Fascinating, compelling, emotional, and a privilege. These are the words I’d use to describe my experience as an athlete adviser for the Performance Lifestyle Programme.

I want to give you an insight into my experiences working with professional players but first I want you to hear the voices of the players I have been fortunate enough to support since the beginning of 2003 as they reflect on their experiences.

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“… It’s been hard work this winter because until now I’ve had it easy, but I’m working in the real world as well now, and I suddenly have to work long hours for less money…I just wish I’d done this when I was 22 / 23 years old… I’d have been working for myself as a plumber alongside my cricket, but now I’m just qualifying…”
Andy Pratt (pictured above) 2005, on his winter employment and career development

“… I see myself at the forefront of my career, I have major ambitions in the game, but it’s a case of not being blinkered, my pro career will come to an end one day…”
Gary Keedy (pictured left) 2005 on his reasoning for planning ahead

“… I know there will be times when I have to work long hours, and I will think back to training days when we were home by midday and wonder what the hell I have done…”
Mark Powell 2004 reflecting on his transition out of the game

“… in these last few months the realisation that the 'real world' beckons has become very real. With all the work I have done with the Performance Lifestyle team I can approach the future within and outside the game with the knowledge that I am as well prepared as I can be...”
Darren Bicknell (pictured right) 2005 on planning for his future

“… It took time to accept I wasn’t going to be a pro any more. People still think I am pro, they ask me now if I am starting back at Durham, its something I have to get out of my head now. Players out there must do something about their future while their still playing… ”
Nicky Phillips 2005 reflecting on his transition out of the game

I have been lucky enough to work with these professionals and ex-professionals over the past two years, and their experiences are so unique and yet so common within the game.

A lot of the time players just talk happily about their options and their futures, and it’s a nice conversation as we look to develop their CV and explore different career options that might fit within their hectic schedules.

However, sometimes it isn’t so easy, sometimes it hurts players that they are leaving the game or are now realising their career is coming to an end, and the uncertainty of leaving a profession they are good at and the prospect of a different life altogether is mostly a daunting one.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve also been lucky to work with some players who know they still have time in the game and are studying or planning for employment while their still playing, and I’m actually fascinated as to whether they actually have a better state of mind because of these plans and whether that helps their game.

But most of all I fear for those who haven’t any plans in place. My personal experiences with professional players have been demanding, tough and frustrating as they go through or are planning for a major transition in their lives.

But as I said earlier, it’s fascinating, compelling, emotional and a privilege. I only hope more players do what is commonly seen as a sign of weakness and sometimes the hardest thing of all, I hope they ask for help.

Lastly, I have to thank Darren for perfectly describing what seems to be a common and dangerous misconception within professional sport.

“…Like most pro's I thought the day I signed as a pro was the day I had sorted out the rest of my life…”
Darren Bicknell