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At FTI Consulting, it’s our job to make knowledge make sense, distilling a multitude of data into key insights that help our clients take action. Applying this to , our analysis of the Most Valuable Player rankings supports the coaching strategies of the world class team. More critical thinking for these critical times. www.fticonsulting.com EDITOR’s WELCOME

from the editor beyond the boundaries is published Well done to all players involved in another Key content in this edition sees Adrian Rollins by the professional cricketers’ association, however the views superb summer of cricket. The rain stayed featured on page 16 more than a decade after expressed in contributed articles away for the majority of the season and the the popular Northants & Derbyshire batsman are not necessarily those of the pca, its members, officers, quality of performances on the field and on- retired. His story of overcoming the challenges employees or group companies. going intensity of matches are a testament to on ‘Civvy Street’ is an inspiration for us all. the efforts of all of the players involved. He is a great example of how a player has EDITOR embraced support and we salute his continual [email protected] Congratulations to and Hampshire, career progression. art director respective champions of Division One and sam bowles Two in the LV=, and to On page 26, we hear how Alex Morris [email protected] both Durham on winning the Royal jumped out of the frying pan of professional contributors One-Day Cup, and the Bears who cricket and literally into the fire, after a Ellie d’eath nick denning triumphed in the NatWest final. chance meeting during a Hampshire fixture PHIL DICKS The Bears starred all season and against the British Fire Service back in 2002. SIMON ECCLESTONE vicky elwick was crowned Overall FTI MVP for 2014 but It proved a defining moment in his career Simon cleaves was narrowly pipped to the coveted Players’ and is a reminder to all current players that MATT HALFPENNY jim hindson player award by Yorkshire’s . Huge opportunities can manifest themselves in the charlie mulraine congratulations also to his opening partner Alex most unlikely of circumstances. ian thomas lynsey williams Lees who was honoured as the players’ Young maTT WOOD Player of the Year. Elsewhere, you can find out more about a photography -breaking that the PCA Getty images; portraitcollective.com Off the field, I know it’s also been a hallenging has formed with the UK’s only NHS gambling season. I would like to extend a big thank you centre, The National Problem Gambling COVER artwork vicky elwick to all players for completing the surveys Clinic (more on page 20). And the work of the we have sent out during the summer. Benevolent Fund (page 53) which continues design BOWLESassociates The in-depth feedback we receive to grow, enabling us to look after a number from you plays a crucial role of members. It been fantastic to see more and in evolving our provision of more people doing charitable events in aid of welfare and advice going our charity, including ‘staying forward. It also provides dry’ for a year and climbing Mt invaluable information Kilimanjaro to play cricket! which enables us to accurately represent Whether you are a current or past player, aged your views and to from 18 through to 80-plus, please do not ensure the major hesitate to get in touch. We love to hear your stakeholders views and welcome any suggestions on how understand we can continue to evolve our service. And the issues. remember, if we can’t help you, we’ll try to put you in touch with someone who can.

Finally, as we head into the winter months, all the very best to and to all players who will represent England abroad, including the ICC World Cup early next year.

Winter well everyone.

All the best,

Jason Ratcliffe 07768 558050 / [email protected]

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 5 MEMBERS NEWS

ame Judi Dench, Laurence Olivier following my gut instinct, which was to degrees, as well as short courses in acting. and Martin Freeman are just apply and audition to the UK’s top drama Siddique added: “It was clear to me as some of the world-famous alumni schools,” he said. “There were some simply soon as I stepped foot in Royal Central that former Derbyshire player and comical and surreal moments - I had to sing it was the one for me. Its focus on both aspiring actor Hamza Siddique an unaccompanied rendition of ‘A Whole New classical and contemporary fields of drama, hopesD to emulate in taking up a place at the World’ from Aladdin without any preparation and more importantly for me, screen acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. for the RADA and Central panel! all played a part in the school becoming my The 23-year-old started a course in MA “It’s expected I will leave the course with Acting for Screen in September with the help extensive training, two show reels, three films of funding from the PCA, having previously and usually an agent, which should provide “It was clear to me as graduated last year from University me with a fantastic platform to become a soon as I stepped foot with a degree in Philosophy and Theology. success in the industry.” in Royal Central that Siddique initially ventured into the media, The Royal Central School of Speech and presenting and reporting at numerous sports Drama was founded by Elsie Fogerty in 1906 it was the one for me” events and music festivals, but got his break in to offer a new form of training in speech and acting and was then asked to take a part in a drama for young actors and other students first choice – plus the recent alumni from the local feature film. He eventually auditioned for and has been part of the University of school is really quite remarkable. the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Guildhall London since 2005. “Hopefully this will be the start of an School of Music and Drama and the London Other famous former students include Dawn exciting and successful journey and one where Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, in French and Jennifer Saunders, Rupert Everett, I can act as a worthy ambassador for the PCA. addition to his final choice of Royal Central. Julie Christie, Catherine Tate, Harold Pinter After all, I remain eternally grateful for having “I decided that life is too short to and James Nesbitt and it offers more than 100 shared some of my fondest and proudest accommodate regret and that’s why I’m undergraduate, postgraduate and research moments on the cricket pitch.”

6 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk MEMBERS NEWS Inside this issue

Life in the fast lane Steffan Jones is a man on a mission... he wants to get people fast. The ex-Derbyshire, Northants, and paceman spent a good chunk of his career trying to maximise his speed, and now he is using that Yorkshire do PCA preparation Don’t roll the knowledge in a bid to help others who the double at all adds up dice: the dangers have the chance to be express. The 40-year-old, motivated by the PCA Awards for teacher of gambling dearth of out-and-out quickies on the Page 14 Rollins Page 20 English county circuit, has set up two Page 16 businesses - cricketstrength.com and SJenhancingperformance.com - to aid the development of genuine pacemen by drawing up purpose-specific training programmes and posting Profile articles with conditioning tips. “I’ll be honest, it’s not the spin bowlers that I’m interested in, or the batsmen. But if someone wants to give Name 5 People have new connections batsmen the hurry up, that’s where I Job Title can help,” said Jones, who retired from playing three years ago and is now head of cricket and elite performance at Wellington School in Somerset. cool under Linkedin: The Rise to the top “A lot of the times, quickies suffer pressure? Join do’s and don’ts as a county CEO because their training is not specific Location enough. Some of their coaching can the fire brigade of your profile Page 37 be wrong and they are playing in an Page 26 Page 34 environment – slow , long seasons – where it pays to cut back their pace. But I can give them an Suggested job 100 individual programme that can help connections Education injury prevention and suits their needs. “I learned to get up to 90mph on Accountant occasion, but I didn’t have the correct All about you... ABC Accounts LTD. - action to sustain it. I’ve learned from London, United Kingdom experience that it’s a balance of the right technique, training and mental application that enables you to bowl consistently quickly.” Already, Jones has seen interest Joe Bloggs from junior quick bowlers as well as Experience... a number of pros so it seems he’s not Cooking up a Staying on the The latest Is now following . the only one who wants more Mitchell storm in the move with the exclusive Johnsons and Brett Lees in the game. The business also offers expert Far East PCA Benevolent offers for general fitness programmes and Page 39 Fund PCA members Peter Parker advice for cricketers from Ross Page 53 Page 54 Executive Producer Dewar, who is the strength and fitness coach at Worcestershire.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 7

Two page examples I copied the layouts from the Linked In App on my phone. I was thinking you could use the same logo you used in the article title and replace the blue square in the top right corner. Members news A new career spin It’s not just in his cricket career that Maurice Holmes has proven himself to be first class – the same has been true of his law degree. The Kent-born off-spin bowler made it to the top level of English domestic cricket when he played for Loughborough University and Warwickshire in 2011. And now the multi- talented 24-year-old has also reached the top of the tree by graduating with a first- class honours degree from the College of Law in Birmingham. As a of that excellence, Holmes is one of only 300 people nationwide to be started doing my degree and having offered a pupillage at just finished my course I started as a a barrister’s chambers Summing fully-fledged maths teacher for the new before doing his Bar Professional Training Course school term.” (BPTC) that will allow him to practise. things up Cawdron studied for his Holmes has previously taken an active role with the qualification through the Open PCA in the last close season, visiting counties to warn As he prepares to graduate with a University a four-and-a-half year players of the need to prepare for life after cricket. BSc honours in Mathematics and Its period and it suited him down to the His own career out in the middle was interrupted when Learning, things are beginning to add ground. Not only did it give him the he was called for an illegal bowling action, and though he up for Mike Cawdron. flexibility to fit it in around his job and was subsequently cleared with PCA support, it affected After 110 senior matches across family life, but some of the modules his chances of winning another county contract. County Championship, one-day and were about the teaching and learning “I can’t describe how important it is to have secured T20 matches for Gloucestershire and of the subject, which will come in pupillage and at such a great set of Chambers, so I , the right-arm handy in the days and months ahead. wanted to say another huge thanks to the PCA team for medium pace bowler left county At the time of writing he was certain all the support that helped to get me there,” he said. cricket behind in 2004. of attaining a 2:1, and was hopeful of “I also received my final degree result this summer He was offered a position at getting a first, which was dependant and was pleased to finish top with first-class honours - Haileybury and Imperial Service on his final piece of course work. a good result from the last two years.” College as Rackets Professional and it Either way, he has been delighted with was a chance conversation during that his progress, assisted by the PCA. interview that opened up a whole new Cawdron said: “Sometimes it has career for the 39-year-old. been really difficult and a hard slog, but “It was the last question that the the support I have had from the maths SPECIAL headteacher asked me and it was department at my school has been THANKS which subject did I prefer out of the terrific and really helped me through. three A levels I did,” said Cawdron. “I’m also hugely appreciative of The PCA would like to wish “I said I thought maths was the most the PCA and I’ve always found them Kate Green best wishes for straightforward, but I didn’t think that to be fantastic with the support they the future. After nine years of would lead to anything. give. It’s a massive thing to have them supporting players’ personal “Two years later the same head help with the funding for something development and welfare at asked me if I fancied teaching some like this, especially when you have various clubs and within the maths. I hadn’t done anything like children. It wouldn’t have been England player pathway, she is leaving to join UK SPORT that for the previous 16 or 17 years, impossible for me without it, but it as a Senior Performance but I actually really enjoyed it once I certainly takes the pressure off.” Advisor in November.

8 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk MEMBERS NEWS

Apply now for PCA Scholarship

If you’re looking to change the direction of your career in a positive fashion, maybe you’re the ideal candidate to receive the PCA’s 2015 Personal Development Scholarship. The scheme was successfully introduced last year and aims to reward the most proactive PCA member - past or present - on or off the pitch during the course of this year. The PCA have spent more than £1million on membership educational grants over the course of the past decade and the scholarship is in keeping with that plan. Basically, the scholarship aims to inspire past members who have moved on to new career pathways, as well as encouraging current cricketers to think and plan away from the pitch when time allows, especially during winter months. The winner will receive £3,000, or the equivalent, for personal development course funding, resources of their Former players slummin’it choice, or to reimburse costs already incurred. Two runners up will receive £1,000 each, or the equivalent in course Indian Restaurant Slumdog, owned by former Notts, Northants, Surrey and England funding, or reimbursement. batsman Usman Afzaal celebrated its first year anniversary in the summer. The event raised money for the Children’s Air ambulance and Oscar Charity and saw a number of current and former professional cricketers in attendance. Afzaal moved back to The judging criteria is: his native after his professional career came to an end and opened the • Development course/s undertaken and qualifications attained restaurant which is located across the road from Cricket Ground. • Cricketing development - where relevant • Work placement/s undertaken • Community work undertaken • Willingness to embrace charitable initiatives Passing on the skills • How they would use the additional scholarship award Former seamer Mike Smethurst is bidding to join the band of highly-qualified coaches who have passed level For more information, or to put yourself forward, please four of the ECB’s Elite Coach Development Programme. email Ian Thomas ([email protected]) or your regional The 27-year-old former Lancashire player hopes to complete Personal Development Manager with your completed his course later this year, alongside Kent head coach and application form by November 28, 2014. You must include former West Indian international , with details about your year of development in as much depth as a November deadline to submit a final batch of possible on the application form. work for assessment. A download of the Scholarship application form is Oldham-born Smethurst is currently available from: http://www.thepca.co.uk/6055.html Director of Cricket at Brighton College A shortlist of candidates will be asked to present in early and helps to coach the under-19 January and the winners will be announced in February 2015. squad of his home county during the summer months. Lee Daggett one of “The ECB have helped me out twice three inaugural since I have stopped playing,” said winners of the Smethurst. “Firstly they helped me pca personal development to fund my Masters Course in PR scholarship award back in 2003-04 at earlier this year Metropolitan University. “And they have also been fantastic in helping me with costs to take the two-year level four coaching course by funding half of it, so I’m eternally grateful to them.” Smethurst initially completed his level one and two coaching qualifications at the request of then Lancashire coach , who felt it would help his players develop their own games. An interest in coaching as a career began after working in the indoor school at Old Trafford and then for Manchester City Council.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 9 obituaries

John years with his native county, with 122 Don Bennett Bartlett Test victims. He took four five- A former all-rounder who Test hauls, with a best of 5-30 against A slow left-arm bowler for claimed 14 titles during his time as Sussex and Oxford University, in Dacca in 1962. the county’s coach, Bennett died at Bartlett died a few days short of He was voted Cricket Writers’ Club the age of 80. his 86th birthday. Young Cricketer of the Year in 1962 Born in Wakefield, he debuted for Born in Derbyshire but and the following year helped England Middlesex as a 16-year-old against raised in Sussex, he made Lancashire in 1950, going on to make to save the Lord’s Test against the 404 first-class appearances and nine seven appearances for the West Indies, helping shield Colin county between 1946 and in one-day cricket. 1950. His debut came against Cowdrey, who returned to bat with his He scored more than 10,000 runs, Worcestershire at New Road, arm in plaster, and survived the last twice passing 1,000 first-class runs with his final match against two balls bowled by Wes Hall. in a season, and hit four centuries, with a career-best of 116 against Oxford University in The Parks In the 1965-66 Ashes, Allen while he was still at university. Yorkshire at Lord’s in 1954. His 748 made 50 in the third Test at first-class wickets included 24 five- Bartlett took 88 of his 107 career Sydney and then took 4-47 to help first-class wickets for Oxford, wicket hauls, with a best of 7-47 including five-wicket hauls set up an win. His highest against Sussex at Hove in 1956. against Lancashire in 1946 and score of 88 was made against New Bennett succeeded Jack against Hampshire in 1950. Zealand in Christchurch in 1966. A Robertson as coach and was in charge for seven of Middlesex’s He also played four first-class useful batsman, he made a County matches for the Combined County Championships - once as David Championship against joint champions - and seven one- Services while he was on National Service. Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge day titles. in 1961. Retiring in 1997, he continued to Euros Lewis Allen Allen worked for Harvey’s wine serve Middlesex as a Committee merchants after he retired from first- Member and as County President. Bennett was also a talented The former and The former Gloucestershire off- class cricket and remained involved Sussex batsman and off-spinner footballer, playing 73 matches for died in his native Llanelli aged 72 spinner, who won 39 Test caps for with Gloucestershire, serving as the City from 1958-61. after a short illness. England, died at the age of 78. Allen club’s president in 2011. Beginning his career as a hard- took more than 1,200 wickets in a He coached and was chairman of Michael hitting top order batsman, Lewis distinguished career that included Thornbury, his local club, well into Melluish prospered as a spin bowler, taking 882 for Gloucestershire during 19 his seventies. 341 wickets in 182 first-class A former President of the MCC appearances. He claimed 13 five- who played first-class cricket for wicket hauls, with a best of 8-89 Cambridge University and Middlesex, against Kent at in 1965. Melluish died aged 81. He joined Sussex in 1967, taking Damian D’Oliveira He was a regular wicketkeeper at 188 wickets in 86 first-class Cambridge in his three years from matches with a best return Worcestershire’s former all-rounder, 1954 to 1956, and captained the of 7-66 against Somerset at side in his final year.I n 49 first- Weston-super Mare in 1967. who went on to become Academy class matches, Melluish scored He was capped by Sussex that Director and Second XI Coach, died 524 runs, held 80 catches and summer but released two years at the age of 53 following a lengthy made 35 stumpings. later. He returned to and battle against cancer. He was elected an MCC member in played for the Dafen Welfare club. The son of former England and 1956 and served on the committee Worcestershire all-rounder Basil, from 1974 until 2002. He was, at Peter Laker various times, MCC Treasurer, MCC Damian enjoyed a successful honorary life Vice President and a A right-hand batsman and leg- county career from 1982 to 1995 trustee of the MCC Foundation. spinner who played two County as a right-handed middle order Melluish was President of MCC in Championship matches for batsman, occasional off-spinner and 1991/92, with his role also including Sussex in 1948 and 1949, Laker outstanding fielder. the Presidency of the ICC. He was was better known as a cricket awarded an OBE in 1999 for his correspondent for the Daily Mirror. He was part of a Worcestershire services to cricket. He made his Sussex debut side that won two County against Middlesex at Hove in July Championship titles, two Sunday MCC Young Cricketers and made his William 1948, and also played against League titles, the Benson and Hedges first-class debut against at Hampshire at , in Cup and the NatWest Trophy. New Road in 1982. Goodreds September 1949. He played club A right-arm seamer who played cricket for Lewes Priory and He scored more than 9,500 first- He followed his father by moving class runs, including 10 centuries, into coaching after his playing career one first-class match for was still turning out for them Worcestershire in 1952, Goodreds into his seventies. with a career-best of 237 against ended and proved a successful died in Dudley aged 93. Laker’s cricket knowledge Oxford University in 1991, and passed developer of young talent. His own He played Second XI cricket for served him well in his 25-year 1,000 runs in a season four times. son Brett, a leg-spinner, became the Worcestershire before World War II, career as a journalist, where D’Oliveira also recorded his best first- third generation of the D’Oliveira but was 31 when he made his solitary he was a respected colleague first-team appearance in a six wicket and well-known as a press box class bowling figures, 4-68, against family to play first-team cricket for the Dark Blues three years later. Worcestershire when he made his defeat by Cambridge University at prankster. He died at his home in New Road in June 1952. He also Somerset, aged 87. He joined Worcestershire from the List-A debut in 2011. played for Dudley.

