Players’ priorities discussed ahead of season

Ahead of the 2023 LV= Insurance County Championship season on Thursday 6 April, the PCA has met with each men’s county squad.

The PCA view the pre-season meetings as a vital component in the calendar, allowing the Association to update players on its progress and to gain the thoughts and feelings of those inside the dressing rooms on a number of key areas.

The PCA has been meticulously collecting data from every squad to understand their priorities and their aims for the future ahead of the upcoming negotiations with stakeholders, including the County Partnership Agreement (CPA) and the partnership agreement between the PCA and the ECB.

Many topics were discussed in the sessions as the players were invited to ask questions and hold their players’ union to account. The meetings involved smaller breakout group discussions to ensure everyone’s opinions could be heard, whilst further updates were communicated including EDI education, player data and collective rights.

Support offered at the beginning of careers was a common theme during the sessions across England and Wales. Players discussed ensuring that rookie contracts and minimum wages were appropriately awarded to enable a smooth transition into the professional environment and ensuring professional cricket is an aspirational career.

Cricket’s global landscape has evolved significantly in recent years and across the 2022/23 winter, English qualified players who have earned at least one overseas contract in a professional tournament has approached almost 100 individuals. Freedom of movement was therefore another topic that became a common theme across the meetings with the increase in opportunities to play abroad during the winter months.

Players voiced their opinions on end of career support, highlighting the need for protection when they leave the game through various provisions that were implemented from the introduction of the 2020-24 CPA. The growing need for assistance through the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme was also noted.

Meetings at each of the eight women’s regions are also ongoing ahead of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opening fixtures on Saturday 22 April.

The pre-season meetings form an essential part of the PCA’s winter preparations, which also involved the AGM in February, where James Harris was ratified for a second term as Chair and the Association welcomed new faces to the Players’ Committee.

PCA Chief Executive, Rob Lynch, said: “These were the most important pre-season meetings in a number of years as we look ahead to upcoming negotiations.

“These meetings have evolved to encourage discussion from every player, ensuring we create an environment where all members are comfortable in sharing their views.

“There were some very constructive conversations surrounding the current CPA and where things could be improved for the next agreement, which is due to begin in 2025. Supporting players transitioning into and out of the game is still viewed as a major priority by our members and it is clear more needs to be done to maintain and improve standards for our current players.

“It’s been great to see the level of engagement that the players have given us and we will have visited every county and region within the coming weeks.”

PCA Essex rep, Sam Cook, said: “Having the pre-season meetings is hugely important because to whole squad get to hear about the topics we were discussing at the AGM.

“Chatting to the squad across the board is really constructive because everyone’s opinion matters, it doesn’t matter if you’re a young lad or heading towards retirement everyone gets a say.

“I think the chat we had with the PCA was insightful and great to hear a wider range of opinions that can benefit both parties.”

Warwickshire batter, Sam Hain, said: “There are some really big changes in the scope of the game at the moment so it’s good to get an update from the PCA as to where we stand.

“We know the PCA have our best interest at heart and will be fighting our corner in some big upcoming discussions.

“I was lucky enough to spend the winter in Australia, so freedom of movement is important so players can play around the world as the landscape of the game is changing. I’m lucky to call Warwickshire home but it’s important there isn’t restrictions for us guys who want to travel.”

Find out more about how the PCA supports its members through the Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP).