Player: James Foster
County: Essex

What made you decide to use the Performance Lifestyle service?

Since graduating from Durham University in 2003 I have been concentrating on my career as a cricketer rather than thinking about building on the qualifications that I have. Although I have some work experience in cricket coaching (having run some wicketkeeping master classes at Essex CCC) I have no other formal work experience or work related qualifications.

Although cricket remains at the forefront of my mind I recognise the importance of developing work related skills away from the game. Having heard about the Performance Lifestyle service at the PCA AGM I thought that my county adviser might be able to point me in the right direction.

How has the service worked?

After contacting Heidi Coleman we agreed to meet at a time and date that fitted around my training and fixtures. We have continued to do this throughout the season. After each meeting Heidi and I agree on an action point list whereby each of us has things to go away and follow up. As well as regular meetings Heidi has maintained regular contact with me by telephone which has helped me to stay focused on the action points that we have agreed!

What has the service enabled you to do?

Heidi has helped me to explore other career interests that I have outside of the game without forcing me to become too focused on one thing. This is really important to me as although I have some ideas for the future I am not yet at a stage where I feel I can commit to any one career plan. She has also helped me to identify what I am definitely not interested in!

Having identified a number of career interests, Heidi has helped me to identify some short courses that I could study alongside my cricket and has also put me in touch with some people in businesses that I am interested in. Although she has challenged me at times, Heidi’s support and guidance has helped me to identify options that I might not otherwise have realised existed.

What are your plans for the winter?

My main plan for the winter alongside spending much of it in Perth is to study a Distance Learning Certificate in Sports Nutrition. In addition to this I am hoping to be able to develop my public speaking skills whilst in Australia alongside the Western Force Rugby Team in Western Australia.