jack bannister

What i did this winter
David Murphy
Northamptonshire CCC
Following some varied work experience
in the winter of 2014/15, at the beginning
of July I decided to pursue a career as a
solicitor and began applying for training
contracts. Following some interviews I was
fortunate enough to get an offer from a
firm called Howes Percival.
This meant the 2015/16 winter has been
one like no other! In January I begun a
part-time Graduate Diploma in Law at
BPP University Waterloo, so next winter
I will be continuing that (if I manage to
pass four exams in August!) It will involve,
from late October, one day a week of four
tutorials in Criminal, Equity and Trusts,
EU, and Land Law. Alongside this I will be
expected to listen to online lectures in each
every week, as well as plenty of reading
and work before the tutorial. At times it’s
been fairly difficult to fit in, but I feel quite
driven to achieve my goals after cricket,
and this has certainly made me more
motivated than during previous studies.
Ollie Rayner
Middlesex CCC
During the winter months, in and amongst
the games of golf, end of season dinners
and winter training, we have had plenty
of down time. For many this is a welcome
break after a long and gruelling season...
It is, however, a good time to make the
most of non-cricket related opportunities
and the PCA encourage cricketers to try
and expand their horizons and think about
life if "God forbid" cricket was no longer
an option.
This winter I've been making the most of
Dave Townsend and the PCA's resources
in looking at potential jobs and financial
security for the afterlife!
Firstly I attended a special ECB Level 2
coaching course for the pros which was
condensed into a week. The course was
a great chance to work with guys from
other counties, including Chris Woakes and
Monty Panesar.
Along with this we had opportunities
to go into the city, and through Dave’s
contacts we managed to line up a day in
four different areas of recruitment. Much
of this seemed to be a lifestyle I could get
used to, but parts were pretty ruthless and
I'm not sure my wife would appreciate the
hours and me rolling in from the 'business'
lunches too much!
Ajmal Shahzad
Sussex CCC
Around a year ago I decided that I wanted
to have another focus/goal whilst still
playing cricket. Accountancy became that
focus and since early 2015 I feel I have
‘successfully' balanced both professional
sporting commitments and studies.
I enrolled onto an Accountancy course
with Kaplan Home Learning. This
progression of courses would allow me to
complete the AAT Accountancy programmes
to Level 4 and the more complex ICAEW
Accountancy examinations which in around
3-5 years will make me a fully qualified
Chartered Accountant.
In November I was asked to speak at
an open evening with accountancy firm
KPMG for potential candidates who are
making the transition from college/school
and looking for options out in the ‘real
world’ once they have finished university.
This was a great eye opener for me and I
shared my experiences within sport and
professional organisations. Through doing
this, I have been able to arrange work
experience and speak to individuals at the
top of their profession and ask them about
their journey.
Throughout my 12 years in sport at
the highest level, I have gained invaluable
experiences within professional organisations
and gathered skills that at first I thought I
did not have. It is these skills that give you
a head-start when forging a pathway for
future careers.
thepca.co.uk / BtB issue 18 33