Four Glamorgan players were among the record 52 cricketers that were inducted into the professional game at the PCA’s 10th annual Rookie Camp event on Tuesday.
Some of England and Wales’ finest young cricketers attended the day that highlighted the benefits of being a young professional.
Dan Douthwaite, Roman Walker, Prem Sisodiya and Jamie McIlroy were at Edgbaston, alongside their counterparts from across the county circuit.
Rookie Camp saw more players in attendance than ever before, surpassing the previous record total of 37 set last year, and the PCA has now helped over 300 players through their entry into professional cricket through the initiative, with 17 going on to represent England at international level.
The group, which included two players from the England Women’s Academy, attended workshops aimed at helping them to get to grips with the reality of life as a professional cricketer, including what the County Partnership Agreement, agreed last June, will mean to them.
England opening batsman and attendee of the inaugural Rookie Camp in 2011 Rory Burns said:
“Rookie Camp is a really positive event and it takes me back to when I attended the first ever one back in 2011. It’s been great to give the rookies some insight on my career so far and how I’ve got to where I am today.
"It's massively important for players to understand what the PCA has to offer, particularly for the younger lads and for the older ones as well."
The PCA’s Director of Development and Welfare Ian Thomas said:
“It’s been absolutely fantastic to see a record number of young cricketers here at our 10th Rookie Camp, and once again we are greatly appreciative of the support from the Professional Players Federation and the Tom Maynard Trust, who we have partnered with for eight years now.
“More important than the figures, though, is the information that this group of players has picked up from the likes of Rory Burns, Saqib Mahmood and Paul Farbrace today, as well as the key learnings which they will take home with them.
“There has never been a better time to be a young cricketer in England and Wales than right now, and I hope we have made that clear to the 52 players present, whilst also educating them on the potential pitfalls involved with a career in professional sport.”
Benefits of the County Partnership Agreement, which was negotiated between the PCA, ECB and all 18 first-class counties over an 18-month period, include an increased salary collar for young players, a binding minimum wage for all full-time professionals, the introduction of staged contracts for 18-21 year olds and increased accountability to the PCA from all counties regarding youth contracts in particular.
The new guidelines mean 2020 will be a game-changing year for youngsters in England and Wales, and there has never been a more rewarding time to get into professional cricket.
As in previous years, players attended a number of informative workshops with guest speakers including England stars Rory Burns and Saqib Mahmood, as well as Warwickshire sporting director Paul Farbrace.
Rookie Camp forms part of the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme, which aims to improve players’ performance on the pitch by minimising distractions off it, as well as helping them to better prepare for life after cricket.
The event, which was supported by the Professional Players Federation (PPF) as well as the Tom Maynard Trust for an eighth year in succession, brings together players who have recently signed their first contracts from across the 18 first-class counties and the women’s game.