PCA to deliver social media abuse workshops

The Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) is to deliver groundbreaking game-wide educational workshops to all professional cricketers in England and Wales to address the role that social media plays in mental health.

Lodders became a commercial partner of the PCA last year, and is one of 27 partner businesses joining forces to support and fund the PCA’s latest initiative to support players’ mental health, and which forms part of the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP) – a personalised support service which enables individuals to excel and develop sustainable performance within and outside of cricket.

Player-focused initiative

An important topic in the context of the stresses and pressures of being a professional athlete in the modern era, the player-focused initiative has been developed in response to an upsurge in PCA members reporting instances of online hate. Its seminars will be delivered to all professional squads from August onwards and will highlight the impact on mental health from abuse, overuse and addiction to social media, with the aim of educating players on coping mechanisms and strategies.

Sessions will be exercise-led, encouraging players to openly discuss the pros and cons of social media, and how various platforms affect their mental wellbeing. Each session will incorporate videos from current and former international and domestic players who openly discuss their relationship with social media whilst providing advice for their peers.

A successful pilot workshop was held in May with sessions to be led in person by specialists in this area in the form of PCA Personal Development Manager (PDM) Nick Denning and Head of Education at Sporting Chance Alex Mills, with input from numerous industry experts.

Dangers can come with these platforms

PCA Personal Development Manager Nick Denning says: “Whilst we acknowledge that social media can be hugely positive and powerful when used responsibly, it’s important that the PCA educates its members on the potential pitfalls and dangers that come with these platforms.

“Sporting Chance are leaders in the field of mental health in sport, so expanding our relationship with them into educating members on the impacts of social media on mental health is a progressive step. I look forward to delivering this first-of-its-kind initiative with support from Sporting Chance and PCA partners.”

PCA Commercial Operations Lead Richard Morris said: “The support of our partner businesses is vital in helping to fund the important work that we deliver on behalf of our members. We thank the 27 businesses who have supported this important piece of work and we hope it will have a positive impact on our members’ mental wellbeing.”

Excellent values

Lodders’ managing partner Paul Mourton adds: “As part of the PDWP, the PCA already offers its members comprehensive social media advice and support, and this will be complimented by the new initiative which has a specific focus on the effects of social media on mental health.

“When we became a PCA commercial partner, we made it clear we wanted the partnership to enable the firm to support the PCA’s impressive and important work in providing support to current and past players. This latest initiative certainly means we can achieve this objective.”

He adds: “Across the firm, we enjoy taking an active part in our local communities, whether through our charitable work, or supporting local events, enterprises, and sports teams. Working alongside the PCA is an excellent fit for Lodders and our values.”

Thank you

The PCA would like to thank the following businesses for supporting this initiative: Argentex, Ashurst, Automotive Paint Supplies, Barrington Ayre, Bevan Brittan, Civils and Lintels, Financial Times, Finders Keepers, Goodform, Grant Thornton, Holdsworth Financial, Impulse Decisions, Infinity Works, Kerry London, Lodders, Lucidica, Michael Reed Wealth Management, Mortgage Force, New Balance, Northern Trust, Pearlfinders, Polypipe, Robinson Manufacturing, Robin Stanton-Gleaves, Serious Cricket, Showpiece Design, TMB Events.

•  Find out more about the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme.