PCA members learn new skills during half century of days in lockdown.
Over 100 PCA playing members have been pursuing their personal development away from the cricket pitch during the first 50 days of Coronavirus-enforced lockdown through enrolling on online courses, including Durham Cricket’s Chris Rushworth and Liam Trevaskis.
Rushworth is currently completing a Level 2 Health & Nutrition Course while Liam Trevaskis is completing a diploma in media studies and personal branding.
Monday marks a half century of days since the current measures were introduced on Monday 23 March. In that time, the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare team have been working hard to ensure that professional cricketers in England and Wales are able to put their time to good use as they stay at home.
In an unprecedented uptake in personal development for this period of the year, learning has involved committing to online courses via platforms such as OpenLearn and Udemy, covering areas including accounting and finance, foreign languages and more.
Outside of that group, there are also players who are continuing their ECB Levels 2 and 3 coaching badges, as well as those who have already started online degree courses.
Rushworth said: “I started about 2 weeks ago now and passed my first unit this morning. I am finding it really interesting and obviously something to keep me occupied and busy.
“I am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would and when I got the email saying I’d passed this unit it was almost like taking a wicket. Very exciting feeling! It is nice to be able to have time to do something useful.”
Liam Trevaskis added: “I found the course via the PCA website and thought why not give it a go. It’s helping me to look down a different avenue to see if I’d enjoy it and possibly lead me to more courses.”
Whilst a handful of players have already finished short courses, the majority will continue to study over a period of weeks or months before completion. In addition to the upsurge in independent study amongst PCA members, over 70 players have attended webinars organised by the players’ association. Topics have included how to set up a business, property investment, franchise businesses as well as various sessions delivered and hosted by LinkedIn.