Vocation, vocation, vocation for players

Jon Batty: one of the players attending

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), the representative body for past, present and future first class cricketers in England and Wales, will launch the latest module of its Personal Development Programme (PDP) on November 27 with a property management course led by Phil Spencer from Channel 4’s successful show Location, Location, Location.

The PDP runs throughout the year and is under pinned by the Performance Lifestyle Programme, a jointly run initiative between the PCA and ECB.

The property management course - taking place in the Writing Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground - will focus on three key areas: mortgages; purchasing both at home and abroad; and investment in buy-to-let properties.

Jason Ratcliffe, PCA director of player services, said: “The programme’s aim is to improve the playing performance of cricketers by easing and minimising potential distractions during their career. It’s also key to helping players better prepare for life after cricket.”

The Performance Lifestyle programme employs six full-time advisers who cover every County academy and all professional playing staff.

Keith Piper, a past player and now Warwickshire 2nd XI coach, commented: “The courses are fantastic for players’ overall development, which is equally as important as the gym and the nets.

"As a coach I want to be pro-active in pushing players to develop in all areas. Research proves it can enhance performance in competition, which is the ultimate aim.”

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Nottinghamshire cricketer Jason Gallian (left) said: “The courses are of real benefit. I hadn’t considered some of them as areas of interest, but going along has opened my eyes to subjects I knew nothing about.

"More than anything, I really enjoyed learning new skills that I know will help me now and in the future”

The current programme includes courses in: selling skills; negotiations and influencing; IT; CV and interview techniques; sports marketing; time management; media and commentary; public speaking; DIY skills; ‘set up in business’; and sports journalism.

All courses are fully funded by the PCA and are open to all past, present and future professional cricketers.

Players attending on the day include:

Jon Batty
Phil Simmons
John Francis
Phil Bainbridge
Gerard Brophy
Chris Taylor
Stephen Moore
Ricky Anderson
Martin Gerrard