PCA initiative links to Maynard Trust

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

The Tom Maynard Trust is linking up with the Professional Cricketers’ Association to support the players’ union’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme.

The Trust has been set up in memory of Maynard, the Surrey, England Lions and Glamorgan batsman, who died in tragic circumstances last June, to help the development of aspiring disadvantaged cricketers and other sports men and women who require support with their career development.

The Trust has agreed to support the PCA’s PDWP until 2017 and for the first year it will be channelled specifically into the union’s Rookie Camp which has been designed to bring first year county players together and advise them on a range of issues they will face as professional cricketers.

Martyn Ryan, chairman of the Trustees of the Tom Maynard Trust, said: “The PCA have been involved in the work we’re doing right from the outset and the Trustees took the view that this was a really positive and logical way for us to get more involved.

“The PCA's personal development and welfare programme covers a wide range of different areas but for us it hits right at the heart of what we are trying to do as a charity, which is to help young aspirant sportspeople to develop, and we’re particularly pleased with the idea of supporting the Rookie Camp in 2013. We look forward to a long and healthy partnership.”

The aim of the PCA development programmes is to work closely with cricketers, coaches and support staff as part of an integrated team so as to minimise potential concerns, conflicts and distractions, all of which can be detrimental to a player’s performance and, at worst, may end a career prematurely.

The programmes cover a broad spectrum of important topics, including: prevention and rehabilitation programmes for alcohol, gambling and drug addiction, personal welfare and well-being, media and communication training, preparation for careers outside cricket, and a range of educational support.

Angus Porter, chief executive of the PCA, said: “We’re delighted to have formalized our relationship with the Tom Maynard Trust in this way. Their support will add tremendous value to what we are doing with our members, particularly the younger ones making their way in the game.

“Obviously Tom’s death has affected a lot of people within the game, especially at the two counties he played for, but it’s fantastic to think that we can do such positive work with players of all ages in his name, and the impact the Trust’s support will have, especially on younger players making their way in the game, will be significant.”
 
Donations to the Trust can be made either via the website or by contacting Jon Rees, Carston Accountants, Tudor House, 16 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ. Cheques should be made payable to The Tom Maynard Trust. Applications for grant aid from the Trust can be made by emailing mike.fatkin@live.co.uk 
 

Date: 04/02/2013 12:48:58 by Paul Bolton
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