Glamorgan Cricket has taken a brand-new version of cricket in to the Royal Gwent in a bid to get patients more active and engaged with the sport.
The Club’s community team, along with Glamorgan’s Newport based opening bowler, Michael Hogan, delivered Clock Cricket to the hospital’s Gwanwyn Ward yesterday.
Glamorgan has now delivered three sessions, to more than 20 patients at St. Woolos, with plans to deliver more in the New Year.
Patients who have benefitted from taking part in Clock Cricket range from those recuperating from injury to elderly people waiting on care home places.
The game, which is developed specifically for older, less mobile players to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, is the brainchild of Richard Hill, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Disability Cricket Support Officer and is played indoors using a sponge ball and a foam bat.
A social, fun and competitive pursuit aimed at encouraging the less able or active to take up a physical activity or try something new, players sit in a circle and face as many as 10 balls each to determine the winner.
The Club first delivered Clock Cricket in October to Bryn Gaer in Newport, an independent living scheme of 39 homes for older people before introducing the game to St. Woolos.
John Williams (67), a patient at St. Woolos’ Gwanwyn Ward, said: “Clock Cricket was fun and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s something we all look forward to playing and really breaks up the day, as well as being good exercise for us.
“It’s also a great way to socialise with other patients and try something different and a little unique.”
Sean Carey, a member of Glamorgan’s community team who is delivering Clock Cricket, said: “We decided to start Clock Cricket originally to raise the profile of cricket in the older community and to lessen their isolation and increase physical activity.
“We started a group at Bryngaer in Newport and it was a huge success.
“From there we wanted to take the game in to patients at St. Woolos Hospital who we could help by given them something to look forward to.
“Patients who wouldn't get out of bed and do anything were suddenly playing Clock Cricket, getting gentle exercise, moving, heart rate increasing, getting competitive and engaging with each other.
“It was inspirational to watch and a real privilege to be involved and we look forward to continuing in the New Year.”
Nicola Cunningham, Primary Care and Community Network Manager for Newport, added: “The introduction of clock cricket to the community wards at St. Woolos Community Hospital has impacted hugely upon some of the patients’ well-being.
“Often patients become isolated, depressed and unstimulated whilst in hospital, clock cricket gave the patients the opportunity to engage in a new and fun activity.
“Some were apprehensive beforehand about playing but soon ended up laughing and engaging in friendly banter with each other, spurring each on supporting each other. One patient eagerly repeated to the ward staff on Gwanwyn ward that she was going to play again the next day on Penhow ward and couldn’t miss it.
“It provided light exercise, stimulation, engagement and fun between the patients. Sean made the patients feel relaxed, capable and encouraged them to participate.”
Andrew Hignell, Heritage and Education Co-ordinator for Glamorgan County Cricket Club also said “We are delighted that the Club’s community and outreach activities are being so favourably received. Clock Cricket is a brand new activity for us to offer, both here at Sophia Gardens and at other venues such as St. Woolos Hospital.
“We also have a number of other innovative activities being planned for 2020 and beyond, so if anyone would like further information or would like to participate, I would be delighted to hear from them via email on museum@glamorgancricket.co.uk.”