10 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk obituaries

Harry Bell Dying at the age of 89, Bell will be Peter Sainsbury better known for his footballing career with Middlesbrough and The former Hampshire all- He contributed 1,459 runs, took Darlington, but also had a long rounder and coach died aged 80. A 54 wickets and held 46 catches, cricketing career with Durham in right-hand batsman and slow left- claiming the last wicket against their pre-first-class days. arm bowler, Sainsbury made 593 Derbyshire to secure Hampshire’s As a cricketer, he played regularly for Durham between 1946 and 1961 first-class appearances for the first title.H e also played a key role and re-appeared for one match county. Only Phil Mead and Alec in 1973 as vice-, taking 107 in 1966. He made three Minor Kennedy have played more times wickets and scoring more than 900 Counties Championship centuries. for Hampshire. runs. After finishing his playing Born in Sunderland, Bell played National Service delayed career in 1976, he moved into some wartime football for his hometown club before joining his county debut until 1954, coaching before retiring in 1991. Middlesbrough, featuring in when he played against Oxford During his long career, more than 300 matches as a University in The Parks. Sainsbury scored more than tough-tackling midfielder. He Sainsbury became the only 20,000 first-class runs - played 100 times for Darlington, Hampshire player to appear including seven centuries - and and later managed non-league in two County Championship- took 1,316 wickets with 36 five- Spennymoor United. winning sides in 1961 and 1973. wicket hauls. Michael Mence A seam bowler for Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, Mence died Bernard Hedges Norman Whiting John Mortimore on the Isle of Wight, aged 70. One of Glamorgan’s finest batsmen Worcestershire’s oldest surviving former A devoted one-club man, former He made his Minor Counties debut and the first to score a limited-overs player, Whiting died at the age of 93. He Gloucestershire and England off- for Berkshire, his native county, hundred for the county, Hedges died at played 59 matches as a professional for spinner died at the age of 80. Born in in 1961, joining Warwickshire the age of 86. the Pears between 1947 and 1952 but was Southmead, , Mortimore played the following season and making Born in Pontypridd, he joined Glamorgan Second XI captain during his fifties in the for Gloucestershire for 26 seasons. He his first-class debut against in 1950 after completing his National 1970s and spent more than 40 years as a captained his native county from 1965 Middlesex at Lord’s that year. Service. He spent most of his time with committee member. He was also President to 1967 and played nine Tests between He went on to play 31 first-class Glamorgan as an opener, forming an in 2003 and 2004. After making his debut 1959 and 1964. matches for Warwickshire between effective partnership with Alan Jones. In against Northamptonshire in August 1947, He took 1,807 wickets during an illustrious 1962 and 1965, then spent two 422 first-class matches he made more Whiting went on to score 1,583 first-class career, and was also a capable batsman seasons with Gloucestershire than 17,000 first-class runs, including runs, including two centuries. who scored almost 16,000 first-class runs before returning to Berkshire. 21 centuries, and lies seventh on Whiting’s spell with Worcestershire with four centuries and 65 half-centuries. Mence made 949 first-class runs Glamorgan’s list of all-time -makers. Seconds came at a time when the County Mortimore did the double in 1963 and in his career, including four half- His highest first-class score of 182 was entered a side in the Birmingham League 1964, took 100 wickets or more in one centuries. He also took 86 wickets, against Oxford University at The Parks and he helped in the development of further season and topped 1,000 first- twice claiming five-wicket hauls, in 1967, with his Championship-best of young players such as Phil Neale, Cedric class runs three more times. with a best of 5-26. He also played 141 coming against Kent at Swansea Boyns and Paul Pridgeon. ​ His career-best score of 149 came nine limited-overs matches in 1961. He passed 2,000 first-class against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge without taking a wicket. runs in 1961, and reached 1,000 runs in in 1963, and his best bowling, 8-59, came every season between 1956 and 1963. Phil Sharpe against Oxford University at The Parks in Hedges made Glamorgan history Commonly regarded as one of the 1959. Mortimore recorded 75 five-wicket Brian Roe in 1963 when he made 103, the hauls in first-class cricket, and eight The former Somerset opening finest slip fielders in the world, County’s first one-day century, against 10-wicket match returns. He took four batsman died in after a the former England, Yorkshire and Somerset at The Arms Park. wickets in five balls against Lancashire short illness, aged 75. Roe made Derbyshire batsman died aged 77 He was also a proficient rugby player, at Cheltenham in 1962. 132 first-class appearances for after a short illness. playing for Pontypridd and Swansea, His Test debut came in Somerset between 1957 and 1966 After making his first-class debut and in a Welsh final trial. during the 1959 Ashes. He also toured and four more for the Combined for Combined Services against in 1963-64, with his final Test Services in 1959 and 1960, while Warwickshire at Edgbaston in 1956, appearance coming against Australia at serving in the RAF. He scored Sharpe went on to play in seven County Ray Flood Old Trafford in July 1964. more than 5,000 first-class runs Championship-winning sides during an with four centuries and a highest A former Hampshire batsman in the illustrious career with Yorkshire. score of 128 against Essex at 1950s, Flood made his debut in 1956, He played 493 first-class matches George Downton Brentwood in 1962. but had to wait until 1959 to get an and scored more than 22,500 runs, The former Kent wicketkeeper died in He reached 1,000 runs in three extended run in the side, playing 20 of with 29 centuries, including three Sevenoaks aged 85. He played eight consecutive seasons between 1961 his 24 first-class matches. double hundreds. Championship matches in 1948, with and 1963 and was awarded his His maiden century came against Sharpe also took 618 catches, most two additional first-class appearances county in 1962. Released after Sussex at Hove, with a further five of them in the slips, where he was the for MCC in 1957 and 1959. the 1966 season, Roe turned down half-centuries as he totalled 780 runs outstanding slip fielder of his era. He also played regularly for the the chance to rejoin the Cider Men for the season. But he played only The highlight of his Test career came in MCC in non-first-class matches and the following summer, opting for a once the following summer and was 1969, when he made 111 against New continued to make occasional Second full time job in insurance. released at the end of the 1960 season Zealand at Trent Bridge. XI appearances for Kent until 1954. He went on to play Minor Counties because of a debilitating knee injury. Sharpe ended his first-class career with Downton’s son Paul, also a wicketkeeper, cricket for Devon and continued A regular attender at Hampshire’s Derbyshire in 1976. He later became played for Kent and Middlesex and in 30 to play club cricket in the county former players’ reunions, Flood died in a Test selector and then an ECB pitch Tests for England between 1981 and 1988. until 2012. Lyndhurst aged 78. liaison officer. He is currently ECB Managing Director.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 11 MEMBERS NEWS

catch up with: Geoff Humpage

As a hard-hitting batsman and bowler and only took the gloves highly-proficient wicketkeeper, Geoff because it allowed Warwickshire to Humpage became a folk hero to many play an extra batsman or bowler in a of those who watched him royally second XI one-day game. entertain at Warwickshire in a first- The former Golden Hillocks class career that spanned 16 years. Comprehensive pupil – also a keen But it’s since retiring from playing footballer and a dab hand at ‘anything that the 60-year-old former England with a round ball’, including squash, Back to School one-day international believes he table tennis and snooker – got his has given the greatest service to his first-team chance when regular keeper Former England one-day wicketkeeper is home city of Birmingham – as a toured England with hoping to combine cricket and education for the benefit of youngsters with his cricket academy joining up with police officer. the West Indies Test side in 1975. Fullhurst Community College. Geoff has served in the West He soon began to score the runs The ex-Leicestershire captain, who enjoyed a 22-year Midlands force since retiring from that would cement his place in the senior career, will oversee a project that will enable school in 1990, a decade side for a long time to come, scoring leavers to study for BTECs, diplomas and apprenticeships, of that on the beat, and the vast 29 first-class centuries and 18,098 while also improving their cricketing skills. The Paul Nixon Coaching and Cricket Foundation is open majority of that time in one of the runs at an average of 36.34 and to teenagers between 16 and 19 and Nixon explained: most demanding and unforgiving claiming 671 catches, as well as taking “They are youngsters with a keen interest in cricket and districts of England’s second largest 72 stumpings. a talent for playing the game and we aim to give them the metropolitan area. opportunity to develop their skills while also doing their In doing so – he now works as a BTECs, diplomas and apprenticeships. police controller, assigning officers “They will be coached by the pros in the morning and “People can often then do their lessons in the afternoon and the scheme is to jobs within his designated patch – be so up designed to keep them involved in the game. Humpage returned to the occupation “The young players are the future stars and if I and he had pursued prior to being signed in giving their all the other coaches and staff can help them develop as as a professional, having joined the on the field that cricketers - and in their learning - that’s great.” police cadets after leaving school. they don’t always “Going from the area where I grew see the end coming, up to the tough area I patrolled was but the PCA instil a Putting trust a shock to the system,” he said. “It’s sense of realism” in Azhar like when you go out on to a cricket pitch with your team-mates – you Surrey all-rounder Zealand, as well as for have to have trust in your comrades Geoff said: “The truth was, I wasn’t is the Kent in the UK, prior to his and they in you. And if they got in much cop standing up when I first first Pakistani cricketer stint at the Kia Oval. trouble, you had to be ready to go came into the side and I just had to do to become an official The Trust Ambassador for the British was founded in 2007 at the and help them out. my own thing, as well as watch and Asian Trust. suggestion of HRH The “You could have 30 or 40 offenders learn off others, because there was no The 39-year-old joins a Prince of Wales to make converge on you who didn’t mind specific coaching. prestigious list of former a positive difference to hurting a police officer. We didn’t have “But I could catch, having fielded players who have been the lives of disadvantaged the stab proof vests they have now – a lot at first slip and, in my eyes, the given the role and it people across South Asia all we had was a woolly jumper and fact you had the gloves on made it includes Rahul Dravid, by supporting 30 high , impact charities, so far a piece of wood – and we saw plenty that much easier!” , touching the lives of more of knives, guns and even a samurai The 1984 season was Geoff’s anus Isa Guha and Dimitri than one million people. sword. You never knew what you mirabilis, scoring more than 1,800 runs Mascarenhas, as well as Said Azhar: “Supporting were going to get. at an average of over 50, often comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar charitable projects has “I loved my years playing for at number four, which led him to be OBE, entrepreneur James always been important to Caan, Slumdog Millionaire me wherever I have played, Warwickshire, but there is no doubt named a Wisden Cricket of the Year actor Dev Patel, and but through the British in my mind that I did a better, more for 1985. His terrific haul included BBC broadcaster Mishal Asian Trust I am looking important job for the police, even if centuries in both innings in a match Husain. forward to getting involved you don’t get the same adulation.” against Gloucestershire, where it was Mahmood has played in the very best work, Taken on by Warwickshire in 1974, reckoned he spent less than 40 minutes across the world for teams tackling the most difficult Geoff first signed as a batsman and off the pitch in the entire game. in his homeland, India, issues and achieving Bangladesh and New incredible things.”

12 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk MEMBERS NEWS

International honours came in the shape of when my team-mate Andy Lloyd couldn’t While Geoff was largely left to seek his three one-day internationals in 1981 against go,” said Geoff. “It was while I was out there own future outside the game, he is delighted Australia, but he suffered badly from nerves I got the call to say the rebel team hadn’t got that the PCA now take an active part in at the home of cricket, Lord’s and then was a second keeper and would I play? encouraging players coming through to frustrated to come in at number eight in the “People may think I was naïve, but at the plan for the day they hang up their spikes, following match at Edgbaston. time I was just a professional sportsman voluntarily or not. Still he is proud of his 11 runs at the trying to earn a living and I could earn in He said: “People can often be so caught highest level – ‘it isn’t much, but at least I three weeks there what I could earn in six up in giving their all on the field that they can say they are international runs’, even if months normally. don’t always see the end coming, but the he wished for more opportunities to prove “The BBC phoned to ask me if I was PCA instil a sense of realism. himself. It was not that frustration, however, upset that they had taken my name off “I would have loved to have been a that was responsible for him going on a the roll of honour at my old school as a cricket manager and stayed in the game rebel tour to South Africa – and he certainly result, but I wasn’t promoting apartheid. myself, but I had to steer away from the was not aware of the ramifications. I was just playing cricket for a living just selfish route because I had a young daughter “I was out in South Africa anyway as I have done in England, Australia and to consider. That’s life. It’s tough, and the because I went to to teach as well.” PCA are trying to prepare players for it.”

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 13 MEMBERS NEWS WHEELER SITS COMFORTABLY “On a personal level, of represents the interests of all the things I’ve been lucky shareholders. In this case, enough to achieve during my the PCA shareholders are the career, this is probably one of current and past players. the proudest I have ever done,” “The Chief Executive- said Wheeler, who played Chairman relationship is a key two first-class matches for one and the two will interact Northamptonshire in 1985. on an almost daily basis. “As a minor Second XI The chairman is the person cricketer all those years ago, the the chief executive can talk prospect of becoming chairman to - being a chief executive ven more of the players’ association was is quite a lonely job in any comfortable in the a million miles away from organisation because you’re boardroom than where I thought I would be. the boss. You need to have he was out in the “The most important part of someone who doesn’t have any middle, Matthew my qualification for this role is political axe to grind.” EWheeler is well qualified to that I’d spent 25 years running Wheeler is well aware of lead the PCA into the future companies and sitting on the vital role the PCA play in as their new Non-executive boards. I have an understanding helping players through tough Chairman, taking over from of good governance and the times, as well as giving them Anthony Wreford at the end of right way to run businesses. an opportunity to spread their September. The fact that I’m an ex-player wings on the other side of the And although the 52-year- as well obviously helps because rope, and he wants old acknowledges that what I think I understand how to expand the services on offer lies ahead poses a considerable players feel. during his chairman’s tenure. challenge, the former “An important thing in any “It doesn’t matter whether Northamptonshire bowler is organisation is continuity but you have played two first- relishing the prospect with an at the same time you need class games and had to give enormous sense of pride. evolutionary change. If you up at 23, or 100 Test matches Over the past 25 years, look at the great cricket teams and given up at 35, the PCA Surrey-born Wheeler - a you don’t want all your senior plays an absolutely vital role,” graduate of University of players retiring at once. So he said. “It’s the day-to-day Exeter - has been a leading with Anthony stepping down advice, support, help and figure in the international after five years, having done a education we provide for sports and entertainment fantastic job, it made sense that players that’s so important. market as a Senior Executive, I step up to the chairman’s role.” “Something like 75 per entrepreneur and adviser. One of Wheeler’s first courses cent of all players now have a He is also Managing Partner of action has been to assist personal development plan. We of investment firm Sports in the appointment of a new do rookie camps and provide Investment Partners, Chairman Non-executive Director in his education on all the issues that of international creative place, with an announcement arise for players, including marketing agency BDA and that Peter Read - a former the particular challenges that a Non-executive Director at partner of KPMG and current come with addictive behaviour Input Media. Chairman of Alastair Cook’s and corruption – a lot of good It’s an impressive CV and Benefit Year - has been things. was a fundamental reason why appointed to the board. “The PCA have been the PCA moved to appoint him Beyond that he will continue successful in the last four or to their group board as a Non- to work closely with the rest five years and there’s been a executive Director in 2009. of the PCA management team, good team in place but we Five years of experience in that with the aim of getting best can’t stand still – the world of role are sure to serve him well value for the organisation’s cricket is constantly changing. as he strives to continue the membership. We have to continue to provide PCA’s successful expansion of He added: “Normally in great services, but strive to be recent years. a business, a non-executive even better.”​

14 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Members news ALL OUT FOR A NEW CAREER ccording to identifying talent and enabling add-victor, a players to recognise their London-based transferrable skills. recruitment agency A ‘Careers in the City’ specialising in workshop, instigated by PDM Ahelping elite sports professionals Nick Denning at Hampshire, and military personnel to make was recently held by add-victor successful career transitions, to give current players an life after cricket needn’t be a understanding of the type of daunting prospect. careers available to them within Former Harlequins and the financial services. England rugby player Steve White-Cooper identified a Player testimonies niche opportunity when he founded the agency in 2012, based on his belief that the (Yorkshire) skills and experience in Analyst, Global Markets, professional sport are highly leading US Investment Bank desirable to most companies. “It’s of key importance to He explained: “The qualities understand and believe in the that help make people power of your transferable successful in sport are easily skills. add-victor strengthened transferable into genuine and my belief and provided rewarding second careers. priceless support to apply my Businesses are increasingly skills and experience in a new keen to get their hands on and exciting workplace.” driven, talented people, who understand the value of being Gareth Rees (Glamorgan) in a team, winning, and Internship, Securities working hard.” Division, leading US Since add-victor’s Investment Bank inception, they have placed “add-victor have opened the more than 80 candidates in door - and my eyes - as to business roles and White- what I want to do with my Cooper said: “There is career after sport. Having no denying that a strong completed this internship I academic background can have been able to grasp what I give a candidate the edge, want and where I want to be.” especially when applying for roles in specialist areas, but Stephen Peters (Northants) many of our clients are global companies who are looking Internship, for people with excellent Global Insurance Broker leadership skills and the “Many players worry about desire to succeed.” their future and I’m no The agency are proud of different. add-victor helped their partnership with the provide me with a direct PCA and the add-victor opportunity to gain work team continually liaise with experience and now a part-time Ian Thomas and his PDM’s, role with one of the world’s who play a critical role in largest insurance brokers.”

