jack bannister

health & wellbeing
fowler sets his
mind on education
Former England Test players
Chris Lewis and Graeme Fowler
proved popular additions to
the PCA team on the recent
pre-season visits to the 18
first-class counties and MCC
Young Cricketers.
The annual visits inform and educate
county players about the services provided
by the PCA and major changes in the game
but thy were given an extra dimension by the
presence of Lewis and Fowler this year.
Lewis spoke to players about the
importance of personal development and
planning for life after cricket after he was
jailed for 13 years in 2009 for smuggling
liquid cocaine into England.
The former England all-rounder was released
from prison last year and is committed to
helping educate current players to ensure that
they do not make the choices he did.
Fowler, the former Lancashire and Durham
opening batsman, has already appeared in
the PCA’s Mind Matters series discussing
depression and mental health issues.
He again helped to raise awareness of
these important issues and the support that
the PCA offers past and present players
in a number of ways including the PCA
Confidential Helpline.
“This is a new initiative to take a couple
of people around with us to raise awareness
of important issues. Chris and Graeme were
very well received at all the clubs we went
to and it is an initiative that we plan to
continue going forward,” said Jason Ratcliffe,
the PCA Assistant Chief Executive.
“Chris talked about the importance of
Personal Development and highlighted to
players the things that he didn’t do when he
was playing to plan for the future. When his
cricket career finished he had not planned
properly and his thinking became confused.
“The essence of Personal Development
is about planning now to ensure that the
transition from cricket is as smooth as possible.
“The first two years after you have finished
playing are the hardest while you are trying
to move into another area.
“Graeme Fowler and his family have
already done some outstanding work with the
PCA in our Mind Matters series, highlighting
the importance of
mental health and
well-being.
“It’s a topical
and important
issue at the
moment and
having Graeme
with us on
the pre-season
county visits was
invaluable.
“Judging by the number and variety of
questions they were asked, the presence of
Chris and Graeme was appreciated by the
players and a huge success.”
stars walk down memory lane
Former players from
Gloucestershire and
Yorkshire have been
involved with projects
aimed at reducing
loneliness in the elderly
by talking about their
playing days.
The two county clubs have
teamed up with the Sporting
Memories Network for ‘Chat,
Play, Unite’ sessions.
Former Gloucestershire
stars David Lawrence and
Mark Alleyne took part in the
event at Bristol while former
England off-spinner Geoff
Cope launched Yorkshire’s
initiative at Headingley.
The events were aimed at
reducing social isolation,
depression and dementia
amongst the elderly
population, strengthening
links between the older and
younger generations and
increasing participation in
physical activity.
Charity Sporting Memories
Network, which has previously
ran sporting reminiscence
sessions at Leeds care
homes, has joined up with
Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
to support older people in the
city living with social isolation,
depression and dementia.
“I have many great
memories of my time with
Yorkshire, it was lovely to
spend time with so many
fans and to learn how even a
simple image can spark so
many conversations and new
friendships,” Cope said.
“I hope supporters and
players alike will get involved
in the project and share
some of their own favourite
moments of the club.”
thepca.co.uk / BtB issue 18 63