Junior pros - planning ahead

As the season of 2008 drew to a close, the Performance Lifestyle Advisers were out and about working with the players and assisting them with their plans for the winter.

Work placement, paid employment, networking, university and travelling abroad are just a few options many players will be taking now the last ball has been bowled in the county cricket season.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby © Getty Images

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Two players have spent the past 12 months concentrating their efforts into their cricket and are now keen to develop their options away from the pitch. Yorkshire’s junior pros Oliver Hannon-Dalby and James Finch have sourced some assistance from their Performance Lifestyle Adviser Liz Gould during the season; and both Oliver and James have very different plans for their winter months.

"I was undecided about my future outside of cricket and I had now idea what to do. I wanted to gain some security now for my future and was concerned that I may never do something if I just keep putting things off," said Oliver, who approached Liz when he saw her at the ground after training and made a time to discuss in more depth what his options could be.

After a chat with Liz, Oliver decided that returning to education and enrolling in a Secondary Physical Education degree was what he really wanted to do: "Liz was very helpful in highlighting my skills and personal strengths and finding a suitable career path.

"She gave me guidance that will help my development over the next few years which will assist in my career options for the winter months and even when I finish my playing career. Liz has helped me with my university application and has even helped me prepare for the group interview."

Liz Gould

James has a slightly different career path away from the cricket pitch. He spoke with Liz about his options and was certain that university was not something he wanted to do at this stage.

"We discussed what I was planning to do for the winter months and Liz suggested it might be worth me thinking about how I can use my winter to gain experience in the workplace and get an understanding for some career paths I may like to take after cricket," he said.

"Liz explored my personal skills, education, motivation and job satisfiers. I was surprised at all the qualities I can offer to a job even without qualifications."

James’ interests this winter will be focussed on gaining some work experience with the Yorkshire Fire Service, alongside casual coaching commitments and his ongoing fitness training.

"I think it’s important for players to realise that there are non-university options as well. I’m looking forward to the winter and the opportunities I will have for cricket and for my life off the pitch."

Oliver added: "I certainly want to ensure I have some stability in my life after cricket and the winter months give me a good opportunity to do that."

Both he and James are creating solid foundations for themselves which they can build on over the coming years of their cricket career. These are two young pros that are certainly doing a good job in planning for their future.