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 15

The full list of Yorkshire 2014 winners PCA Player of the Year openers take Adam Lyth (Yorkshire) PCA Young Player of the Year the honours (Yorkshire) ECB Special Award orkshire pride was very much David Collier The PCA Awards has in evidence on a special night always been regarded at the 2014 PCA Awards, as PCA Special Merit Award, as the event that rounds Adam Lyth and Alex Lees sponsored by Lycamobile joined forces yet again to Yscoop the top two accolades. off the domestic season The talented openers built the - a night to reflect on platform for so many of Yorkshire’s NatWest T20 Blast the previous six months victories on their way to LV= County Player of the Year Championship success and their efforts (Kent) and pay tribute to those were justly recognised by the men who know best. Royal London One-Day Cup whose achievements “It was a really proud moment for Player of the Year deserve recognition. me,” said Lyth, after collecting his PCA (Durham) Player of the Year Award. “I thought it was a brilliant night four years ago when I won the Young Player of the Sixes Award Year Award and to win the main one is a (Sussex) tremendous honour. “I’m particularly thrilled because it’s England FTI MVP of my peers who cast the votes. It’s been the Summer a fantastic summer for Yorkshire and James Anderson me and I’ll never forget the feeling I had when we took that last wicket at Trent FTI Team of the Year Bridge to clinch the title.” Adam Lyth (Yorkshire) Left-hander Lyth, who is 27, was the leading first-class run-maker in the Daryl Mitchell (Worcestershire) country, scoring 1,489 runs at an average (Notts & England) close to 70. He also performed admirably (Yorkshire & England) in the shorter format of the game, (Yorkshire & England) including two half-centuries in the Royal Tom Smith (Lancashire) London One-Day Cup, to end the season with almost 1,900 runs in all cricket. Darren Stevens (Kent) Lees was named PCA Young Player of the (Lancs & England) Year on a glitzy night at Old Billingsgate, Jack Brooks (Yorkshire) that saw more than £100,000 raised for Jeetan Patel (Warwickshire) the PCA Benevolent Fund, and admitted he James Anderson (Lancs & England) found the experience “very humbling”. He said: “I honestly wasn’t expecting Waitrose Women’s it. Just to be short-listed was a huge honour and I’m so pleased to be joining Player of the Summer such a long list of illustrious winners. I know there are still a lot of areas where I need to improve and I mustn’t get too Investec Test far ahead of myself, but picking up the Player of the Summer Award is just brilliant.” James Anderson Adrian Rollins

Teaching players to develop a back-up plan Professional cricketers learn to live with the stark reality that they could be a split-second away from a career-ending injury. Adrian Rollins is one who came to hear the dreaded words: “No more county cricket”. But as he explains, by having the foresight to take advantage of PCA support, his Plan B was already in place. words: Matt halfpenny

ust like that, it was over. One “It can come as a shock if you are not Two years ago he moved on to a The moment Adrian Rollins was mentally prepared, because a cricket career Bemrose School in and, as of the taking a catch at short leg, the is not a finite career for most players. new school term in September, he has next his first-class career was at “When I had the bad news about my taken up a role as an assistant headteacher an end. injury I was disappointed for 48 hours, at The Pingle School in South Derbyshire. JThe then Northants batsman didn’t but no longer. I had planned to retire He said: “In London, I worked in one of give up straight away. He had not one, once I’d got my degree, but that brought the poorest boroughs in the country and but two, operations in a bid to rectify a it forward.” they were very tough kids. The fact that I troublesome broken wrist, but it was all was bigger than most of them helped – but to no avail. Before he knew it, he was also because of my sporting background being told by his surgeon: “That’s it. No which gave me some respect. more county cricket.” “The PCA “But you can’t do everything in life But for Rollins, it was not the end of have always through sport and that’s what I wanted the world. Of course it was a devastating to show in going back to teach in the area blow but he knew it meant he had to get wanted to help where I grew up. It’s traditionally been a on with the rest of his life. A life outside me ‘get on’ beyond way for people in the area to ‘make it’, of the bubble of cricket. such as was the case with Sol Campbell Fortunately, he had planned for such cricket, and that’s and Jermaine Defoe, but I wanted to show a new chapter, so although disappointed why I started to do that without education you can’t do things. he had to retire on the say so of the “I wanted to teach maths as well as PE. medical profession, rather than in his my first courses, Not everyone believed I could achieve own good time, there was no panic. with their that, but I’ve gone back to my roots and By that point, Rollins was already help” shown what is possible. Hopefully that’s part-way through a degree in what kids will aspire to.” mathematics and education from the Rollins is under no illusions about Open University, with the help of the difficulty of his new assignment financial support from the PCA. in Swadlincote, a former mining town The organisation also lent a hand to Rollins had already looked at going into that has suffered, like many other East part-fund the Masters in education that social working, but found it not for him Midlands conurbations, as a result of pit followed, which enabled the now 42-year- and so he went on to become a school closures. He knows it is going to be far old to get onto the teaching ladder. sports co-ordinator in Luton. from easy in a school that has been in “The PCA have always wanted to help Once qualified, he took up a position at special measures. me ‘get on’ beyond cricket, and that’s why Academy as a maths teacher But he has drawn strength in his short I started to do my first courses, with their and later moved to London to work at the time since taking up his post from the help, on sports psychology and fitness and Brampton Manor School (now Academy) determination of the school’s head, Vivien nutrition back in 1995,” he explained. and JRCS. Sharples, and values her unstinting support.

18 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk

Adrian Rollins

20 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk “The fact that you’ve played first-class cricket might be a talking point but it means nothing when it comes to impressing at a job interview”

Adrian Rollins “I had to use the ‘detention “There has always been a great demonstrates the stamp’ I have for 15 kids at the same concentration support network there to lean on that helped him time in my first week, ” he said, at various times too, such as when score 13 first- “but they will soon get to know you do make the transition from class and two one- where the boundaries lie and learn day hundreds with playing. There are other players Derbyshire and that they can’t push me too far. in the same boat, or have been Northamptonshire “It’s my opinion that we have through it, who you can talk to.” to do the very best for every single Rollins is all Unfortunately, Rollins’ thorough smiles at a child that comes into school – and preparation for life off the field is Northamptonshire it’s great that Vivien thinks the not always the norm – and that is photo call and same way. It’s one of the reasons I has always strived something the PCA are working to retain a positive took the job here. hard to change. outlook, even “There’s a lot of work to be The right-handed batsman who through the tough done, but I’m quite prepared to do times scored 7,331 first-class runs at it to help improve things. You can’t 34.41 in 129 matches for Derbyshire just expect to click your fingers as well as Northants, and still turns and for everything to be great. You out in club cricket for Derbyshire have to graft hard at it and it’s club Quarndon, is urging young definitely a tougher challenge than players coming through the ranks when I was playing cricket.” now to secure a second career as Rollins will remain forever quickly as possible. grateful for the PCA’s ongoing He said: “The fact that you’ve support, which is why he has offered played first-class cricket might to mentor a young player as they be a talking point but it means make their own way in the game. nothing when it comes to He has reaped the benefits of the impressing at a job interview. organisation in several ways and Ultimately, employers want to found it particularly vital when he see what skills and qualifications split up with his former partner and you have. mother of his children. “The key thing is to take the “It’s not just the financial chance to go on courses when they support with the PCA,” said come your way – don’t look a gift Rollins. “They supported me with horse in the mouth.” counselling when I needed it in the Rollins didn’t. He learned his midst of a custody battle when it lesson so that now he can help was quite emotional. others to learn theirs.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 21 GAMBLING clinic Don’t bet on it compiled by: Simon Ecclestone & Matt halfpenny

Problem gambling can ruin they have money to burn. industry exploits is that, despite the odds, Making more money through people convince themselves they’ll win. It lives – and cricketers are gambling can seem easy and, especially if was writer Mark Twain who said: ‘Denial not immune to the dangers. you’re lucky enough to get an early win, ‘ain’t just a river in Egypt’. you can start believing in the mythical Self-deception is the cruellest part Fortunately, the PCA have entities like possessing a Midas touch. about gambling because gamblers will been proactive in tackling the You can feel invincible. never admit the real situation, desperately The dressing room that becomes a clinging to the illusion of being in control, issue head on, getting help formative influence is a competitive known as the ‘Gambler’s Fallacy’. for those who need it. environment filled with competitive people No-one likes to admit they’ve lost, where judgments on predictions and game- especially if their judgment was endorsed awareness are a central part of the culture. with a bet, and so the balance of bets won t’s everywhere these days: flashing Gambling can seem a natural extension of and lost is rarely reviewed honestly. A at you on the internet, seducing you this skill set, one for which players selective amnesia develops because on television, on display in every feel unusually qualified. Such the lure of the next win out- newsagent… Kids are coming across it an environment is exciting weighs past losses. at an increasingly young age and they and much is excused “the lure And here is another Ithink it’s normal. I’m talking, in case you’re under the ‘banter’ problem: how do you wondering, about gambling. banner. But it is a of the next win respond when you lose? There are few areas of modern day life false sense of security out-weighs past Do you lie about it? where gambling has not penetrated because, where weakness and losses. And here is Do you try to balance where there’s money to be made, gambling failure is ignored – the books by ‘chasing’ won’t be far away. With the increase in players and gamblers a problem: how wins with more and gaming options and the wider spread of do not talk about do you respond bigger bets? The advertising vehicles, gambling addiction is their losses. when you lose? landscape can quickly becoming a problem of increasing magnitude. Cricketers also start to fall and it’s a It seems professional sportsmen are have a lot of free time, Do you lie slippery descent. particularly disposed to drifting on from a especially during the about it?” To acknowledge there harmless punt to an unhealthy addiction. working week, when they is a problem is a toe-curler; The players’ associations of the PPF are all need to occupy themselves recent research suggested that looking into the potential problems related to while friends and family in more people see gambling as a more gambling in their sports and trying to develop conventional jobs may be at work. It embarrassing habit than substance a greater awareness among their memberships. sounds like a luxury but, unless you have abuse. But, like any addiction, the key is to There are three basic requirements to other hobbies and interests away from cricket, seek help before it gets out of control. gamble: cash, desire and access. This is a it can be difficult not to get bored. Gambling The financial effects of addiction are good fit for the lifestyle of a professional is not boring. limitless and the effects on your physical and cricketer. Cricketers today get paid The hard truth is that gambling, despite mental health, relationships and work can relatively well and, particularly for young being closely aligned with sport, is not a be similarly catastrophic. It may simply be a players without responsibilities and freed passionate pursuit like the playing of a wake-up to adjust habits and lifestyle but, if from the structure of full-time education game; it is big business based on cold facts. there is a bigger issue, the PCA can help and and academy programmes, it can seem like The biggest, coldest fact the gambling are here to speak to in confidence.

22 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk GAMBLING clinic

Lining up Expert Analysis support If it is acknowledged that a player has a gambling problem, then expert, confidential You’ve heard of the PCA Confidential help is at hand through the National Problem helpline, but how does it work and Gambling Clinic, with whom the PCA have when should you use it? Long-standing established a ground-breaking partnership. Confidential Helpline co-ordinator Dr Henrietta-Bowden Jones is a Lead David Raines explains. Consultant Psychiatrist at the clinic.

“The confidential helpline has been in “Since we began the place for more than 10 years now. It is a partnership with the PCA 24-hour service for both past and present in August last year, we players where they will remain totally have regularly consulted Gambler’s anonymous if they wish, using a toll-free with Jason Ratcliffe and I number from the UK and a BT landline think we have established Health Check number to call from abroad. a system that works quite “While the service is called a helpline, well. Any cricketer who Thinking about the last 12 referrals can come from a variety of sources needs treatment in a months, how often have you: including team-mates, coaches, GPs, staff crisis gets it immediately. at the PCA and Personal Development Working with cricketers has, in some ways, 1. Bet more than you could Managers as well as the individual themselves. been easier than working with members of the afford to lose “Whatever the route, confidentiality, speed general public who have a gambling problem Needed to gamble with of reaction and a customised service are because they have another strong focus in their 2. paramount and each member will get at least larger amounts of money lives that has been with them from a young age. to get the same excitement four sessions of help and support. Ideally “We use a programme that encourages those sessions are face to face, with the first people to find an alternative positive behaviour 3. Gone back another day to session an assessment from a professional. to their gambling to replace it and, for win money lost “A support plan is customised around cricketers, they have a ready-made alternative. the member’s playing schedule, should That’s in contrast to some people we treat who 4. Borrowed or sold things they have one, and domestic situation say there is nothing else for them to focus on – to gamble and continues until the PCA member is fit and they can often have been emotionally and enough to resume normal activities. The physically abused or bullied as well. 5. Been criticised by others range of problems tackled include anxiety, “On the down side, though, cricketers are for your betting or told you depression, problems with career transition, often surrounded by gambling, meaning they had a gambling problem gambling and substance abuse. are more likely to check out the odds than the “There are two main service providers: LPP average man in the street. They’re also more 6. Felt guilty about gambling Consulting are mental health professionals likely to be targeted by others to participate. who provide a high quality clinical service, 7. Had health or anxiety It’s often about removing the triggers to stop problems caused by gambling specialising in supporting elite sportsmen people gambling and, as a cricketer, it’s harder and women. A second, for gambling, is the to get away from those. 8. Had financial problems for National Gambling Centre in London. “But we have seen good results in the people you or your household “In my role, I check members are treated and it’s been just as important to work on caused by gambling comfortable with the clinicians who look prevention in the first place, with my colleague after them, liaise with all the relevant parties Neil Smith having been around some of the clubs Allocate the following point to ensure the PCA gets the services it requires, to explain the dangers and how to avoid them. provide the flexibility and practical support so score in answer to each of the “We are based in London, and people have above questions: a member can have a home visit or a discreet generally been prepared to travel down for meeting near their club and ensure that issues treatment, but slotting it in around someone’s 0 = Never don’t get into the public domain. commitments can be tricky, and when they are 1 = Sometimes “While members are strongly encouraged to engrossed in what they are doing – say in the 2 = Most of the time use any referral route, they should not hesitate middle of the season – it can be easy to stumble 3 = Almost always to contact me directly. We can’t stress enough on triggers that start the craving. that confidentiality is absolutely paramount “In the US, the model is to have the Adding up the total score and information is never shared with staff at equivalent staff as ourselves, addiction from the answers to the the PCA, individual clubs or the ECB. specialists, on hand in each changing room, eight questions, the following “It’s very encouraging that most of the so they are present as and when a problem point aggregates suggest the stigma attached to such things seems to be occurs. We are not at that stage yet, but things following: subsiding and that the take-up is are constantly evolving and it may be 8+ = ‘Problem gambler’ “In now so much more widespread. gambling the in the future we have an outpost in 3-7 = ‘Moderate risk’ many must lose The sole aim is to help people get in order that the the north of the country to make it 1-2 = ‘Low risk’ few may win.” on with their lives.” George Bernard Shaw easier to seek treatment.” GAMBLER’S HEALTH CHECK Answer the questions below HONESTLY

and award the following points for each answer: ➙ 0 = Never • 1 = Sometimes • 2 = Most of the time • 3 = Almost always THINKING ABOUT THE LAST 12 MONTHS, HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU: 1. Bet more than you could afford to lose 2. Needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get same excitement 3. Gone back another day to win money lost thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 23 4. Borrowed or sold things to gamble 5. Others criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem 6. Felt guilty about gambling 7. Had health or anxiety problems caused by gambling 8. Had financial problems for you or your household caused by gambling

YOUR TOTAL SCORE What➙ does this mean? 1-2 = Low risk • 3-7 = Moderate risk • 8+ = WHAT NOW? ... Now is the time to speak in confidence ... David Raines PCA Confidential Helpline Co-ordinator +44(0)7711 018 440 • [email protected] Ian Thomas National Personal Development Manager +44 (0)7920 575 578 • [email protected] Jason Ratcliffe PCA Assistant Chief Executive +44(0)7768 558 050 • [email protected]

www.thepca.co.uk/health-and-wellbeing-gambling.html Chris Rushworth

Still on the waggon In the last issue of Beyond the Boundaries, we ran a news story on Chris Rushworth, who was looking to go through the year without drinking alcohol in the name of charity. You’ll be pleased to know that the Durham seamer is still firmly sticking to his guns – and enjoying life and cricket more than ever.

“Surprisingly enough, I believe it to be the the county’s best ever first-class match haul, best thing I’ve ever done,” reflects a slimmer, beating Alan Walker’s 14-177 in 1995. fitter, happier Chris Rushworth. For a player The memorable stats helped him collect 64 who liked a pint after a hard day’s play, giving wickets during the 2014 summer at 24.65 – he it up for a full 12 months to raise money took 54 in 2013 – as he was able to stay fully fit for the PCA Benevolent Fund and Save The and injury free to play in every four-day match. Children was no small undertaking. “The benefits have really opened my eyes and But the 28-year-old has absolutely no I’m so glad I’ve done the challenge,” he explains. regrets about his bold move to go cold turkey, “I feel like my body is coping a lot better with which has improved his general lifestyle and things and I generally feel a lot fresher and altered his outlook, not to mention giving his healthier, plus my muscles don’t feel as sore already wholehearted performances on the and generally not as stiff after a day’s play. I’m field that extra dimension. able to bowl more, and for longer spells. I feel While some of his fellow professionals may physically fitter, and the loss of weight and have been feeling the effects of a long, hard general wellbeing is all a big plus.” season come September, Rushworth was still Rushworth’s stellar end to the season firing on all cylinders to the point where he continued when he helped his county to Royal became the first man in 75 years to take 15 London One-Day Cup success, taking 2-24 in 10 wickets in a County Championship day since economical overs as they beat Warwickshire by Chris Rushworth: enjoying life after off-spinner Tom Goddard claimed 17-106 for three wickets in a low-scoring thriller at Lord’s. giving up alcohol Gloucestershire against Kent in 1939. In fact, “I thought in January that I would find this for a year for his incredible figures of 15-95 were recorded challenge tough, but to be honest the benefits charity; In the game in just three-and-a-half hours as opponents I’ve gained from it have made it much easier against Northants, Northants were shot out for 83 and 90. than expected and has been a huge eye opener,” Rushworth became The Sunderland-born right-armer started he says. “The main thing is I’m raising money the first player since the collapse with a first innings 9-52, narrowly for two great charities, so I’d love to have some Gloucestershire and England great Tom missing out on being the first bowler to capture more support and donations please!” Goddard to take 15 or all 10 wickets in an innings since fellow Durham You can donate to the PCA Benevolent Fund more wickets in a day player did it in 2007, and followed and Save the Children at: https://mydonate. it up with 6-43 second time around to give him bt.com/fundraisers/chrisdry2014

24 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk WELCOME from your PDWP team

The 2014 season has magazine and content continues to be positive and we are always open to ideas, seen a number of contributions and informative messages to retirements from the our members. Thankfully, there are a lot of quality people involved within cricket and professional game and it’s encouraging how cricketers always want they have occurred in to help others - no matter what generation they played in. different ways. The Personal Development programme is extremely grateful to those past players who Some have been through injury and that’s recently volunteered their details to the newly always disappointing because it often means formed ex-player career advice network. The they have had no choice in the decision. aim is to link players’ interests to specific Others leaving the ‘stage’ have, in the main, ex-players in the field for insight and advice. taken the option to call it a day. More on that later in the magazine. Either way retirements are always individual, We very much hope the winter is a productive and it’s important for the PCA to support them one for you - and that you get to achieve the as such. After the recent survey of past players, personal development goals you have set for it was documented that it can take those who yourself during the close season. are retiring up to two years to effectively deal with the transition. We continue to support Best Wishes, them with regular contact during that period, and more recently we have developed a Transition Manual that is aimed at helping to support them through the process. Feedback to our Beyond the Boundaries 07920 557578 / [email protected]

