PCA grants reach £1 million mark

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

The Professional Cricketers’ Association has passed the £1 million landmark in educational funding grants for past and present players over the last ten years.

The £1 million mark was reached with grants made to Surrey and former Lancashire slow left-armer Gary Keedy who has trained to become a physiotherapist when he stops playing.

The PCA has Personal Development and Welfare at the heart of its duty of care to players both past and present, with a comprehensive programme including six dedicated full time Personal Development Managers and a framework for developing players either alongside cricketing careers or after they hang up the boots. A new initiative this year has seen all active players working with their PDM to develop a bespoke personal development plan.

As part of that effort, the PCA pays 50 per cent of the cost of obtaining qualifications or vocational training, and through this funding has given grants to 417 members, who have taken 64 different courses ranging from media management, financial planning, public speaking, plumbing and brickwork to driving lessons. Of those, 178 PCA members achieved ECB coach education qualifications.

"We're committed to member personal development, recognising that it’s imperative to have a plan and a vision for life after cricket and this funding reinforces that objective,” said Jason Ratcliffe, assistant chief executive of the PCA.

“The programme is very much a joint effort with the ECB, and we are grateful for their support, and the important contribution they make to our funding.

“Playing professional sport is a fantastic privilege but it does come to end and that's when the next phase of life and another 30-40 years of work becomes a sharp focus. We anticipate the figures will improve dramatically in the coming years with 6 full time staff and a recognition by all in the game of the importance of continued personal development"

Other players to have benefited from PCA funding include Hampshire and England batsman Michael Carberry who qualified as an electrician when illness threatened his career last year. Two members of England’s Test squad in India, Monty Panesar and Nick Compton, have completed computing & management and media training courses respectively.

Former Derbyshire and Northamptonshire batsman Adrian Rollins has accessed funding on a regular since he stopped playing almost nine years ago and now has a bachelor degree in Maths and Education (BSc Hons) as well as a Masters degree in Education (MA.Ed).

Essex and England Under-19 seamer Reece Topley has used PCA funding to complete his driving lessons.

ECB's Managing Director of England Cricket, Hugh Morris, who was integral in driving the implementation of the personal development programme with PCA 10 years ago said: "It’s tremendous for the PCA to have hit this momentous landmark figure. It's vital that as a game we encourage player personal development on and off the field and particularly for players in the initial years after finishing, where a loss of identity and self-esteem can be a reality for many. Continued learning and personal development whilst still playing can enhance a players performance and confidence and that can only be a good thing for all concerned."


Date: 23/11/2012 09:00:00 by Paul Bolton
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