PCA PRESS RELEASE
The Professional Cricketers’ Association held their eighth annual Rookie Camp at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
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The day-long event, hosted by the PCA and supported by the Tom Maynard Trust, brings together first and second year rookies who have signed their first professional cricket contract.
Representatives from 11 counties as well as members of the MCC Young Cricketers and England women’s academy took part in the event which details the support and guidance the PCA offers cricketers throughout and after their professional career.
Several workshops ran throughout the day discussing the potential pitfalls and dilemmas cricketers may face during their careers. The 30 cricketers took part in a variety of workshops including: Anti-corruption, legal support, social media training, gambling addictions and Q&As with former England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom and current Leicestershire captain Michael Carberry.
While the workshops provide an educational tool for the players to develop their knowledge and understanding of certain laws and challenging elements of today’s game, the Q&As gave the opportunity for international cricketers to pass on their experiences and pressures faced during a professional career and how these up-and-coming cricketing stars can deal with similar adverse situations.
PCA Chairman and Worcestershire batsman Daryl Mitchell witnessed the event for the first time and shared his delight in the days activities:
“It’s been really interesting to watch from a PCA perspective and I’m sure the players will leave here having learnt a great deal,” said Mitchell.
“Unfortunately back in my day we didn’t have this and it’s been really interesting to see some of the things the PCA have put on and some of the education for the young players.
“Days like this are massive for the players and although there’s a lot of information for them to take in during this one day it really is needed.”
DARYL MITCHELL
Ian Thomas, Director of Development and Welfare at the PCA, spoke of his delight watching the first year professionals educating themselves on such important matters.
“From the PCA standpoint, it’s really encouraging to see these players come in and understand what the PCA can do to support them. These players are just about to start an extremely important and exciting journey and it’s crucial that we give them the best possible education and support throughout.
“A lot of hard work goes into Rookie Camp and all the different development and educational workshops they go on. I thought the whole day was a huge success for both the PCA and its newest members.”
Also illustrating their support at Edgbaston was ECB CEO, Tom Harrison, who delivered a seminar focusing on the ECB’s role and the responsibilities of all individual professional cricketers.
Along with the relationship between the ECB and the PCA, Harrison discussed how the PCA always puts the players’ needs at the forefront of everything.
“The PCA Rookie Camp has been a vital addition to a young players education programme."
TOM HARRISON
“Rookie Camp allows these players to have an appreciation of how their life will now change and for them to fully make the most of these opportunities then they need to be listening to the wonderful advice the PCA is giving.
“We (The ECB) have an excellent relationship with the PCA and they fulfil a fantastic role in player welfare both whilst playing the game and in terms of post-playing career. I have been a member since 1993 and have always found the PCA to play a vital role in the increasing pressures that are put on today’s players.”