YOUR personal DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS

Ian Thomas Lynsey Williams Matt Wood Phil Dicks Charlie Mulraine Nick Denning Simon Ecclestone Having experienced I am passionate about The transitions from I have been with Having played both Understanding the need Being a professional the ups and downs of the impartial role PDW elite sport to so-called Durham in one capacity cricket and rugby for players to have one cricketer is a dream, playing county cricket, I plays in supporting ‘normal life’ must not or another since their professionally, I am eye on what is coming it gives you so much: found myself amazed by players to achieve their be underestimated. The minor county days. Now well aware of how next in their lives is unique experiences, the insecurities during a aspirations both on and PDW programme is they are an established uncertainty about essential. Having had a purpose, friends, player’s career. Planning off the field. I believe crucial in helping players first-class county,I ’m the future can have number of experiences identity, fulfilment, for the inevitable change in the importance of through challenging enjoying the challenge a negative impact on in different industries confidence, inspiration, of a career while playing encouraging players times, both during and of helping the club and performance on the as an employee and structure, fitness, will always be part of to create, identify and after their career. Elite the individual players field. Planning for the self-employed person, travel, money, time. the life of a cricketer. seize opportunities sport can be a lonely to fulfil their potential. future isn’t just about and having felt the The problem is, as I feel the Programme when and where place at times and it I combine my roles of security for life after highs and lows of it was for me when I helps players with the they can to better is important that the video analysis and PDW sport - many players the transition from found out I couldn’t insecurity of cricket themselves as players players know we are work to support players have said doing this playing to working, play anymore, imagine and makes personal and people, and in there to help and support from academy to the has actually helped I am confident I can if cricket was removed development a healthy supporting individuals them on and off the pro staff. them enjoy their cricket help players prepare from your life tomorrow thing to do alongside to become better pitch. I feel passionately more. Knowing how to for the ‘real world’ - how do you fill in cricket, allowing for a prepared for and about this role and, as ‘sell’ your skills and from an impartial and those gaps? The PCA is smoother transition better able to manage a former player, can experience, to build knowledgeable view- an extraordinary asset, out of the game the wide range of truly understand its networks and to get point. dedicating people and when needed. Most challenges they are importance and value. on with people are key resources to make sure importantly, it takes likely to face at different tools for continuing that difficult transition away the stress while stages of their playing your success beyond isn’t a nightmare. All concentrating on cricket career and beyond. the game. you have to do is use it. performance. responsibility for: responsibility for: responsibility for: responsibility for: responsibility for: responsibility for: responsibility for: Glamorgan, Worcestershire, yorkshire, durham LEICESTERSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE, Middlesex, Somerset, Warwickshire lancashire, derbyshire, SURREY, SUSSEX, Essex, Kent 07703 477 195 Gloucestershire NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE mCc ycs 07990 883 971 [email protected] 07867 459 202 07920 575 578 [email protected] 07826 535 783 07867 459 201 07785 619 443 secclestone@ [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] thepca.co.uk

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 23 what I AM DOING this winter Opportunity knocks Most of us are poised to wave farewell to the sun for the next five months or so... but life goes on. The winter period for cricketers is always about recognising and exploiting new opportunities until they can get back to doing what they do best and here’s a glance at how some PCA members intend to spend their time. COMPILED BY ian thomas

Tom Poynton Richard Jones Derbyshire Warwickshire Alongside my rehabilitation to full fitness After a few winters of indecisiveness, for the 2015 season, I have been working testing Lynsey’s resourcefulness and as the Partnership Manager for the patience, I have recently received an offer commercial team at Derbyshire CCC. My to study Sports and Exercise Science at circumstances with my injury and crash Manchester Metropolitan University. It’s are obviously very tragic and difficult, a four year part-time distance learning however I wanted to use the opportunity course which fits in perfectly with training of not participating in the 2014 season to commitments during the winter, and the gain some valuable experience in a business ever hectic playing schedule of the summer. environment. I have found the experience It’s taken a while for me to get to this enriching and rounding, something that I point, having flirted with the idea of feel will only benefit my return to cricket Sports Journalism and Business degrees next year. I intend to continue this role without being able to fully commit into the winter months as I recommence to either. However, I can finally get full training, as well as putting my name excited about my impending studies as forward for the “Being a Board Member” it is an area I am passionate about and I programme, kindly organised by the PCA, harbour a desire to work as a Strength & to gain some experience in corporate Conditioning coach in the game once my governance and board room culture. playing days are over. Although graduating is at the end of a long, arduous road in front of me, I already feel a sense of relief by having clarity in what I want to do after cricket Middlesex and finally working towards that goal. At 28, I feel I’ve reached that time in my career The role that Lynsey has played as my where I need to start looking at what I might Personal Development Manager has been do when I stop playing. I think it’s fair to say I invaluable and without her endeavour I could never see myself sitting at a desk and I’d doubt I would be in this position. So I’d much rather be out and about doing something like to take this opportunity to extend to practical. Having talked through some options her my sincere gratitude - thanks Lyns! with Eccles (my PDM), it seems like a good idea to combine my winter training with some work experience to get a taste for working in a different area. A friend of mine is a plasterer and I’ve always liked the idea of doing a trade, so I’m going to do some work with him for a couple of weeks to see if I enjoy it and can imagine doing it as a future career. Depending how that goes, I have two other contacts I can follow-up with, a plumber and an electrician, to get an insight into those trades. I’m also going to get my Level two coaching badge as I imagine being able to coach will always be something I’m interested in to some degree - whether it’s full-time or as a part-time role.

24 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Wayne White Lancashire After taking on an Open University Degree in Business Studies earlier in the year I am now looking forward to my winter of study and training. I have had to manage my course work around training and playing and have really enjoyed the content. With an extended period up to January now I am excited about learning more. I have also used my network to gain some work experience in Derby so I can apply some of the material to real day to day business situations. The Open University intake in September and February is perfect for players to jump on and learn while they prepare and charge up for the new season. David Balcombe Surrey Sussex I've been fortunate enough to be playing This winter I have organised to do an cricket professionally now since 2006 Open University degree in History. It is a and over that time have been afforded part time course and I'll be doing it module many opportunities to travel, meet new by module over the course of six years people and also develop myself outside of overall. I decided to do it part time so there cricket. I feel over the years I have used would be less pressure on me during the my off seasons wisely, be it travelling summer months. I'm actually really excited to develop my game abroad in the early to do some studying again as it feels like stages of my career to pursuing internship I have hardly used my brain since leaving opportunities which I have now done on school. Having a history degree can help three separate off seasons. I have worked me in a lot of ways post my cricket career; in varying fields from sports sponsorship journalism and teaching are two things evaluation with Kantar Sport, retail that spring to mind but it'll also just be marketing with Jack Wills, to a business nice to learn in any case. ambassadorial role with a recruitment firm Network Executive. This coming off season will be no different. Whilst there may be a change afoot with my professional career I shall Surrey also be challenging myself with another This October I am furthering my knowledge internship opportunity. John Lewis have and experience of the world of coffee. I hope kindly offered me the opportunity to to open my own coffee shop at the end of gain experience in their electronics and my career. I have signed up for two courses homewares marketing department, the with the London School of Coffee: a basic internship will also provide a cross over to barista course and a City and Guilds course work with their audio visual retail buying entitled 'how to start a coffee shop.' After team. I have been incredibly fortunate attaining these awards I intend to do some to gain this opportunity because they work experience both in a coffee shop and very rarely recruit from outside for these in the wider coffee industry alongside my kind of internships, tending to prefer cricket training in November. graduate schemes and recruitment from Recently I have set up a linkedIn profile within therefore this experience will be so that I can keep in contact with the invaluable. The commercial world, brands professional people I meet who are outside and marketing have been subjects I'm the game. I figure now is the time to make particularly interested in and a field I contacts not after I retire. believe I may try and pursue further once I have continued working with Evelina my cricket career comes to a close. For Children's hospital in order to raise its now though, the early morning commutes profile in the south of England and to and sitting at a desk can hopefully hold off encourage other players within the dressing for a bit longer as there are plenty of overs room to get involved too. left in me!

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 25 Career focus

Words: Matt Wood

Not everybody stayed behind that day, but applied and not knowing if he would get in. “I for Alex Morris a drink in the bar after had been captain of England U19 and played Hampshire’s fixture against the British Fire alongside and under some great people through Service in 2002 took extra significance. The my career. I think having leadership qualities elegant former Yorkshire and Hampshire definitely helped me, I took my PT level 3 as allrounder gives us an insight into his day job as well which beefed up the CV and physically and a firefighter and what inspired him to the role. mentally I was fully committed. Cricket had given The popular Yorkshireman from Barnsley me a perspective on working under pressure and recalled: "We played against them for Hampshire showing flexibility to changing environments. In and after the game they all stayed for a drink this job you have to be able to make decisions telling stories. It sounded brilliant and I was that could save somebody’s life.” As the casualty hooked. I love being part of a team. I got a feel care instructor Alex is the first medical contact for how close-knit they were and I was impressed, on the scene. “There are two sides to the job, I could see myself in the role one day. I loved my when we help and save people there is immense time as a cricketer in particular the camaraderie pleasure amongst the team, obviously sometimes, and dressing room atmosphere, the highs and the sadly bad things happen. I have learned to ALEX MORRIS bowling lows and the test of character. Being a firefighter for HAMPSHIRE back handle this over time. The work we do around in june 2000 represents a similar environment.” the community is not just emergency calls. We Modestly, Alex reflected on the time when he run educational programmes and are constantly

26 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Career focus

Routes into the Fire Brigade

Firefighters protect and save people and property from fire and other dangers. They provide emergency support for incidents varying from tackling fires and rescuing people from burning buildings “Cricket to dealing with chemical spillages gave me a perspective and Road Traffic Collisions. However, on working under Firefighters also provide education and Pressure and showing advice on fire prevention as one of the flexibility to changing main roles of a firefighter is to prevent environments. In this fire and accidents from occurring in the job you have to be able first place. to make decisions that could save Words: Lynsey Williams somebody’s life” Examples of services provided • the ability to react quickly and by Firefighters include: remain calm in dangerous situations • controlling and putting out fires • a high level of self-discipline • dealing with bomb alerts • the ability to follow instructions in communication with local businesses and • rescuing victims from burning and regulations updating their fire regulations. buildings, accident sites and other • excellent communication and “I am on the Green Watch at Ossett station in dangerous situations teamwork skills West Yorkshire. We work two days on 8am – 7pm • managing chemical or hazardous • the ability to inspire confidence when then the following two days on night shift and then substance spills dealing with members of the public four days off. That is the cycle. Luckily my partner • giving presentations to schools and • initiative to deal with rapidly Helen and son Dexter(6) are fully supportive. I other community groups changing conditions love how diverse the job is, I love going to work • inspecting buildings to ensure they • good practical skills to problem not knowing what could happen - a bit like meet fire safety regulations solve and operate a range of tools cricket! I lead the fitness program and make sure • advising construction professionals and equipment we are physically prepared. We then do drill work on fire safety measures before and • an assertive approach for dealing keeping our skills and communication sharp, the during the construction of buildings with possible obstacles to rescue work bell could ring at any time. We are all responsible • the ability to write accurate for looking after the wagons and checking all the They also undertake routine station incident reports. apparatus is in perfect order. The team is full of duties, such as inspecting, cleaning good characters which is great for morale.” and maintaining equipment, carrying You also need to evidence through Alex also has developed a passion for cycling out practice drills and taking part your actions a commitment to and was a popular member of group 2 leading in training. Senior ranks are also diversity and integration, an openness the way for last year’s PCA Big Bike Ride. responsible for writing detailed to change and a commitment to “Seeing all my old pals from cricket was brilliant. reports of incidents, and carrying out personal development and excellence. I loved my time with Yorkshire and Hampshire. management and policy work. I like taking on new challenges and pushing Salary myself. Cricket was a special time for me and I To be a Firefighter you Salaries for full-time firefighters start still enjoy playing in the leagues and representing require… from £21,000 and they are expected the fire service on tour, I’ve not finished yet!” • stamina and a high level of to work on average 42 hours a week physical fitness over a number of shifts that can >

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 27 Career focus

many serving firefighters have spent months and years applying and getting themselves prepared prior to gaining entry. You too must be prepared to work hard and also be patient if you are to pursue a career within the UK Fire and Rescue Service

be day or night. This rises to around between 12 and 16 weeks (18 weeks in although some work in urban stations £28,500 once qualified and passed as Northern Ireland) to learn about fire safety alongside full time firefighters. competent after probation. Crew managers standards and protective measures, fire The recruitment and training process is can earn up to £31,500 a year, and station prevention and safety education work. almost identical to that of a firefighter so managers can earn between £36,500 and contact your local Fire Brigade for specific £40,500 a year. To prepare for the practical side of fire details. One trained up and qualified, apart Figures are intended as a guideline only. fighting, you will train in areas such as: from a few hours training per week and • fire behaviour and fire fighting pre-arranged duties, retained firefighters Entry Requirements • basic rescue techniques and entering only attend the fire station when they have Becoming a firefighter in the UK Fire and smoke-filled rooms received an emergency call out. Retained Rescue Service does not come easily. In fact • putting on protective clothing and firefighters have other occupations but need many serving firefighters have spent months using breathing apparatus to be able to get to the fire station within a and years applying and getting themselves • handling foam and other types of maximum of five minutes. prepared prior to gaining entry. You too fire extinguishers must be prepared to work hard and also be • using ladders, hoses, knots and With regards to salary, retained firefighters patient if you are to pursue a career within other equipment receive payment for work undertaken and the UK Fire and Rescue Service. • first aid, and health and safety. are usually paid for their hours when they are on call plus payments for responding to Each fire service (brigade) sets its own entry Following this induction training, you calls (see link below for more information). requirements so you will need to contact will join a fire station for a probationary the Chief Fire Officer (or recruitment period of up to two years. During this a competitive field officer) at the fire service you want to join time you will work alongside, and learn Firefighter positions are competitive and for details of entry requirements and when from, experienced firefighters and your don’t come up that often so being a retained they are recruiting. performance will be continually assessed. firefighter is for some brigades an alternative route into becoming a full time firefighter, In general, you must be at least 18 years You will receive on-going skill improvement as when vacancies do become available old on appointment, have a good standard training within a clear promotion structure they are trained and ready to go. However, of education, a reasonable level of physical and be encouraged to work towards some brigades make their retained staff go fitness and give details of any previous qualifications specific to your role for through the whole application process from convictions and pass background security example you may be encouraged to work scratch so speak to your local Brigade about checks. You will also need to pass a towards a specialist qualification like a their policy on this. standard national selection process you Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) license for have to go through known as the NFS. This driving fire engines. assesses your potential to perform safely To find out more about the training process, and effectively by getting you to take part qualifications and specialisms go to: in a variety of job-simulation exercises, http://www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk/home For further information about interviews, psychometric and physical tests becoming a retained firefighter and written exercises. Retained Firefighters… go to: http://www.fireservice. so what’s the difference? co.uk/recruitment/retained- To find out more about the recruitment Retained firefighters are a vital part of firefighters process go to: http://www.fireservice.co.uk/ today’s Fire and Rescue Service with recruitment/howtojoin approximately 18,000 retained firefighters For further information about providing efficient, cost effective and finding a job in Fire and Rescue Training and development reliable fire and rescue cover to around go to: http://www.sfjuk.com/ Once recruited, all new firefighters undergo 60% of the UK. The majority of retained sectors/fire-rescue/working- an induction training programme lasting firefighters are based in rural areas, in-fire-and-rescue/careers/

28 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk THE TIME IS NOW With modern life seeming busier than ever, it's easy for hours and even days to pass by. Matt Wood explains why making good use of your time is so important.

top for a second, take time accordingly. Remember your next yourself forward and job is running alongside your current imagine yourself in six career, even if you do not know it yet. months' time - 26 weeks, What you do or do not do with your 182 days or 4,368 hours. spare time will have a direct impact on WhatS will you be doing and just as where you arrive in the future. "What will you important, what will you have done Using your time wisely, every time with your time? You will never get it you say 'Yes' to one thing, you are have done with back. Time is simply one of our most saying 'No' to something else. There your time? You will precious commodities. It cannot be will be a good intention behind all your never get it back. bought, nor can it be invented. There is choices if you look closely enough. It is no right or wrong in this article, just a important that you align yourself and Time is simply one of message and an insight. The balancing your time so that what you want to our most precious act of using our time has never been get done, gets done. People pleasing commodities. It more important and here is why. can be a trap when you find you are The time continuum is interesting getting short of time. It can be helpful cannot be bought, and plays a huge part in our emotional to find a polite sincere way of saying nor can it be state and wellbeing. At one end of the no to some things. invented" spectrum you could be saying yes to The 6.30 am club. Many leaders in all sorts of things, with people wanting business and sport report that early a piece of you, and finding yourself morning starts give them a pre breakfast short of time. This can result in an window of opportunity. As Stephen anxious state, guilt or worry and fear of Covey wrote in The 7 Habits of Highly letting people down. At the other end Effective People, time to ‘Sharpen the of the spectrum is not using your time saw’. The pre-breakfast window can be efficiently. Wasted hours can become an investment in you: fitness, reading days and days could lead to weeks, (i.e. learning), studying, relaxing - a time which can result in low self-esteem, loss for you to choose how you attack the of confidence, a lack of motivation and day, what you want to achieve and the feeling drained and tired. Add together attitude you run with. dark mornings and longer nights We are all allocated the same hours and soon it can be an all too familiar in a day and everybody will be running formula. The off season for cricketers their own race. Owning your hours are the winter months AND traditionally and maximising your time is truly your a time to recharge and spend some down choice. Remember your hour by hour time. During this period of rest an extra and day to day choices now will meet hour in bed becomes more justifiable with an opportunity one day in the and Sky Sports News can become a future. How lucky will you get? good friend. If it only takes 21 days to What if you make the very best of form a habit, then be mindful of your your time this winter, how will that October routines. feel? What impact will it have on your Balance and some short term future and wellbeing? What if you planning can help you maximise your inspire those around you? time efficiently. Knowing what you want Time: one of our most precious to achieve will help you distribute your commodities. Work Experience

Legal eagle takes flight made good use of the off-season in expanding his future career options with a work placement at a law firm.T he Worcestershire all- rounder looks back on his experiences.

o perform at the highest level Wright and Leach was given the a professional cricketer must opportunity to work with the Family invest a significant number Law team every Thursday throughout of hours throughout the the winter. winter months to develop his Leach says: “I have really valued the Tcricketing skills and abilities. Today, time I’ve spent at Parkinson Wright as it professional cricketers are also advised has given me a really good insight into to invest spare time during the winter to what it means to be a practising solicitor. plan for their future beyond the game. I have had the invaluable experience of Research has shown that investment being able to witness how solicitors and in this area helps improve a cricketer’s barristers work, both in the courtroom ability to focus on the game, increases and behind the scenes. I was placed in their confidence and skillset and the family law department and so have ultimately reduces the uncertainty of not seen a variety of cases ranging from care knowing which career path to follow proceedings to injunctions. It has been when they finish playing. really interesting seeing a professional The PCA’s Personal Development environment away from cricket and how and Welfare Programme assists it is run and to be honest the pressures players in preparing for their on a lawyer are not too dissimilar to “the future, with regional Personal those on the . There is an pressures Development Managers expectation to do the best both by the providing group educational firm and the client all the time and the on a lawyer sessions alongside focused heavy workload that they are under are not too individualised personal means that pressure is inevitable, dissimilar to development planning. in much the same way as it is for a those on the The PDM’s and County professional sportsman.” Commercial Teams work Peter Lewis, Partner and Head of cricket together to develop links Family Law said: “We were delighted field” between club sponsors and to offer Joe the opportunity to work local businesses. The players are within our Family Law department. offered work experience in the area of Joe’s aptitude for the law along with business in which they would like to his ability to communicate with have a future career. clients enabled him to observe cases A recent example of this involved both in the office and the Courtroom. Worcestershire player Joe Leach. His professionalism was evident Leach is currently studying Law with throughout his time in the department the Open University. Worcestershire and we would not hesitate to include contacted Quality Solicitors Parkinson him as part of our team in the future.”

