Visually Impaired

The Gloucestershire Growlers were formed in June 2012. The side welcome blind and visually impaired people with an interest in keeping active and having fun

The group aim to give visually impaired people in and around the county the opportunity to take part in sport and create an environment where they can socialise with people who truly understand the daily impact of having a visual impairment. Although the group aim play to win, team spirit is more important than results and the group pride themselves on their unique “Growler camaraderie!”

The Growlers are part of the BCEW South and West Development League, playing matches during the summer months. They train regularly through the summer at Hatherly and Reddings CC in Cheltenham and at the University of Gloucestershire during the winter. Players are of all ages, both male and female. Many of the team had never played before, so don’t be put off if you are new to cricket.

Cricket Players (SVG)
Jeanette Tate / Disability Development Officer

Jeanette Tate / Disability Development Officer

Funded by the Lord’s Taverners, Jeanette’s role is to grow and sustain the offer for young people with a disability to engage in cricket by developing the community based Super 1s Programme. She is working to set up Super 1s and Table Cricket Hubs across the county which aim to provide accessible opportunities to play whilst also using cricket as a tool to develop key life skills. Jeanette also organises competitions, festivals, and social events to further participant development.

You’ll find Jeanette working in schools across the County to provide a sustainable pathway from school to community hubs and providing support to cricket clubs to ensure a welcoming environment for those with disabilities.  Jeanette leads the ECB Disability Champion Club Programme which is designed to make clubs more inclusive and provide a club-based playing offer for people with disabilities.

Furthermore, Jeanette chairs the Disability Development Group and supports and development the County Disability Cricket Programme.

Jeanette is passionate about her work as every day someone achieves something which she finds rewarding as young people develop friendships, communication and independence overcoming the challenges they have through cricket.