19 January, 2010
The ABC Local Heroes competition has run throughout this summer, seeking to reward those people in grassroots cricket who deserve recognition: the tea ladies, umpires, coaches, players, fans. Anyone who has contributed to making grassroots cricket great.
Glenn McGowran was nominated by his brother Paul as his Local Hero. Here's why....
"Glenn has been a member of the Keswick Cricket Club for 17 years, starting out in the seniors as a 15yr old he has played nearly 180 games for the club. Glenn is a quiet achiever who has captained the B-Grade, served on the committee for a number of years in various roles and is currently the secretary of the club. He is one of the most well liked and respected members of the club, not only amongst team mates but also by opposition players and umpires.
Glenn was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2005. He continued to play cricket right up until he had his first lot of surgery in November 2006. While batting he would experience `seizures’ at the crease. These episodes would include impaired vision with bright colours. This would hold up play until it passed and amazingly he would continue batting. These heroics and love for the game brought out the best in not only his team mates but also the opposition, the display of sportsmanship from opposing clubs showed why cricket is considered the `gentleman’s game’ and it was common for them to applaud him off the oval on dismissal.
The removal of the tumor resulted in a distorted depth of field with his vision and partial paralysis down his left side. The first thing Glenn did in hospital while learning how to walk again with the aid of a physiotherapist, was to practice his cover drive in the corridors. After 12 weeks of post-op rest and recovery Glenn returned to the cricket field in time to play finals.
Glenn recently had tumor regrowth which required a second bout of surgery in November 2009. After more successful surgery performed by Charlie Teo in Sydney, Glenn performed what could only be described as a miracle. The last game prior to the Christmas break our A-Grade took to the field with only 8 players, Glenn who was at the ground as a spectator raced home, grabbed his whites, returned to the ground and took the field, he fielded for 45 overs on a hot day and was left exhausted. This amazing display of courage and selflessness less than six weeks after major brain surgery proved to be the difference as the team won by a single wicket.
Although he has lost a lot of confidence in his ability and struggles to accept the impact the tumor has had on his skills, his love and passion for the game has not been diminished. The courage and determination he has shown to get back and playing the game he loves with his close friends serves as an enormous inspiration to not only members of the club and their families but also to the wider community involved with our cricket association.
This is why I believe Glenn would be more than a worthy winner of the local hero award."
It's a really wonderful, heart-warming story which the judges just couldn't go past as the winner.
abc.net.au/grandstand