30 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk facing the end of the road

I was devastated. I had only After my first full year out completed two balls in the game injured, I realised cricket was not and as I sat in the changing going to last forever and I room, I knew deep embarked on an Open down that this University degree might be the end in Mathematics. of the dream. “If I were Doing Becoming a to give one something professional piece of advice to outside of sportsman the game was all players who have to really I ever call time on their helped wanted to careers, it would keep me do growing settled and up. This be to think about provided was definitely your future and a welcome influenced by plan ahead“ distraction my family’s love from the lows of sport, especially of injury. It has cricket. A walk through also given me a new the local pub takes you focus now that cricket has down memory lane with my great ended and I am hoping it will grandfather, grandfather and father provide me with a solid academic all featuring in many a team photo. grounding as well as a notable I had no choice. Cricket was going qualification as I search for my to be a huge part of my life. new career. At 16 I was taken on to the Many people have asked me Nottinghamshire Academy. I whether I would do anything played second team cricket there differently now that I can look before eventually making my first- back on the time I spent in the class debut for Gloucestershire in game. On the playing and training 2008 – meeting my team-mates side I don’t think I would, but on the morning of the game after I could have been much more driving down from the Midlands proactive in my planning for when the night before. the inevitable happened – when I Declaring A first-class changing room was had to finish. a pretty intimidating place to be I was pretty naïve as a young for a fresh-faced 18 year-old lad. pretender. I thought I would I had the likes of Jon Lewis, Steve spend 20 years in the game and at 25 Kirby, Craig Spearman all staring walk straight into a good job at me. It’s fair to say I was pretty when I finished, just because I had Not every professional cricketer gets to nervous. However, after a few played professional sport. That is games I had settled in and I knew definitely not the case in today’s choose when to end their professional that this was what I wanted to do job market and I do wish that I career. Gloucestershire’s Ian Saxelby – a life playing cricket. had done more work experience Cricket has been fantastic to during the winter months to find was forced to retire this summer due to a me. It’s not just the enjoyment of out what it is that I actually want knee injury, and is now preparing for the playing in front of big crowds. It’s to do now. the people you meet, the places you I have been very fortunate in my next chapter in his life. travel and the life experiences you transition out of the game. Injury have. I have enjoyed every moment has allowed me to take a break, re- Ten days before my 25th birthday that I have spent in the game. It evaluate and move forward in life I found myself walking off the has been far from all rosy though. but I know that this is definitely Kia Oval, limping across the turf Injuries have played a huge part not the case for everyone. If I with serious knee pain. It had in my career and have never really were to give one piece of advice to been 21 months since I last made allowed me to get on a roll. A good players who have to call time on it over the whitewash due to year followed by a full year off their careers, it would be to think complications with my shoulder, followed by a good year – it was a about your future and plan ahead. which has undergone four cycle that I could not really break. Don’t be scared of life beyond reconstructive surgeries to date. However, this cycle did have one the boundaries. Embrace it. Look To suffer a new injury felt like a positive. It allowed me to plan for forward to it. After all, it is far stab through the heart. life after cricket. better than 96 overs in the dirt…

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 31 personal DEVELOPMENT overseas Don’t Be A Beach Bum!

The allure of escaping to warmer climates is often an essential ingredient in longevity environment, time overseas can be just as, to play cricket after a hard season is of a career as not only is the cricketer if not more, productive than in the UK. It is never stronger than at this time of the challenged in new conditions and able to easy to think you won’t have time for things year when the body is tired and the keep in ‘nick’, but they also get to escape other than cricket such as work experience, weather uninspiring. Indeed, the thought their usual routines and team-mates, learning new skills, study or networking so of swapping the park for the beach, the helping them to mentally escape and return this article looks to challenge that mindset rain for the sun and a much more relaxed refreshed and invigorated ready for the next and encourage everyone going overseas to existence and reduced playing schedule intense season. consider how they can get the most from rarely fails to inspire. This change of scene Despite the often more relaxed their winter abroad.

Ask yourself these The Diary of a Beach Bum: two questions: Day AM PM Evening Monday Train (gym)

Why am I going away? Tuesday Train (gym) Train (Cricket)/Socialise

What do I want to achieve? Wednesday Train (gym) Socialise

Thursday Train (gym) Train (Cricket)Socialise Below are a few graphics that might help you decide Friday to swap the Xbox for Saturday Match vs Manly CC Socialise 'expanding horizons' Sunday Recover

The Diary of a Pro-Active Cricketer: Day Early AM (7-9) Late AM (9-12) PM Early Evening Late evening (6-8.30) Monday Train (Recovery Work Experience/Internship Rest session) Tuesday Train (strength Distance learning/ 1:1 coaching Train Beer with team session) Open University mates Wednesday Train (Swimming Work Experience/internship Squad Coaching session) Thursday Train (Strength Career Blog writing for Train Beer with team session) development county website mates research Friday Rest Trade/DIY skills tuition Rest Saturday Match vs Manly CC Socialise with club members Sunday Recover

32 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Book club S.W.O.T. Analysis of a winter overseas: If you get a chance to start reading Strengths Opportunities more during the winter months here • Learn to play in different • Time - with no obligations other are a few good titles recommended by environments/conditions/cultures than to yourself, there is ample time to the Beyond the Boundaries. • Learn key life skills – cooking, cleaning, explore where you might want to go with decision-making and organisation developing a career away from the game • Strong performances keep your abilities • New network – the club you play at, in the forefront of coaches' minds at the regardless of its size, will be full of people beginning of the new season willing to help you achieve whatever you • See the world, meet new friends, learn want during your time with the club. new things about yourself, others and Take advantage and ask people if they different environments/cultures can help you out, even if they can’t they • Gaining a network and employment are likely to know someone who will. whilst abroad looks great on the CV to • The Christmas break – use this time prospective employers and will give to explore the country or surrounding you great confidence in your countries. A change of scene and employability back home environment will help broaden your • Working whilst abroad can mean you horizons and provide you with new are much better off financially than if learning experiences. you’d stayed in the UK • Learn a new skill, hobby or formal The 7 Habits of Highly • Some players do genuinely suffer qualification. For example, take up an from Seasonal Affected Disorder and instrument or learn a language, study a Effective people getting sun during the winter months topic of interest or qualification by Stephen Covey can significantly improve their mood, through an online provider such as  well-being and motivation to train Open University. One of the most influential books ever • Charity work – can you give something written. A holistic, integrated principle back to those around you or raise money based approach to solving personal Weaknesses for a charity you have an affinity with? and professional problems. Principles • Change of environment and culture • Write a blog, take pictures or keep that give us the security to adapt and can lead to a less active and healthy a diary or journal – at the very least embrace change and the wisdom lifestyle for a prolonged period of time, communicate with significant people back and power to take advantage of the which can impact preparation for home so they know how you are getting opportunities that change creates. the next season on. If you’ve performed well, let people • Costs involved can sometimes mean know as out of sight is often out of mind! you are eating into savings or going into debt. Could working off-set this? Threats • Depending on your schedule you can • The freedom of having few have a lot of down time compared responsibilities can mean that doing to being in the UK, consider if you will something ‘constructive’ is easy to put be more focused and productive in off until sometime later – the sooner you your cricket and non-cricket get into a routine the more likely you are development in the UK. to be productive with your time. • Loss of network so it requires effort to • Boredom, loneliness, escapism activities, mix and meet new people. why are you going abroad – think about • Not every player benefits from playing your real reasons and motivations throughout the winter every winter – • If you are out of contract it is difficult what is right for your body and mindset? to keep in touch with coaches from other counties and if you have an agent, are Legacy you out-of-sight-out-of-mind? by James Kerr • As with all travel, there may be different rules and regulations to follow, take time  to learn these. Also take precautions What the All Blacks can teach us about to keep yourself safe and healthy when the business of life. James Kerr goes travelling. Tourists can be targeted by deep into the heart of the world’s most criminals so research your area and take successful sporting team, the legendary advice from people you trust. All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 33 Raising your profile How to Build Profile a Bespoke 5 People have new connections Name LinkedIn Profile Job Title compiled by Charlie Mulraine LinkedIn is an invaluable networking tool in business and one that offers many benefits for the pro-active professional Location cricketer. As with other forms of social media, there are some simple dos and don'ts for using it successfully and here, with the help of Jane Barrett from Career Farm - a consultancy Suggested job specialising in MBA and executive level career development - 100 Education are your 12 simple tips for building an effective LinkedIn profile: connections Accountant ABC Accounts LTD. - United Kingdom All about you... London, Use a heading which Spend time on your summary really want to highlight skills like “C++ 1 represents you correctly 4 Many summaries I see are a programming” on your profile? As a recruiter Many cricketers put ‘professional cricketer sleep-inducing list of technical skills this would instantly make me wonder currently looking for work’. Given that or, even worse, a list of competency whether you’re really a techie at heart. the headline is important when a recruiter skills (e.g. excellent team player, strong Joe Bloggs is searching this is missing a valuable communication skills). That tells me Consider the order and length ker. 8 Is now following Peter Par opportunity to position yourself. What do absolutely nothing (!) as you are giving of time you were tiencheree... you do? What is your specialty? Are you a me your opinion, not evidence. What Consider the order inExpe whichr you put your multi-lingual, degree educated professional recruiters want to see is facts, e.g. presented experience and the amount of detail you cricketer? Then say you are! marketing plan to the club commercial include for each of your roles. For example, team resulting in approval for a new if a company you set up comes above your Peter Parker Think about making your “Captain’s Club” sponsorship package. full-time employment it suggests to me that e Producer 2 headline punchy This gives me the inkling that you may have your company is your real passion and I Executiv Consider using vertical lines, like this | good communication skills, which I can might not get 100% if I hired you. Also, I which you can cut and paste from Word then explore at interview. I want to see real would expect to see more achievements for to make your headline look more punchy. achievements. a position you held for five years as opposed I tried using stars and diamonds but felt it to a position you held for six months. looked too showy for my personality and Hide information opted for the elegant vertical line which I 5 You are able to hide your membership Turn off your activity broadcast had seen used by someone who I respected. of various groups. This feature may be useful 9 when you update your profile if you are investigating new career directions Do this because: Your headline positions you and don’t want to: (a) it’s annoying for people who have 3 Many people I work with are trying to (a) alert your manager, or connected to you to see every little update, and change career. Often to make this happen they (b) present an unfocussed image to (b) if you are in employment it alerts your have to make a couple of moves. So think about prospective employers. manager to the fact you are updating your youts from your headline and what cross-transferable profile (i.e. gettingTwo page ready e xamplesto job hunt!) I copied and the la Beware of using abbreviations also they can see when you are LinkedIny phon to e. I was thinking skill you want to emphasise. If you are trying the Linked In App on m to change function it’s less likely you will be 6 If you’re trying to change career, recruiters. ou used in the you could use the same logo y approached on LinkedIn by a recruiter, but it’s check that any abbreviations you use are eplace the blue square in the more likely if you are trying to change industry. understood outside your industry and/ Monitorarticle who title is v andiew ring However, make sure your skills don’t look too or function. For example, if you’re trying 10 your ptroopfile right corner. specific to your former industry. No jargon. to move into a less technical role do you If you are actively job-hunting look at who

34 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Past Players Profile Work Database ve new connections 5 People ha Last month all current players will Name have received an updated Personal Job Title Development Plan (PDP) via email as well as a flyer sent in the post with an ostrich with its head in the sand. The rather unsubtle imagery is a reminder that the PDMs are here to help. We appreciate that seasons are hectic and downtime valuable, however we also Location know from experience that making future plans is time well spent. Gandhi knew what he was talking about when he said “The future Suggested job depends on what you do today”. On the PCA noticeboards at the 100 Education connections Accountant “The future ABC Accounts LTD. - London, United Kingdom depends on what All about you... you do today” is viewing your profile and follow up if it is And to finish, my pet hate. Please someone from a firm you are interested in. Ask customize your invitations to people to Mahatma Gandhi if they need any more information or if you can whom you want to connect. One MBA help them find the person they are looking for. recruiter I know says she refuses to link grounds, you will also hopefully have Joe Bloggsto anyone who doesn’t customize their noticed the flyers highlighting the What does a lack of winvitation. following P Ieter personally Parker. think it is the on- importance of managing your money 11 recommendations say about youIs n?o line equivalent of running up to someone, Experience... and the potential pitfalls of gambling. I have spoken to a couple of recruiters and shoving your business card in their face Again, we are not here to be “fun- the endorsement feature on LinkedIn seems and then running off again! If you have crushers”. Being savvy with your not to be particularly useful, and even the actually met someone, following up with a finances is a skill worth working on recommendation feature is viewed with a standardPeter invite Par comesker across as just rude and enhancing your knowledge on this healthy dose of scepticism. The thinking and lazy; and if you haven’t met someone Executive Producer area will give you greater freedom in being you are never going to ask someone you are much more likely to have your the decisions you can make. who might give you a bad recommendation. invitation accepted if they know why you To help you make these decisions, Fair point, but I do think if a manager, want to link to them. we have launched a new project colleague or someone well regarded in the this year in the “Past Players’ Work industry has taken the time to write you a Database”. Tapping into the vast recommendation then this can only be good experience and expertise of our past for your personal brand. playing membership, we have created Finally, remember that while LinkedIn a database of former players who are 12 Are you giving out the message is a great tool for job searching and willing to offer you career advice and you are not new media savvy? networking it is just that…a tool. / or work experience. We have over If you are going for a business development or People help people they know, like and 60 names on the list covering careers sales role - perhaps a low number of contacts trust. Nothing substitutes for picking such as teaching, accountancy, law, means you are not a strong networker? up the phone or meeting someone face youts from consulting, hospitality & events and Two page examples I copied the la However, having said this there are some to face to get results. many more. It’s far easier to make y phone. I was thinking superb networkers who are not on LinkedIn, All sound advice from Jane! You can the Linked In App on m contact with someone who knows ou used in the but they do tend to be of the older generation. subscribe to her blog via this link: you could use the same logo y where you’re coming from and eplace the blue square in the Rightly or wrongly if I see someone is not on www.thecareerfarm.com. If you would what your experience can bring to article title and r LinkedIn and of an age up to say about 50 – like to create a bespoke LinkedIn orner. a new career. This is going to be an top right c unless they are massively famous or successful profile please ask your Regional PDM. invaluable resource so please contact – I wonder if they are a bit behind the times! your PDM to access it.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fourteen 35 EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT

hen confronted by the Whilst he enjoyed his job and had prospect of having to learned some valuable skills, he didn’t change careers, there feel an office-based job was a natural is an understandable fit. “I didn’t feel a strong sense of tendency to focus achievement working through a job list onW finding the perfect job straight via email and meetings.” away, something that will tick all The final year had coincided with the boxes immediately. But that is him buying a house with his fiancé, often an unachievable goal and such which needed some alterations to turn high expectations can often lead to it into their home. a frustrating, stressful time when a “I studied carpentry at college for player is dealing with accepting that a year after leaving school and my their cricketing dream is gone and family have always been in the building needing to move on. trade,” he comments. So he took on Neil Saker was released from Surrey the work on his house himself and in 2008, aged 24 and, like many young enjoyed the results so much that he has cricketers, felt he had more to offer the now moved back into carpentry, again professional game. He spent the next through a contact from his cricket club. two years playing for his home club “I really wanted to learn and and coaching whilst trialling at other realised how much I missed learning counties and playing for the and performing a skill each day. It is to try to get back into the game. It more like cricket in a way: I had to didn’t work out but Neil was lucky deliver a skill-set each day and liked enough to find a job through a friend having something tangible to look at in at his cricket club, Reigate Priory, with the end – I had a natural motivation to an internet-based start-up company. finish the project as well as I could.” He was a project manager for a variety It took a few years for Neil to realise of online sport products like ‘We are what it was he was looking for in his tribal’ and ‘Roulette Cricket’ as well post-cricket career, beyond the necessity as managing the letting of a box at the of paying the mortgage and his story Oval for marketing purposes. is a much more realistic approach to “It was all new ground for me and a transition into a second career than interesting to see projects through from expecting one dream job to follow concept to going live – to understand another. Unfortunately, moving on all the component parts and skills that often does take time and experimenting it took to put a project together," says and not expecting everything to fall David Leatherdale Neil. But after three years the work into place immediately is an important batting for Worcestershire, dried up and the company and his thing to accept. It is important to enjoy circa 1992 role in it, hit a wall, forcing a re-think. the journey.

