Preparing Our Players For A Life In Cricket

The ACA’s New Player Induction Camp prepares newly contracted players for life as a professional cricketer.

Across two days and an opening night welcome dinner, 31 newly contracted players heard from guest speakers on important topics that will help them adjust and enjoy the start of their professional careers. It also provided players an opportunity to connect with other players and the team at the ACA, who they will no doubt cross paths with again throughout their careers.

The welcome dinner was hosted by Bobby Quiney and featured a panel with New South Wales’ Sammy-Jo Johnson, ACA CEO Todd Greenberg and General Manager of Cricket Operations and Member Services, Brendan Drew. Also sharing their insights on the night were Victorian Men’s Head Coach Chris Rogers, Current Australian Men’s Selector Tony Dodemaide, and Victorian Women’s player Sophie Reid.

During the following two days, Australian Men’s and Women’s coaches Andrew McDonald and Shelley Nitschke shared their insights, a few stories and the odd laugh on the expectations of an Australian Cricketer, before a panel comprising Amy Smith, Kate Peterson, Matt Fotia and Xavier Crone spoke about life as a professional cricketer.

Some of the key areas that were covered across the two days included self-awareness and self-concept; mental health literacy; media training; a presentation from Cricket Australia on integrity; resilience; financial literacy; and to finish, a theatre sports presentation from THiNK ABOUT iT.

Shivani Mehta, a newly contracted player with the ACT Meteors, said her biggest takeaway was that it was okay to ask for help. “Being honest with yourself when you’re not okay will help you when challenges do arise,” she said. “Once you accept that it can allow you to move on and overcome those obstacles.”

Tasmania’s Kieran Elliott had a similar takeaway from the camp, saying that managing mental wellness and ensuring a balanced life away from the game were important. “It was also great to hear from Andrew McDonald and his experiences with his coaches in his past, as well as his learnings as a coach.”

The Camp was held from 22 through to 24 July in Melbourne.