Local cricket club strips down in the name of grabbing life by the balls

150 locals spent their evening at Glasshouse Mountains Sports Club on Saturday 19th November to celebrate International Men’s Day and support ‘mateship movement’, Grab Life by the Balls. Coinciding with the launch of Glasshouse Districts Cricket Club’s highly anticipated nude calendar, which features twelve members of their senior men’s division, the night was filled with meaningful conversations about the importance of men’s health

“Laying it all bare – whether you’re taking off your clothes or talking about your mental health struggles – is really tough,”

“By taking part in this photoshoot, and sharing it with the public, we’re sending a message:

we accept ourselves, and we accept you.”

Jeremy Schlutz GDCC President

The launch event saw several members of the local community join M.C. Sam Coward from Hot 91.1 FM to talk about their personal experiences and why they decided to get involved in supporting men’s health this International Men’s Day

Sam spoke with Pete Kennedy from Sunshine Coast’s Young Veterans; Sam Parker from Grab Life By The Balls; as well as four of the men who dropped their dacks for the calendar. “It’s not weak to speak,” says Ben Stokes, member of Glasshouse Districts Cricket Club and the calendar’s Mr September. “If we had the courage to get nude in front of the camera, it’s not too hard to reach out to a mate and have a chat.”

The reveal of the calendar was met with overwhelming support from attendees, with over 100 copies sold and close to $4000 made on the night. All proceeds from sales of the calendar will support Grab Life by the Balls in helping men establish stronger social connections and improve their quality of life.

“Grab Life by the Balls is about mateship. But it’s also about mental health,”

Social isolation is a key contributor to poor mental health.

Our hope is that we can encourage men to prioritise their mental health by putting themselves out there, and sharing their struggles with their mates.”

Sam Parker Founder of the Movement

The charity’s ‘proactive men’s mental health movement’ is behind gatherings across Queensland’s coast that provide men with a relaxed, accepting environment in which to befriend, inspire and empower each other.

If you’d like to support Grab Life by the Balls and feature twelve of Glasshouse Districts Cricket
Club’s finest on your wall, calendars are available to purchase here.