36 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Career focus The ultimate county hot seat

David Leatherdale a local radio station, metal worker, The administrative trainee accountant, marketing Chief Executive of manager for a sports clothing retailer position of a county Worcestershire CCC and and a sales and marketing position former Worcestershire player with Worcestershire. club Chief Executive In the last year of my playing contract is one of the most Born in Yorkshire, Leatherdale came in 2005, the club offered me a contract through age group and representative to play only one-day cricket - I may prestigious in cricket, Yorkshire schools cricket before be wrong, but I think I was the first securing a playing contract with player on the circuit to be offered a requiring strong Worcestershire in 1986. He went on to contract on this basis. I was also offered leadership skills and play for the club for 20 years during a the administrative role of Commercial golden period for the Pears, winning Manager as a combined role, which the ability to balance all four domestic competitions. His turned out to be a great opportunity. personal playing highlights include Since then I haven’t looked back.” the books. A number bowling figures of 5-10 against of former players have Australia in a one-day game, and David officially retired at the end his first century for the club against of 2005 and was given the full time taken up the challenge Somerset. Leatherdale retired in role of Commercial Director at 2005 and for the past nine years has Worcestershire, before eventually upon retiring, and been working at New Road in an stepping up to take over as Chief Lynsey Williams and administrative role, becoming Chief Executive following Mark Newton’s Charlie Mulraine Executive in Sept 2010. retirement in 2010. talked to two current On leaving the game did you Who has inspired / influenced ever think you would become you most in your career poachers turned Worcestershire CEO? progression? “I can honestly say that I didn’t set out “There are countless people who gamekeepers. with that in mind. I knew coaching have helped me along the way and wasn’t for me and that I enjoyed the from who I have learned. However, administrative side of sport more, but within cricket Worcestershire’s former at no stage did I plan where I wanted Commercial Director John Osborne, to be or do set things to get this role. as well as Mark Newton, stand out Looking back on the work experience I as key influencers of my learning and gained while playing, and afterwards, I development and I am thankful for can see how the variety of the roles I’ve their time and support.” held has equipped me well and led me to this role.” What do you enjoy most about the role of CEO? Can you describe in more detail “The Chief Executive’s role in cricket your route to CEO? is very diverse and covers every “When I played you were only aspect of the day-to-day running of contracted and paid for the summer the business: from finance to HR, period and so I found work in the PR to marketing and sales, property winters with various businesses, developer - having just built a new primarily to earn money to pay hotel and conference facility at New the mortgage and support a young Road - not to mention dealing with family. I had a range of jobs including players and contracts and the pastoral working as a charity co-ordinator for care that goes with that. Some would

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 37 Career Focus say that you are a “jack of all trades” and I am fortunate that during my winters off the David Smith various roles I have covered have given me Chief Executive of a broad knowledge of all the skills required Northamptonshire CCC to fulfil the role, which ultimately makes the and former Warwickshire player position exciting, if somewhat challenging at times.” “I played for Warwickshire for 12 years and took advantage of all the winter In your opinion, what are the key travelling opportunities in South Africa, skills and experiences needed for Australia and New Zealand. It was a the post of CEO? wonderful life. “A good all-round knowledge of business By the time I was in my mid-twenties, I is essential. I don’t consider myself started thinking about a future away from an expert in one particular field but cricket. I took a Chartered Institute of I’ve invested time to learn about and Marketing diploma, which I hoped would experience all aspects of business and also assist me for life after cricket. about the governance of the sport. A good At 29 years of age, I left the game and grounding in finance is essential, since a joined First Leisure Corporation. At my CEO needs to be able to read, understand interview the first words to me were: “I and interpret figures, stats and financial have seen you play for Warwickshire”. reports in order to make good business Cricket got me through the door and I will decisions. Looking back, the six months I always be grateful for that. spent with Meredith and Co. Accountancy I spent the next 20 years with the game during my working life. were invaluable in this respect. business. We owned Blackpool Tower, The I became Chief Executive at Although not many Chief Executives are Winter Gardens, seaside piers, nightclubs Leicestershire in 2007, and joined ex-players, I believe my knowledge from and bars, West End theatres, hotels and Northants three years later. My inside the dressing room assists me in my gymnasiums. It was a fantastic experience, commercial, food and liquor background role, in so much as my understanding of the and in time I became a Divisional Director. undoubtedly has helped me prepare for sport, the culture and also what the players I realised, looking back, I had been spoilt the role, as has my finance and P&L and coaches are going through enables me as a professional cricketer and the outside experience over the years. to have empathy and consider the leadership world was harsh. You had to deliver, or Enjoy cricket and make it work for and day-to-day running of the club from face the inevitable consequences. you, but remember it will not last for both a playing and business angle.” I spent nine years on the Committee with ever and prepare for the inevitable Warwickshire so stayed in touch with the parting of the ways.” Finally, what advice would you give to a current player who is considering an administrative role like yours when they finish playing? “Use your time in the winter to gain as many different ‘job’ experiences as you can to help work out what you are interested in and good at. You will take something from every experience, good or bad. Indeed, the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired from my different jobs has given me a breadth of experience that has prepared me well for the role of Chief Executive. Seek opportunities to learn and be mentored by experienced business people. I’ve been fortunate to have been mentored and inspired by many people during both my cricket and non-cricket career. Talking with and shadowing people in senior roles is invaluable and helps you to grow a strong network of useful connections. Invest time to gain relevant qualifications. In my day, education was not seen as such Man of the match David Smith Shares an important factor as it is now. If there is the champagne a course you could do while playing that with warwickshire will improve your business knowledge and captain after their natwest chances of gaining employment post cricket, semi-final, 1982 then start it now!”

38 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk simon cook

our man cookin the east

Simon Cook took a ’s a task as steep as the Peak things start to get altogether trickier in Tramway slope used to shuttle his long-term vision to make bat and ball leap of faith to trade tourists up the mountainside from almost as familiar as mobile phones and his home comforts It where they can enjoy spectacular, school textbooks. panoramic skyline views of Hong Kong To Hong Kong’s overwhelmingly Chinese for the Far East in City. But just as the cars have implausibly community – making up 93.6 per cent of becoming Head Cricket chugged their way to the summit since 1888 the populace – cricket is a game they will – negotiating a gradient experienced Tour never have seen, let alone played. Study is Coach at Hong Kong de France riders would baulk at – so Simon the number one priority for parents with Cricket Club. Matt Cook is determined to conquer his own regard to their children, not becoming the metaphorical mountain, by helping establish next , , or any Halfpenny jetted out the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ as a genuine other sports star for that matter. to meet the former cricketing force. The cricket played since Hong Kong CC You don’t need to be an ICC global was formed in 1851 - it’s the sport’s oldest Middlesex and Kent development officer to see the potential the club in Asia - has almost exclusively been bowler and discover Special Administrative Region of China has played by British ex-pats and those who to offer. For a start, the city and its environs have travelled from the sub-continent to his motivation behind are home to more than some seven million work in the former colony. Home-grown the unusual move. people. The remnants of colonial rule means talent has been as thin on the ground as there are also established cricketing venues, land on which to build in a city where space clubs and leagues in the province too. is at a premium. But, for former Middlesex and Kent seam Yet Oxford-born Cook, 40, has begun to bowler Cook, now Head Cricket Coach see real progress in his bid for change since at Hong Kong Cricket Club, that’s where he swapped England’s green and pleasant

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 39 simon cook lands for an apartment in downtown Wan A phlegmatic Cook said: “It’s a completely right in the heart of the financial district, close Chai. And while his loyalties first lie with the different culture to England, where kids are to HSBC’s current headquarters. success of the Hong Kong Cricket Club’s own exposed to cricket and are likely to have Even with the money from that sale, senior, women’s and junior teams, he also played on the park or beach. Even if they HKCC still relies heavily on the patronage of recognises a wider responsibility to develop have never played they will have seen it on their members, bringing with it an exclusivity. the game as a whole, taking on a role as television and will know intuitively what to But there is still room for talent to flourish, bowling coach with the national team for do. In China, a lot of kids will hold the bat with fees for those actively playing greatly their ICC World Cup qualifying campaign in and have no idea what to do with it. reduced, along with the joining time. From New Zealand in January. “It was a huge learning curve for me Cook’s point of view keeping the cricket “Part of the ethos of the club is that we coming here having to explain from scratch ticking over brings a highly-pressurised want to be a centre of excellence for Asia what cricket is, like you would to an alien. environment. and part of that is reaching out into the The penny really dropped when we had done “Previously I’ve not had the chance to community and getting more Chinese people some batting, bowling and drills and do the volume of administrative work playing,” said Cook. “The Hong Kong they were getting it. But then we tried a game, that comes with something like this,” he Cricket Association (the national body) do a and they had no idea what to do.” explained. “Dealing with the volume of heck of a lot, running coaching courses, and Stepping into Hong Kong Cricket Club emails – upwards of 150 a day – 400 kids in we do the same. Schools send kids here and itself is a slightly surreal experience, given our youth programme, doing all the teams – we start them in January and run 16 sessions that it’s a slice of traditional village green seven under-11s, three under-13s, two under- through until June. From that, we invite 15s, two under-17s and one under-19s, plus players to join our cricket academy too. the girls teams… “The long-term aim is to have an all- “There is a lot to do and it’s the type of Chinese team, certainly in the youth squads, thing you don’t ever see when you’re playing. and then push them through. Hopefully they Coaching is just a part of it and still being will be engaged, enjoy it and will stick with it able to provide the players with the quality and earn places at first-team level. The Hong and time that they need, while also trying to Kong national team have just got ODI status get through the mountain of other stuff, has and missed out narrowly on going to the It was a huge learning been a really good learning curve.” World Cup proper. They beat Bangladesh in curve for me coming here Senior Cricket in Hong Kong takes on the prelims of the World T20. China looks several forms. For many years, the 50-over, on that quite favourably. The key is to get having to explain from one-division Sunday League of 12 teams an icon player and we’re probably three or scratch what cricket is, was the competition, with a 35-over league four years from that. Once we have that, two-division of 10 teams format occupying a everything else follows.” like you would to an alien - Saturday, while Taverners (over-45s) games As a right-arm seamer, Cook was made we tried a game, and they were staged on Fridays. HKCC continue to wait to play first-class cricket. He was to provide three teams for each of the two plucked from the relative obscurity of had no idea what to do” leagues, fielding unusually-named teams such Oxfordshire club side Cumnor, while as the Gat Ramblers, the Witherers and the working in business administration after first England and the antithesis of the modern, Optimists, who are fiercely independent. missing out at trials during his early teens. bustling Hong Kong. It has an ornate In recent times, however, a new Premier But he captured the attention of , scoreboard, a pub-style bar, complete with League played over two days and featuring who was scouting future England captain honours board, a trophy cabinet and a one 50-over and one T20 match has come . viewing balcony with a stunning backdrop on to rival the well-enshrined order and was ‘Chef’, went on to secure a place on a smog-free day. designed to improve skill levels among the the Lord’s staff alongside the likes of At the same time, the club, who also host national team. The best players from all the Mark Ramprakash, and Phil a number of sports, are a microcosm of the clubs’ teams are put together in a six-team Tufnell, and his journey to the top of the city; built to maximise the small amount of league played on Saturdays and Sundays, domestic game taught him the full value of space they have at their disposal. The outfield outside the regular season calendar. patience and perseverance, qualities he has hosts a bowling green with collapsible All games in a busy calendar take place at come to appreciate he needs in abundance borders that convert into part of the outfield, the city’s three grounds – HKCC, plus Kowloon in what remains, for the moment, a while on top of the Sports Annexe are two Cricket Club and Mission Road, both on the cricketing outpost. full-size tennis courts. other side of the harbour. With so many games There’s also an centre – across the myriad of formats, it’s easy to see complete with nets, bowling machines and why the season takes so long to complete, Hawkeye cameras – a multi-purpose sports running from September to late May. hall, snooker room, golf simulator, ten-pin “It depends who you talk to as to what is bowling alley, gym, children’s play room the leading competition, but for me it’s the and restaurant, adding to the sense that Premier League because it’s the best of the it’s become a place for all the family to feel best,” he said. “I believe it’s right that we welcome, not just the members themselves. don’t rank our teams, and the Sunday League Much of what now lies in situ, a haven still has that unity and bond between each high up in the hills, was made possible from of the squads. The Premier League, however, investment following the sale of the original gives the top players a chance to push for Chater Road ground in 1975, which was international selection.”

40 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk simon cook

Cook’s journey to employment on the other side of the world began during his playing days when he toured China in 2005 with the MCC, which included visits to Beijing, and Hong Kong. When his friend Mark Wright got the job of Head Cricket Coach, he was invited out for a three-week period to prepare for a new season with Kent. It was a process he repeated for three seasons, and by the time Wright was promoted to Sports Development Manager, Cook was well known to the players and staff, offering a seamless succession, which began in August last year. His appointment followed nine months working as a consultant for the French Cricket Federation, following retirement as a player in 2012. Cook is thankful to the PCA for their help in setting him on the coaching path and he’s encouraged in his ambitions to continue in cricket by the achievements of those such as Nottinghamshire’s Director of Cricket Mick Newell, who has been elevated to the position of England selector without having ever played at the highest level himself. He said: “I was a PCA rep at Middlesex and Kent, but it was only when I moved to Kent that I really started to take an active look into what I was going to do in the future. The PCA helped me go through my coaching qualifications, which was a great help, half funding my course. “Things have obviously moved on well Simon Cook, the New head cricket coach surveys his surroundings at the historic since then, but I’m still very keen to get into hkcc; left: in one day action for kent at the professional world whether coaching edgbaston in 2010 in England, India, Australia or whatever. I never got to play international cricket but I would love to take that step up in coaching.” Grand ambitions, indeed, but why not? Right on his doorstep, the seemingly unstinting development of Hong Kong is all the inspiration Cook needs to prove that few obstacles are insurmountable should you put your mind to it.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 41 chef’s specials Ingredients serves 1-2 2 small chorizo sausages, sliced 250 gram mixed ready to eat seafood In each issue of Beyond the Boundaries (squid, mussels, prawns) we will bring you a PCA member’s 2 cloves of garlic 1 bag baby spinach signature dish – and where better to Black pepper (pinch) start than Warwickshire’s batsman- Sea salt (pinch) cum-chef , fresh from Juice of half a lemon helping his county to NatWest Blast Parsley chopped (handful) T20 glory. Chilli flakes (optional) The hard-hitting right-hander displayed Linguine all the right ingredients to serve up a man of the match performance in method the Birmingham Bears’ victory over Bring water to the boil and chuck in the linguine and a pinch of salt. Once Lancashire on home turf in August, boiled, turn the heat down to simmer scoring a delicious 53 from 30 balls. for six to eight minutes. Melt a knob of butter in a big frying Yet the Londoner is just as likely to hit pan on a medium heat. Add in the the spot with what he produces out of chorizo and let it fry for a couple of minutes so the oil of the chorizo releases the kitchen, having spent last winter’s into the pan. Once the chorizo looks close season honing his culinary skills done, take out the chorizo pieces leaving the oil in the pan. behind the scenes at Edgbaston. Add in the seafood along with garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper and chilli Laurie’s choice is chorizo with seafood flakes if needed. The seafood will only on a bed of linguine and baby spinach. take a minute or so to heat through, once heated add back in the chorizo and the spinach to wilt. When draining the linguine, keep a bit of the water back and add the water and the pasta to the seafood pan.The starch in the water from the linguine will give the pasta a silky texture. Take the pan off the heat and stir the pasta through the seafood. Plate up and sprinkle the parsley over to finish.

42 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk ihuidfvdhuivhvhduivhd ifvudifuvviduzbv

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 43 jkdvstructurebgsdhv explained

ECB MOU This ECB funding underpins our core STRUCTURE members activities including provision of insurances, anti-corruption and anti-doping initiatives and the overall PCA Assistant Chief Executive Jason Ratcliffe Personal Development and Welfare on the core functions of the organisation. Programme. The ECB’s income is underpinned by long term broadcasting deals with BSkyB for domestic TV rights, and ESS for overseas rights. Players will often ask me how our extensive Without the players, the broadcasters member services programme is funded, which wouldn’t have a product, so it is right over the years has seen millions of pounds and proper that some of that money is invested into core PCA functions such as LTH & W invested for the good of the membership. player education and welfare. EA E That funding comes from two ER SCRE H NC ENI LL main sources: through our D CA NG B Memorandum of Understanding N R IN A E with the ECB - with our current U K ORK PL C five year agreement due for S W A I F A C IS N renegotiation in 2017 - and E ENT L W G C M EL E M G our events /commercial T N G L M I N B A partnerships programme. E IN TI- E N A AN CO E W P Every single penny B P E R I N E R C R N that is generated is spent L O I U A E G T D V P R on core services for the L L U - D T R S I A E benefit of our members, E S A I O O T D N which includes both S L W N

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T value and therefore players leaving the E S N A T game now are much more likely to stay P in touch with the PCA and we’ve also been working tirelessly to reach out to former players who may have lost touch with the organisation. The result has been an increase in requests for assistance from the PCA Benevolent Fund and also for finance to help fund personal development and educational courses. PCA MANAGEMENT LIMITED (PCAM) This is fantastic news. It shows that we are reaching Owned by the PCA, PCA Management Limited remit as the commercial arm, is to out even further to our membership and providing more raise money over and above the core ECB MOU and most importantly for the PCA support than ever before to past and present cricketers. Benevolent Fund, via its events and fundraising. This is driven through packages It also illustrates why our need to continue generating of commercial benefits and unparalleled access to leading cricketers, past and funds remains imperative. present. PCAM also services the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and everything connected to the commercial rights of the current England group.

PCA MASTERS EVENTS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME The Masters programme is a key element of the A comprehensive event programme This programme offers commercial partners PCA’s commercial activity. Past and present county is run around international cricket, access to a wide range of high-profile and international players play against clubs and golf series, networking events and former international cricketers for bespoke at company events. If you would like to make of course the PCA Awards. Auctions events and commercial activities. Guests yourself available for selection, please contact Erin at these events raise the money for rub shoulders with these household names Caldwell at the PCA: [email protected] the Benevolent Fund. creating a unique and inspiring occasion. Social Media TAKE GUARD - Specialist media law firmH imsworths work regularly with footballs teams such as Liverpool and Manchester City as well as with the PCA in providing members with increased support and advice regarding media, legal and social media issues. The agreement is designed to help protect, educate and expand opportunities for players on social media and in the media in general.

