northants (T20 Friendly) – lost
Metro Devils V Gloucestershire – lost
Berkshire V Gloucestershire – drawn
We are always looking for new players, if you are
interested, please call Marc G on 01242 22 11 70
2014 · Issue 11
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