Twelve months ago the PCA started research on how members wanted to be communicated with to make sure we keep in touch with you over key issues reflecting cricketers.
Since I had the honour of being appointed Chairman at last year’s AGM it was clear we needed to improve our digital communications directly with members and our research backed this up. We carried out focus group sessions at pre-season meetings, online surveys and even posted out questionnaires to a cross section of former members on how we could improve our communication. This was a key priority for me when I became Chairman last year.
The process has been extremely extensive and thorough and we hope you will be excited by the new PCA website which will soon be complemented by a mobile application for members.
These projects do take time and have to be well thought out. With this in mind we underwent a project last summer to refine our mission statement and our aims going forward as we move on from the previous 50 years and look forward to the next five decades.
While we remember all of the fantastic work by a vast number of people to get the PCA to this point, it is important we keep evolving to represent the players of today.
After conducting in-depth research with a range of past and present cricketers as well as people outside the PCA membership, we have updated our previous mission statement.
The previous statement referred to the “abolition of all restrictions which affect the social and financial position of members” and the fact we are able to remove this line shows how far the Association has come since its founding in 1967.
Our new core purpose is simply - ‘The PCA champions the ongoing interests of professional cricketers in England and Wales’.
DARYL MITCHELL
With this slight adjustment, nothing changes in terms of our application. Our focus has always been on members and going forwards that will only be emphasised with our adapted philosophy of championing cricketers at all times.
With this, it was only right our identity reflects the work we do in championing cricketers. We have incorporated a player into the new logo which is a merge of numerous players playing a positive, front foot cover drive. Men, women, young and old – we are confident the player gives the PCA a fair representation on who we look after and ultimately, champion.
The circle around the player represents the protection the PCA offers while highlighting everything we do revolves around the member. The ball represents the game and finally the new PCA styling signifies strength and authority in the new bold logo.
To compliment the new identity, as mentioned, the PCA has today (February 16 2018) launched a brand new bespoke website. If I’m honest this is an overdue change and one that is very much needed if the PCA is to continue to be relevant to the current and next generation of male and female professional cricketers in this country.
The new private, member only area is tailored specifically for each member. With unique log-ins and information sitting behind every profile, the new site is a vast improvement.
Current players can now view and update their Personal Development Plans straight from their mobile or tablet with their individual MVP ranking for all competitions sitting within their profile as well as the ever important member offers.
All members will receive an email with details of how to access the new PCA app and entry to your individual area of ‘My PCA’ and early next week the new PCA app will be available to download.
If you have any questions regarding the new PCA identity please send me an email dmitchell@thepca.co.uk or if want to find out more information on gaining access to your unique area of ‘My PCA’ contact Membership Services Manager Ali Prosser aprosser@thepca.co.uk.
We look forward to keeping in touch.
Mitch