CHAT ROOM Three TWEETS THAT ocial media offers fantastic opportunities to build a players’ WENT BADLY WRONG brand, from engaging with sponsors and interacting with fans, to controlling any messaging you want to get into the public domain. It can also present a real threat to a players’ Politician tweets away $174,000 salary reputation and in some cases, even their career. Price: salary; dreams of being mayor, president Anthony Weiner, the former Democratic S congressman for , resigned in By sticking to Himsworths’ top five tips on social media best practice, players June after sending a sexually explicit can maximise the opportunity it presents and minimise the dangers online. photo of himself to a college student over Twitter. He initially claimed his Twitter 1. Beat the fakes account was hacked, and ended up losing Get your account verified to stop any confusion and to stop any fake accounts.I f his $174,000-a-year job. He now works as reported correctly, Twitter and Facebook will assist in removing these accounts. a media pundit.

2. Know the rules The ECB’s rules state that “No [player] may conduct himself in a manner… Juror tweets, judge orders retrial which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket”. This means you could Estimated price tag: $600,000-plus be punished for simply swearing. The ECB and your club will be particularly The Arkansas Supreme Court reversed the concerned about language which could be deemed homophobic, racist or in murder conviction of a death row inmate any other way prejudiced – even if it’s meant in jest. after a juror tweeted that the trial was over nearly an hour before the jury announced 3. Lock your door its verdict. The defendant, Erickson Dimas- Hacking is rife on social media as the hacking of the accounts of footballers Martinez, was convicted in 2010 of robbing Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero, showed. Hacking software can enter every and shooting a teenager. His lawyer said word in the English language in just one minute in an attempt to work out your the juror’s tweets violated the trial judge’s password. Use symbols such as ‘!@£$%^&*’ or replace letters with numbers or instruction not to talk about the case. Even symbols to make your password safer. If you are hacked, respond immediately if the juror did not intentionally discuss the using Twitter or Facebook’s helpful guides. case with anyone, by sending the tweet he was inviting conversation. 4. Don’t feed the trolls Social media provides a platform for any anonymous person to pick a fight with you online, so ignore them. ECB rules, your club, sponsor obligations and your reputation dictates that you have far more to lose than an average person by Associated Press Twitter account getting into a Twitter spat. Ignore and block anyone who tries to engage in an hacked. Estimated price tag: $136 billion online argument. In April 2013, the Associated Press’s Twitter account published a tweet claiming that 5. Manage your public profile two bombs had exploded at the White Facebook enables you to customise your privacy setting and close off House, injuring the President. Just two information to a group of friends. Upgrade all security and privacy settings and, minutes later more than $136 billion had if in doubt, don’t post information or a photograph online. Twitter is almost been wiped off the Standard & Poor’s 500 always public, so make your messaging positive. Treat Twitter like a television (S&P) stock market index in New York. The interview – it’s that serious. tweet wasn’t true, with the AP’s account having been hacked via a phishing email. It did however, put a very real dent into the For more information, visit www.thepca.co.uk/social-mediam US Stock Exchange, which it took a while to or call Member Freephone on 0808 1684 655. recover from.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 45 career focus The Leaders of the pack

1. When did you realise you 3. What was it that made you For many cricketers, the wanted to pursue a career decide coaching was for you? transition from player in coaching? MD: It is the closest thing to playing, with to coach seems to be a MD: While I was playing I ran a coaching being in the dressing room. The lifestyle natural process. There are camp in Port Elizabeth with is very similar to being a player – you are which was aimed at young players from the outdoors, you are working in an industry many ways to go about UK and associate nations. I enjoyed it and you know and there is not so much upheaval doing it, and there is no found I had some ability. I got involved in as if you started a whole new career in a coaching the junior players at Sussex and completely different industry. Seeing the right or wrong way, with when I finished playing in 2006 it became players improve and perform well and circumstances often dictating a natural progression. The Academy has knowing you have helped them get there moved to Spain as of last year and Sussex is another big plus. It is a purely intrinsic how and when it happens. now uses this as a mid-winter training reward, as is the motivation to do the job. camp. ark Davis and Kevin KS: It wasn’t much of a decision; it was Sharp are two coaches of KS: I fell into it by accident. When I something I took on out of necessity. I had note on the county circuit was released by Yorkshire in 1992 at the a young family. What I did find was that it who have successfully age of 32, I had been a pro for 16 years was a challenge and it held my attention. made the transition, and and needed to do something. I went on It felt natural to me and fed my desire to Mhave different experiences of life in the the Level 3 coaching course at Lilleshall nurture young talent. professional game. and met Gordon Lord. Gordon had been Ultimately, it is just as ruthless as it is working for Wrekin Council which had being a player, and it’s easy to ask: when been running what effectively was the first is the next re-structure coming, who are development programme in the country the young guns coming up behind me and and was looking for someone to take where are all the jobs? over. From there, the coaching journey The answer to the latter question is has taken me to /Bradford University, that there are only around 50 full-time back to Yorkshire and now I am down at coaching roles in professional cricket Worcestershire. In between, I have been across the country. If half the players a school coach, business director and leaving the game each year aspire to coach community coach. at a first-class county, what is it about the select few who do make the step up that sets them apart from their peers? 2. What did you do in terms of Mark Davis’ conversations with England coach have ‘helped instil the As always, it’s crucial to start to personal development while confidence needed’ to succeed in the job develop yourself early and find something you were playing? that will set you apart from everyone else. This is what Mark and Kevin have done – MD: Solely coaching and developing my 4. Did you ever talk to people and is why they are so successful. own philosophy. about the decision to move into coaching? KS: I played during the days of six-month contracts, so when I didn’t go overseas to MD: I had the option of playing another play I worked in all sorts of different jobs year, but the time felt right and the from debt collection to working in a wire opportunity was there. I have a passion for factory. It taught me a lot about life, but the game and conversations with Pete Moores there was no culture in cricket of personal inspired me and instilled the confidence I development during those days. needed to do the job.

46 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Back in his playing days in 1985, Kevin Sharp batting for Yorkshire

KS: Gordon Lord was the person who playing, the job security is not what you would ultimately got me into coaching, but there get in a nine to five job. Along with this comes were no real conversations I had with people the lack of structure in working hours and the where I discussed whether coaching was time you spend away from home. going to be the right career for me. KS: Changes in personnel is always a challenge. Whether you have to make the 5. What do you think are the decisions about moving people on from their benefits of a career in coaching? jobs or whether other people move you on, the effect on the individual is always difficult. I MD: You are involved with a team of people had been coaching at Yorkshire for eight years who share a common goal. They all have a before the board decided on a restructure love of the game. For me, I love seeing people and I was moved on. It left me without the develop. It is a very giving job and, as such, it structure I needed and an income, but it is a calling for people rather than just deciding allowed me to do different things. that you are going to be a coach. You have to be aware that the recognition comes from seeing 7. What have you done to develop people you have helped achieve their own goals. yourself while working as a coach? coaching, which is inevitable at some point, then I am already in a place to do that. KS: It is the next best thing to scoring a MD: I am qualified up to Level 4 and have hundred or taking five wickets. Working with done all the cricket-specific CPD courses. Again it was another conversation I players and watching them get there is a real KS: I am in the process of finishing an had with Gordon Lord, who I saw when I left thrill and knowing you have helped them is a International Sports Management MBA from Yorkshire. He mentioned NLP to me and it real buzz. I worked with Joe Root and Jonny Loughborough University. seemed like a good opportunity to explore Bairstow and seeing how their careers have something new to expand what I had to offer flourished is what coaching is all about. KS: I have done my Level 4 and all the as a coach. CPD workshops that go along with that 6. What do you think are the and on top of that I am a Neuro Linguistic 10. What would be your advice pitfalls of a career in coaching? Programming Master Practitioner. This has been the most powerful influence on my to players wanting to move into coaching style. When I left Yorkshire I also professional coaching? MD: One of the biggest things is that there are limited jobs available so unless you are started a company called Inspire & Excel of lucky enough to make the transition into a which I am now a silent partner. It allowed MD: Being a Head Coach/Director of job at your own county club, there will be me to use my non-cricketing skills and Cricket is very time consuming, but as an an element of upheaval not just for you, but motivated me to help people. assistant coach it has worked out better. also for your family. Coaches always have a Sussex have been very kind in allowing me the shelf-life, so while you can have a career that 8. Why? time off to attend seminars, but I have also last longer than your playing career, there will had to find time in the evening, working to 1am to get everything done. My main advice always be an element of needing to keep one MD: My brother had done a Masters degree eye on what is coming next and similarly to is to be prepared to put time into developing and recommended it. It felt like a really good yourself. Be prepared to work late, commit to opportunity to develop myself and set myself what you want to achieve and although there apart from my peers. On top of giving me an is an element of financial investment, you edge over other coaches competing for jobs, it should also see it as an investment in yourself. also opens up the option of pursuing non- coaching jobs. KS: Learn to be a good listener, ask questions, build relationships and trust KS: Other than doing things out of need, with players. it is important to make sure that once you have committed yourself to any given career, you give yourself the best opportunity to 11. Where do you go from here? succeed and by exploring things that excite and motivate you within that field, you are MD: The next move is uncertain, but constantly growing with your industry. having the qualifications I do will allow me to look beyond coaching jobs into realms of 9. What made you chose management. Having the options is exciting. this route? KS: I am looking forward to making MD: Now seemed a perfect time. It was an impact at Worcestershire. I am looking Mark Davis coach simply that there are more options available forward to working with and developing a at sussex CCC to me this way. If I want to move away from very talented group of young players.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 47 career focus

The ECB have a any first-class cricketers the game in an effective way. find they miss the day-to- “There are obviously opportunities pathway in place to day contact with the county for the recreational too, and help those wishing Mcircuit but by pursuing a the pathway in place gives them access career in umpiring, a host of familiar to courses that lead to qualifications. to become an former players avoid having to But the professional players often umpire. We talk to encounter that problem. have downtime, sometimes during the The very top bracket of players can, season, sometimes during a winter the man who knows of course, slot straight into a media when they are not playing, for them to best about how role, while others developed into top- qualify.” drawer coaches. Umpiring is another There is no definitive time frame the system works option for all county pros that can be for going into umpiring, but it’s – and why PCA just as rewarding and lucrative. more common now for players to It’s an occupation that’s certainly start training and courses well before members are such appealed to a number of former they hang up their boots, giving ideal candidates to players currently on the first-class list, them options when that last playing enabling them to stay at the sharp end contract runs out and also giving them stand in the middle. of the game, albeit coming at things an indication of if it will suit. from a different angle. Kelly added: “Martin Saggers did all Chris Kelly, the ECB’s umpires his umpires exams and qualifications More and more players are manager, who has overall while he was still playing, so when he considering responsibility for appointing umpires finished, he was able to virtually go following in the footsteps of in the English domestic games, straight onto the reserve list. However, former England certainly feels that there are many international Peter Steve O’Shaughnessy probably had Willey by pursuing a among the PCA membership who about 10 years out of the game, didn’t career in umpiring; Martin Saggers could give valuable service. settle in what he went into, so he then took the initiative by “We firmly believe that former followed the umpiring route. Mike taking his umpiring exams before he had players stand the best chance of Burns was the same.” finished playing becoming the best umpires,” he Unlike in football, where very few explained. “History shows that it’s the professional players go into refereeing, likes of , cricket umpiring seems well suited to Chris Kelly took over as ECB Umpires and and , among former pros. Not only are they used to Match Operations Manager in 2006, having others, who are top umpires as they the lifestyle on the county circuit, but been ICC Umpires and Referees Manager were top players as well. they can also progress up the ladder between 2002 and 2006. His spell at the “A former player coming into the that much quicker. ICC coincided with the launch of the Elite same arena he was playing in is a no “There is an atmosphere that all Umpires Panel and followed two years brainer. In his first Championship professional cricketers are in the same on the ECB first-class reserve umpires’ game, he is not fazed by it at all club – and never leave. Umpiring list. Prior to that, he was a talented club because he is used to it, meaning he gives you an opportunity to retain cricketer and schoolteacher who took can just focus on the umpiring. There your membership almost,” said Kelly. up umpiring and progressed all the way may be some technical knowledge “In football, the real frustration of through the ranks to the top level. lacking initially, but it won’t stop them former players is that they may have managing the professional players and a phenomenal awareness of the game,

Mike Burns Steve O’ Shaughnessy Billy Taylor some of the many Warwickshire and Somerset Lancashire and Worcestershire Sussex and Hampshire former first class “I started umpiring in 2010, after spending five “I played first class cricket forL ancashire and “I’ve been on the Reserve List now since 2011. It years in the cricket equipment trade following Worcestershire, minor counties for Cumberland is fantastic to stay involved in cricket. I have seen cricketers who have my playing career. 2014 was my third year on the as well as 17 seasons playing and coaching in so much more in the game now as an umpire reserve list. Umpiring highlights so far would Australia. This is my sixth season umpiring for and it has made me love it even more. I enjoyed worked hard to build have to be getting to do my firstLV = County the ECB and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! I can my time as a player but being an umpire really Championship game at last year and highly recommend umpiring for someone who makes me feel complete as a person and I love a second career at firstN atWest T20 Blast this year. Also getting loves the game. Great fun!” umpiring more than I did playing. Highlights square leg... to stand with the legend that is Peter Willey at so far: the first-class game betweenE ssex and Worcester this season!” Leicestershire and the England Women vs India Women Test match.”

48 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk career focus

but they are held back in spending three years at a certain level because everyone has to. “In cricket, if you’re good enough and have performances to support the fact that you’re good enough, then you will be moved up. Admittedly you are more isolated as an official, but it’s well paid and great for players used to the circuit who don’t want to work nine to five behind a desk.” However, players should be aware that there can be a ‘poverty gap’ from the day their playing contract finishes before they get a full-time, full list contract, which takes at least three years. Some can bridge that on the back of a benefit and others in the past have used insurance money from an injury. For others, it’s a case of finding a job they can work around. Kelly already keeps a list sent to him by the PCA of those who have expressed an interest and is keen to hear from others who may want to join it. Those who are, get the opportunity to go on training courses and are asked to join their local Association of Cricket Officials. “We very quickly form an impression of people,” said Kelly. “I wouldn’t hesitate to put someone into Second XI cricket once they satisfy myself and my colleagues that they are serious and have potential. Once they have done second team cricket they are on the road and then their performance will determine how fast they move forward. “As an umpire, it’s enjoyable to be involved in the game and when it goes well, there is a huge feeling of achievement. It’s probably a bit like when you drive away from a game scoring a hundred because you know everything has gone the way you wanted it.” To find out more about becoming an umpire, log on to www.ecb.co.uk/ ecb/ecb-association-of-cricket-officials/ umpires,2868,BP.html

Tim Robinson David Milnes Martin Saggers England and Nottinghamshire England, Glamorgan, Notts and Yorkshire England ‘A’, Notts and Leicestershire England, Durham, Essex and Kent “I retired from first class cricket in 1999 and “I started Umpiring in 2010 after a chat to a “I have been an ECB umpire now for eight “I only started playing Professional Cricket joined the ECB Reserve List of Umpires in 2004. couple of the international umpires whilst years, following my 17 years as a professional at the age of 24 in 1996, but still managed to I was promoted to the full list in 2007 and moved on tour and was added to the first class list cricketer. The greatest thing I can say about my play until I was 37. I retired in 2009 and was onto the ICC International Panel in 2012. I have this season. I love the game and just thought career to date, both as a player and an umpire, lucky enough to represent my country in three now officiated in over 100 first class and one day ‘Wow! What a fantastic career’. I saw it as a is when I get out of bed in the morning I am Test Matches. Whilst playing for Kent, I sat the games plus four ODIs and three International way of developing myself personally whilst still looking forward to doing my job. Don’t get me necessary exams, so that when I had finished T20s. In my first over of my debutODI , I gave the being involved in cricket. I feel a great sense of wrong, it’s not a smooth road everyday but my career, I was ready to move into umpiring. England captain out LBW - only for him to refer personal pride in wanting to get the majority that’s the interesting part.” I have been on the full list of umpires for three it under the DRS. This led to the longest two of my decisions right. Each day is a highlight years and feel privileged to still be involved in minutes of my life waiting for the decision... but for me as it presents new challenges and cricket after my playing days.” thankfully I got it right!” opportunities.”

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 49 career focus

Former Nottinghamshire The 48-year-old moved into the who told me to ‘go away and umpire cricket-bat making industry with Gunn anything and everything, see if you batsman Russell Evans & Moore where he rose to become enjoy it and give me a ring in 12 is a perfect example of their marketing manager. months’ time’. I did, and the second More recently, he has set up his own year I was umpiring, Chris got me how a former player firm along with two other partners some county ‘two’ appointments and can combine an umpiring called B3 cricket, which makes made- things progressed from there with the to-measure bats for junior and club help of my mentor, . career with business cricketers, a service normally reserved “On the reserve list you stand with aspirations. for the professionals. the full list guys and you do learn a lot. Alongside that, Evans has also made I’ve stood with people like , his way onto the ECB’s reserve list and Jeremy Lloyds and . The has ambitions to be promoted onto the whole team are great because they pass full list in the near future, having stood on their knowledge.” in a number of County Championship B3 Cricket was set up just over two and one-day games this summer. years ago and already the company “It is a tough ask at times, makes 2,500 bats a year as well as combining both roles, because I had other cricketing equipment. Its website a very busy June and July with the allows the customer to design every umpiring, so it was quite difficult last detail of their bat from the weight, to keep up with the B3 stuff,” shape, size and profile, to the bat “Chris Kelly said Evans. “But having said handle shape and sticker colours. told me to me go that, I’m in touch daily with Evans added: “I look after all the away and umpire the guys at the factory and accounting side including the wages anything and nearly all the hotels have and also the procurement of pads, everything - and if I Wi-Fi so I can carry on gloves, bags and whatever else, and I’m with emails in the evenings. also involved in the sponsorship side. enjoyED it, to give “I was talking to a very It’s a large role, pretty similar to what I him a ring in good friend of mine, David used to do, but obviously the business 12 months’ Millns, who is on the first- is on a smaller scale at this stage. time” class list and he was telling “It’s hugely satisfying when it’s your me that although it was hard ‘own baby’. Every day when you come work, he really enjoyed it and the to work it’s for you and the business. lifestyle was great. That’s when I took It’s nice to walk into a friendly up my interest. atmosphere and know that everyone is “I had a chat with Chris Kelly, doing their best for the company.”

