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Former England man moves into coaching with PCA support
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Former England international Sajid Mahmood is set to embark on a coaching career after taking up a position in Ealing.
Mahmood’s first big-step into coaching requires a move to West London as he takes on a full-time position with William Perkin Church of England High School to assist with the integration of underprivileged and underrepresented young people in the London Borough of Ealing.
Moving down south from his home in Bolton at the end of this month, the Lancastrian is excited by the fresh challenge he is set to face as he looks to inspire the next generation.
“The more I’ve been coaching the more I’ve enjoyed it, he said.”
“I’ve grown a passion for it quickly and I’m really looking forward to this next stage of my career now.
“You get a lot of satisfaction when you see young cricketers developing through you having an influence on them.
“Sport can help in so many different ways whether that be with the individuals’ health and fitness or to help them socially to feel involved and meet other people so it’s great to be a part of that process.
“It’s going to be a really great place to work, the facilities at William Perkin are amazing and for those to not be taken advantage of by the people within the Borough of Ealing would be a waste.
“I’m really looking forward to the move. London’s a great place to be and I can’t wait to get started.”
After gaining some coaching experience with local club sides and schools, Mahmood called on the PCA as he looked to plan his next steps in the coaching world.
After some discussion with Matthew Wood, one of the PCA’s Personal Development Managers, the 36-year old decided to complete a level two coaching qualification to access further opportunities in the coaching profession.
“The PCA have been really helpful in this process for me,” said Mahmood.
“I decided to do my level two cricket coaching last year with support from the PCA and hopefully I will be doing my level three this year.
“I speak to the PCA quite a lot now about the personal development side of things. They’ve been great every time I have any questions or anything and they are straight on the phone and talk me through all different kind of options.”
"I didn’t really use the PCA much during my playing career and that is something I regret. The resources the PCA have, players should be tapping into them."
SAJID MAHMOOD
Despite this new opportunity, Mahmood admitted a career after cricket never really occurred to the fast bowler during his time as a professional as he felt his ‘career wasn’t going to end.’
However, when that day did arrive in 2014, he acknowledged his regret for not using the PCA Personal Development and Welfare Programme at an earlier opportunity and urges current players to develop their own portfolio outside of cricket.
“I didn’t really use the PCA much during my playing career and that is something I regret.
“The resources the PCA have, players should be tapping into them.
“Sometimes as a player you think your career isn’t going to end, but I think it’s important that current players now do use the PCA and are accessing everything that is available to them.”
During his playing career, Mahmood featured for England in all formats as well as at county level on over 300 occasions and is currently part of the PCA England Masters squad. Nevertheless, when it was time to call an end to his 13-year career he did find it difficult to find a second career that would fit.
“For a couple of years after I finished playing I didn’t really do anything, apart from spend time with my family” he added.
“When I started looking at normal jobs, I realised I just didn’t fit any of the criteria because I don’t have any qualifications or any experience for any of these jobs.
“This is when I started reflecting, I wish I had done something during my playing days and set myself up better for when I left the game.”
To find out more about the PCA Personal Development and Welfare Programme click here.
