PCA PRESS RELEASE
Professional Cricketers’ Association Chairman Daryl Mitchell is leading by example having gained valuable work experience with Worcestershire’s main sponsors Blackfinch Investments.
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The PCA employs a six-strong team of Personal Development and Welfare Managers who encourage every contracted county player, whether they are a first year rookie or, like Mitchell, a seasoned campaigner, to prepare for life after cricket by having a Personal Development Plan.
Mitchell has done just that by finding time between his busy playing schedule and commitments as PCA Chairman following his election in February to spend half days in the offices of Malvern-based Blackfinch, a leading provider of tax efficient investment solutions.
Mitchell was shown the workings of all Blackfinch’s various departments and found it a beneficial experience and a potential avenue to pursue when he eventually hangs up his spikes.
“The experience with Blackfinch was brilliant. I was so lucky to spend a few afternoons working at Blackfinch and I managed to see all the different sides of a business which is clearly thriving,” Mitchell said.
“I spent a bit of time in internal sales, a bit of time in marketing, a bit of time in external sales, and a bit of time with the investment team as well which was really an insightful experience.
“When you get to my age, you have to look to the future and outside of cricket potentially. Cricket finishes for everyone at a certain point.
“It is a case of testing the water, seeing what I like, seeing what I am good at, and luckily Blackfinch, being the club’s major sponsors, were able to accommodate me and looked after me fantastically well. I am really thankful to them.
“If all goes to plan, I hope to continue playing for a few years left but your career can end anytime.
“We saw that with Alex Gidman at Worcestershire not too long ago who suffered a finger injury in practice and his career was over. It is really important to plan for the future.
“The PCA do a magnificent job with the Personal Development and Welfare Managers. Lynsey Williams here does a great job with all the guys putting in place personal development plans and we are trying to plan for the future whilst still focusing on your cricket.
“Opportunities like the one I had with Blackfinch can only be beneficial.”
Mitchell’s stint with Blackfinch strengthened the links between Worcestershire and the company who became the county’s official shirt sponsor across all formats this year.
“Daryl spent sent time with all our departments, from sales, marketing, the investment management team, the operations sides of things,” said Blackfinch Investments Chief Executive Richard Cook.
“He went out and about with our distribution director in the field. Hopefully it was good for him to see something outside of cricket as he makes that eventual transition into something else.
“It went well and was also nice for some of the cricket fans in the office to meet Daryl who has had a fantastic career and fantastic 2017.
“He worked with us over a period of six afternoons after cricket training and hopefully he has found that useful.”
To find out more about the Personal Development and Welfare Programme click here or email Head of Development and Welfare ithomas@thepca.co.uk.
