Simon Ecclestone Re-Joins PCA as Personal Development Manager for South/South East Role – 22/05/12

Simon Ecclestone Re-Joins PCA as Personal Development Manager for South/South East Role – 22/05/12 The PCA is delighted that after a long absence, Simon Ecclestone, has rejoined the PCA in the role of Personal Development Manager (PDM), working with Middlesex CCC, Kent CCC, Essex CCC and MCC YC’s on the Personal Development & Welfare Programme (PDWP) Having grown up in Essex and attended Durham and Oxford University, Simon joined Somerset CCC as a hard-hitting, batting all rounder. In 1997, Simon was awarded his county cap, having been made vice-captain and the unusual record of having scored a century in each of the four first-class competitions. Simon was offered the captaincy in 1998, but was forced to retire from professional cricket half way through that season due to a recurring knee injury. After his retirement, Simon was employed by the PCA, initially as Communications Manager. He was responsible for co-ordinating player services, such as insurance, pension, legal and accountancy provision; developing bespoke courses for the PCA members such as ICT, Media, Journalism and Public Speaking courses. As the PCA expanded rapidly, so did the role and Simon became a Director in 1999 with a broader remit covering the wider issues of player representation and the commercial interests of the PCA. In 2000, Simon was charged with pursuing the growing internet opportunities, securing a substantial investment and developing the first PCA website, cricnet.com. Since 2002, Simon has run his own business, So Sport Ltd, designing and supplying sports themed leather goods to retail outlets such as John Lewis and The Conran Shop, as well as corporate gifts to companies such as Vodafone and private sales through the internet. In January 2004, Simon had a change of career and began working as a teacher for The Skinners’ School in Tunbridge Wells, a boy’s grammar school, teaching English, Philosophy and Ethics and Sport. As well as teaching the above subjects to GCSE and A level, Simon coached both the 1st XV rugby and 1st XI cricket to county and national success. On the cricketing front, after taking a few years off cricket to rehabilitate his knee, Simon returned to play for his home club, Saffron Walden, in the Essex Premier League and was a key member of the National Knockout Winning team of 2002. Having moved to West Kent, he joined Reigate Priory in the Surrey Premier League in 2004, where he won four Premiership titles in six years and made the national T20 club finals in 2009. Simon is now retired from club cricket with an even worse knee but he manages over 400 acres of woodland in his free time to keep fit and has started growing cricket bat willows. The core twin aims of the PDW Programme are: To improve the performance of cricketers through easing and minimising potential distractions during their playing career. To better prepare cricketers for life after cricket Simon commented, ” I’m really excited to re-join the PCA in this capacity. I’m passionate about the work of the PCA in helping players realise their own aims, goals and ambitions. The game has changed a lot since I played or was involved, but many of the challenges remain the same. There is nothing more certain – a player will have to plan for his future in many ways during his career and I hope to bring all of my experience and drive to ensure I help as many players as I can.” He will start full time as of August 1st and begin a series of induction days, including meeting players and coaches from respective clubs prior to this date. Visit the Personal Development & Welfare Programme page on the PCA website for full information about the initiative, or contact Jason Ratcliffe 07768 58050 or Ian Thomas 07920 575578.