jack bannister

the women’s game
girls are still studying back home so
they have to find time to keep up to date
with that. Some people like to relax with
a book or whatever the box set of the
month is. We’re very lucky to go to some
amazing places, so it’s always nice to get
out of the grind of hotel rooms and see
some of the countries we visit as well.’
“When on tour we often take the
opportunity to see some of the country’s
culture and main attractions. Recently
in Cape Town we planned a team trip
to Robben Island after watching Nelson
Mandela: Walk to Freedom together.
Besides that there is an unofficial book
club. Most of us relax in our downtime
with a good book, and very rarely is
it your typical romantic novel. There
are a couple of favourites making their
way around the group at the moment:
Legacy, the All Blacks guide to success
and The Program: Seven Deadly Sins
- My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong by
David Walsh.”
Tammy’s experience has helped her
develop the view that there is a positive
culture within the squad. “There is an
appreciation for personal development.
A career in cricket can be short-lived and
there will always be life after cricket so
it’s important to prepare for it. I think
having only been professional for two
years we can appreciate this even more.”
And finally, what advice do they have
for aspiring young players trying to
decide between education and a career
in cricket? Heather was able to do both.
“I was very lucky that I could study
my degree alongside the beginning
of my England Cricket career, it was
a challenge at times, but it definitely
helped me on the pitch that I had
something to concentrate on outside of
cricket and I’ve always got my degree
in the bank once cricket finishes. I don’t
think there necessarily has to be a
choice between the two. There are many
people that have successfully combined
the two.”
Tammy also believes the two can
work together: “Personally these days I
don’t think that you have to necessarily
choose one or the other. More than half
of us in the England Performance Squad
have been able to balance University and
International tours and England training
either currently or in the last few years.
Even if University is not for you, there
are so many other opportunities now
which are available to develop yourself
while within the game.”
thepca.co.uk / BtB issue 18 69