50 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk financial planning why save for retirement?

As the season draws to a The voice of experience So what can I do? close, it is possible that you Don’t wait for the benefit of hindsight. Again, start early. To give a basic example, In a 2012 survey of American pensioners, if you start saving £150 per month when will have a bit more spare when asked the question ‘what one piece you are 25, at retirement you could end time to deal with all the “life of advice would you give younger people’, up with a fund worth £395,000 (assuming 39% responded ‘save for the future’. annual growth of 7 per cent). But if you admin” that gets put to the When asked what was the most leave it another five years and don’t bottom of the agenda at the important piece of financial advice they start saving until you are 30, your fund would give, 93% said ‘start saving early’ would only be worth £270,000. That is beginning of April. One of and 84% recommended contributing to a difference of more than one-third, and the issues that is relevant for your employer’s pension plan. illustrates the power of compound interest Whilst I hope and expect that some also over time. everyone is putting money responded, ‘live for the day’ or ‘you can’t In addition to your cricket pension, away for the time when you take it with you’, it certainly indicates that which you should all be members of, you given their time again many older people can make additional pension contributions. stop earning, and have to wish they’d been a bit more shrewd in The overall maximum is £40,000 per live off the money you made their younger days so they could spend year (possibly more than this if you didn’t more time in retirement enjoying their make the maximum contribution in the as a member of the working money, rather than wishing they had some. three previous years), but you must earn population. For sportsmen, at least as much as you contribute to a What happens if I don’t pension in a particular year for it to be tax retirement often comes save for retirement? efficient. Whilst the maximum is an annual earlier than for others and In the UK, if you haven’t made any private £40,000, just an extra £150 per month as pension contributions and have no other noted in the example above could make many of you will be in the pots of money such as ISAs or cash savings a big difference. Get some professional best earning years of your to live from in retirement, you will have advice or visit www.moneyadviceservice. to survive on the State Pension. Changes org.uk if you want to explore your options life right now... are afoot with this and so these figures in more detail. will shortly be updated (and will increase And it’s not just pensions – some say the a bit), but today’s basic state pensioner major disadvantage of private pensions Oliver Chew from FF&P receives just £113.10 per week. That’s is that you can’t access the money until Wealth Planning, says it’s £5,881.20 per year. Compare that to your you are at least 55 (increasing to age 57). current salary and think about whether Whilst I would say that’s good because you worth thinking about what it’ll provide the sort of lifestyle you want are supposed to be saving for retirement, of you can do today to provide in your 60s and 70s. course some people have good reasons to Also think about when you’d like to require access to their savings before then. for the future, and why it’s so retire. Most people don’t fancy working So look at ISAs, cash savings, investments important. forever; however much they currently etc. if you would prefer the option of enjoy their job, watching the overseas tour access before you’re in your fifties. Read live every winter, or a couple of months previous articles for more information sailing the Med every summer, are more on these options. Just a bit of extra appealing than being office-bound for saving now will make all the difference 48 weeks of the year. The State Pension towards that retirement of winters in the age for everyone under 40 today is now , or summers in the Med. 67, and if anything that is likely to go up before you get there. Before this, unless

you’re on benefits, you get nothing from Disclaimer: FF&P Wealth Planning is not providing the government. Therefore, if you hoped advice or any type of product recommendation. Saving to retire before age 67, you’ll need to and investing will not be appropriate for everyone, and you should seek specialist advice where necessary. A make your own arrangements before State good starting point might be the independent financial support kicks in. information website: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 51 county Past player associations

near you...

DERBYSHIRE CCC valiant cricketers Contact: Peter Gibbs E [email protected]

DURHAM CCC words: Contact: Shaun Stokoe remembered Andrew Radd T 01207 747885

ESSEX CCC Contact: Jac Randhawa here was an added T 01245 254034 dimension to this year’s E [email protected]

Northamptonshire Former GLAMORGAN CCC Players’ Reunion at Contact: Roger Davies T 07793 754379 Wantage Road in August. E [email protected] T To coincide with the centenary of GLOUCESTERSHIRE CCC Contact: Andy Brassington the outbreak of the First World T 07831 532670 War, the club produced and placed E [email protected] a plaque in memory of the seven HAMPSHIRE CCC Northamptonshire cricketers Contact: Keith Wheatley T 07776 253877 killed in action in the 20th E [email protected] century’s two global conflicts. KENT CCC Contact: Thomas Brown It was unveiled by Vice-chairman T 01227 456886 Ian Peck – himself a former player E [email protected]

– in a ceremony also featuring a LANCASHIRE CCC distinguished past captain and his Contact: Diana Lloyd T 0161 282 4014 most recent successor, Jim Watts E [email protected] and , as well as club chaplain David Chawner. LEICESTERSHIRE CCC Contact: Paul Haywood T 07889 299841 The Northamptonshire ‘old boys’ E [email protected] attending the reunion joined a MIDDLESEX CCC large number of spectators for Contact: Vinny Codrington the short service of dedication E [email protected] before resuming their day of NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CCC reminiscence in the pavilion. Contact: Kate Leach T 01604 609266 M 07920 581422 E [email protected] Senior amongst the nearly 40 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CCC former players to make the 2014 Contact: Helen Palmer event was 87-year-old Peter T 0115 982 3005 E [email protected] Arnold, who first turned up at Northamptonshire from New SOMERSET CCC - SPA Zealand for a trial in 1950 – and Contact: John Harris T 07973 965433 is still there! E [email protected]

SURREY CCC - SOPA The likes of Watts, Laurie Johnson, Contact: Steve Howes Gus Williamson, John Wild, Brian T 0207 582 6660 M 07732 492566 E [email protected] Crump, David Steele, , , Ray Bailey SUSSEX CCC and Mike Kettle shared memories Contact: E [email protected] of the 1950s and 60s with cricketers of a more recent vintage, WARWICKSHIRE CCC - WOCCA Contact: Keith Cook including George Sharp, Peter T 0121 446 4422 M 07773 770 197 Lee, Alan Hodgson, Ian Richards, E [email protected]

Robert Tindall, Mark Gouldstone, WORCESTERSHIRE CCC Tony Penberthy, Neil Stanley, Contact: Rhiannon Malbas Gareth Smith, Rob White, Don’t forget to look out for announcements in the New T 01905 337958 E [email protected] Tim Walton, and Year with the dates for the Past Player Days in 2015. Mark Powell. Each year the number of former players attending goes YORKSHIRE CCC Contact: Janet Bairstow up, and we’d be delighted to see even more new (old) T 0113 203 3651 faces at the events in 2015... E [email protected]

52 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk drive time

When the pca raises money is wheelchair-bound and the association has don’t think you can really imagine what this through its Benevolent fund helped him out in the past by purchasing car means to me, but I can tell you it means and upgrading a specially-adapted computer a tremendous amount. activities, it really does make for his use. “We have two choices when something a difference to people’s Now with money raised from the like this happens. React positively or Big Bike Ride last autumn – more than negatively. I have been able to choose to everyday lives. take former £220,000 was donated in total for the PCA react positively, and with family and friends West indies, Glamorgan and Benevolent Fund and Trust – helping, I’m still going 17 years on. it has been possible for the PCA to acquire “I’d like to say thank you to everyone at northants fast bowler a new mobility car to ensure Davis can the PCA and involved in the Big Bike Ride.” Winston davis for instance... continue to get out and about. Davis was also able to don his Dinner He has used his previous vehicle for 17 Jacket and join the players as a guest of years, meaning that it was rapidly coming to the PCA at the PCA Awards in October. Paralysed from the chest down after a the end of it usable life. To find out how you can support the PCA branch from a tree he was cutting knocked “The PCA has been there to support and Benevolent Fund visit www.thepca.co.uk/ him six feet to the ground, the 55-year-old make life a bit easier for me,” said Davis. “I benevolent_fund.html

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 53

11345_BtB15-back.indd 53 13/10/2014 11:13 online and length

thepca.co.uk website is a great source of information for current and past players, and it is also where you will find the full list of great offers available exclusively to Members...

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The new adidas Originals goggles The ah80 design focuses on minimalistic were inspired by clean, open and frame design, offering an extreme flowing design with retro elements, field of vision. The rider-inspired which combine extremely high-tech retro design gets combined with components for ultimate functionality. a clearly branded strap, and The ah80 uses the proven adidas functionality needed for a day in ClimaCoolTM ventilation system. Air the mountains. vents create low pressure zones just outside the goggle, which removes moist Get ready for the slopes with air away from behind the lens and face the adidas Originals eyewear to eliminate fogging. winter sun package! Order by 31th March 2015 and receive 50% off the recommended retail price.

54 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk latest Members offers

Ski Solutions, Britain’s Whether you are looking 5% off your original and largest for a chalet for the family, specialist ski travel agency a romantic short break next ski trip and tailor-made tour for two or a group holiday operator with over 27 years’ with fantastic après ski, we experience is offering PCA can tailor-make a package members 5% off a Ski specifically for you. You Solutions holiday. can now search all of these properties online at the click We specialise in flexible, of a button with our brand tailor-made ski holidays new mobile site. across the Alps, Canada and USA. What truly For further information visit sets us apart is our www.skisolutions.com or unparalleled service and call our ski experts on expert knowledge of the 0207 471 7700. mountains. All of the Ski Solutions team have first- *Book before 30 April 2015 and spend over £500 per person to receive this hand, in-depth knowledge of offer. Not combinable with any other the mountains and resorts offer. Quote PCA to your Account we sell ensuring we find you Manager at the time of booking. New bookings only. Not applicable with Ski the ski holiday you desire. Total or Inghams holiday.

We use our first-class relationships *Terms & Conditions apply. Offers are only with top insurers to treat sportspeople available until 30 April as a ‘standard risk’, so you aren’t 2015 and where an hindered by the additional costs levied insurer has confirmed that they are willing by other providers. to offer a car or home Don’t just take our word for it, here is insurance quotation and ProSport has special insurance deals for what had to say - for Free Legal Expenses PCA members with FREE legal cover* and home insurance “I have been consistently bowled and home emergency cover included* on cover. ProSport is over by the quality of service and a trading style of all new Car and Home policies. Brightside Insurance competitive quotes I have received in Cricketers also get a preferential rate of Services Ltd who are my four years with ProSport. What authorised and regulated 60% off Income Protection and Career more could you ask from a specialist by the Financial Ending Cover Insurance plans. Conduct Authority (Firm insurance broker for sports people.” ProSport is one of the UK’s leading reference No. 302216). Registered in England providers of sports insurance, & Wales No. 04137311. offering different options to meet the To discuss your options and Registered Office: get a quote, simply call Brightside Park, Severn unique requirements of players at all Bridge, Aust, Bristol levels, from professionals to semi- 0845 2178634 or 07773 364294 BS35 4BL., professionals and amateurs. www.prosportinsurance.co.uk VAT No. 851 1469 32.

Bean bag to memory foam bed in under 30 seconds! Offer: PCA Members can take advantage of an blend of memory foam moulds to the body and Bean exclusive 20% off offer for Bean2Bed - a unique, distributes the weight evenly, thus significantly Bed Comfortably the world’s cleverest bean bag award-winning memory foam bean bag that swiftly reducing the number of these pressure points. transforms into a fantastically comfortable guest bed. These innovative storage solutions come in a Athletes: Bean2Bed products have been used by range of sizes from Junior - with a kids mattress top coaches, athletes and sports professionals inside - to the Sofa which contains two full size king as part of a training structure for prehab, as mattresses. Each Bean2Bed is available in over 30 well as rest and recovery following training or different designs, including 5 materials. Bespoke competition. They were the Official Supplier to the material or custom printing options are available. Jamaican and USA 2012 Olympic Training Camps, and have fitted out numerous other sporting Science: In an upright seating postion, there are clubs and events, including London Wasps RFC’s a number of pressure points that build up along training facilities. Testimonials on Twitter. the body. This can lead to poor circulation, fatigue and even increase the risk of injury due to the For information or to see demonstration videos stress placed on the lumbar region and the coccyx check out www.Bean2Bed.com or call the team carrying most of the weight. Bean2Bed’s unique on 0121 616 5178.

thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 55 FTI MVP Rankings - Past Player Days how did you fare in 2014? Check the full rank-

dressing room ast Player days ings for yourself and your team-mates. notices The popular PCA P England - www.thepca.co.uk/england-mvp will return in the summer 2015 - County - www.thepca.co.uk/county-mvp look out for announcements for the two days in the new year. Contact Ali for more information.

Ali Prosser: 07769 880888 Got a story to tell? Take on the PCA Masters [email protected] Any funny tales from the dressing room? The PCA PCA Masters Can you help us bring the are looking to commission to your club or school? a compilation of stories for a book. Proceeds go to the We’re looking forPCA members involved with a local club or working at PCA Benevolent Fund. a school with a big interest in cricket to Give Jason Ratcliffe a get in touch. call - 07768 558 050 Whether your club is looking to raise funds for a special initiative like building a new pavilion, or your school has a significant anniversary PCA coming up, a match against the Masters could be the perfect publicity opportunity and is always a memorable day for all involved.

Go to www.thepca.co.uk/5877 to

find out more or email Help your own charity [email protected] Raise money and awareness for the PCA BenevolentF und and support players past and present in times of need. A PC iator Call Jason Ratcliffe on 07768 558 050 egot N Jason Ratcliffe has assisted over 220 players to negotiate their contracts in the last three years - from making a simple phone call through to full negotiation.

Call Jason for details on 07768 558 050.

adidas Eyewear has teamed up with the PCA to offer all members an exclusive 50% off RRP. To find out more, contact Karen Hudswell on [email protected] or 020 8987 2448

56 BtB issue fifteen / thepca.co.uk Budding Journos Jason Ratcliffe ihuidfvdhuivhvhduivhd Fancy having your work Assistant Chief Executive ifvudifuvviduzbv published? Mobile: 07768 558 050 The PCA is looking for Email: [email protected] contributors to their website now - call Jason Ratcliffe to find out more on 07768 558 050.

Angus Porter Chief Executive Mobile: 07584 262 083 Email: [email protected]

New shoes?! Situations Vacant Don’t forget the 40% discount all PCA For the latest job Members receive at New Balance... PCA tor opportunities, visit www.thepca.co.uk/footwear.html otia www.thepca.co.uk/ eg _ N job opportunities Jason Ratcliffe has assisted over 220 players to negotiate their contracts in the last three years - from making a simple phone call through to full negotiation.

Call Jason for details on 07768 558 050.

Keep in touch

Find players past and present and stay in contact with the PCA by searching for our facebook page. Follow us on Twitter: thepca.co.uk / BtB issue fifteen 57 @PCA How did you finish playing? I came down to Gloucestershire for a two-week trial in 1973 as a young wicketkeeper - and I’ve been here ever since. I had 16 great years on the staff, but I eventually lost my place to a lad called Jack Russell, who turned out to be not half bad! I was pottering about in the second team and the marketing manager’s position came up, which the then chief executive said would suit me down to the ground. It fitted in perfectly with my benefit year. I was literally in whites one day and my suit the next. What did you do next? I had eight great years in that job at Gloucestershire, but when rugby went professional I was offered a fantastic job at Bristol RFC. It was in my mind at the age of 40 that if I didn’t go for it after 24 years at Gloucestershire, then I would be there for the rest of my life and never try anything else. However, within an hour of starting that job I realised the club was insolvent. We managed to eke it out as a club for 18 months, but in the end I was made redundant. You then set up your own business? Yes. Once I knew what was happening at Bristol, I started the process of setting up Finders Keepers, which is a corporate hospitality company. I was already well accustomed to taking business people to cricket and rugby matches, and enjoyed doing it, so I thought: ‘why not go on my own and do it for other sports as well’? That was in 1998, and now we do all kinds of sports and other things nationally including music concerts, theatre, overseas travel, sporting dinners and after-dinner speakers. It’s an unusual name… how did you

the pca address book settle on it? this issue we land on a ‘B’ When I was setting it up, I helped get a move up to Nottinghamshire because he knew he wouldn’t get many games behind Jack Russell. I told them they would find a keeper for the next 20 years if they signed him. I was thinking about that when I was out jogging and I thought: Brassington, “Finders Keepers, what a great name.” And I was right about Chris, too! Do you ever miss playing? A When people ask a sportsperson what was the best time of their life, they will invariably say when they were playing regularly for their team and in good nick. A love of Gloucestershire I was no different, particularly as I was a bit of a loudmouth in the dressing cricket is deep-rooted in room and kept things bubbling along! I was lucky when I made the transition Andy Brassington, meaning that I was still in the cricket environment, but not everyone is as lucky. he is particularly proud that How are you involved with the PCA? a PCA Past Players’ Day is I help the PCA with the Past Players’ Day at Cheltenham, where we had held annually in the county around 100 former players there this year for a terrific day. My role is to help get sponsorship in, organise the marquee with Gloucestershire, who are always BB he now calls his home. hugely accommodating, and tie things in with the caterers. It’s become a really established part of the calendar now and I know it’s a real highlight for some of the players, some who travel from the other side of the country. I’m a big fan of what the PCA are doing. Not only do they help cricketers out who have not been as fortunate as I have, but they also make sure players realise that their careers can end overnight and that they have to look to their future after cricket while still playing. Best player you ever played with? I remember playing against the likes of , , and who were all fantastic. The South African was probably the best I played with – he was just so competitive, plus he could bowl quickly, or spin if the conditions dictated, bat brilliantly and stand in the slips and catch everything. He could win a game on his own. Seasoned professionals

Thank you for your support this season. We have been proud to be title sponsor of English for the third year of our ten-year sponsorship. We look forward to watching the team build on this summer’s success next year against New Zealand and in the Investec Ashes.

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Investec Bank plc (Reg. no. 489604) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Investec Wealth & Investment Limited (Reg. no. 2122340) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Both are registered at 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP. Investec Asset Management Limited (Reg. no. 2036094) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered at Woolgate Exchange, 25 Basinghall Street, London, EC2V 5HA.

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