Yorkshire Cricketer, Richy Pyrah, Talks to Us About His New Business

The question ‘what will you do after you finish playing?’ is one a professional cricketer can find quite intimidating. Over the past few years, I have given a lot of thought and consideration to what jobs might interest me outside of cricket. During the summer of 2011, my partner and I found out we were expecting twin girls, and all of a sudden the responsibilities of providing for a young family hit me.

In January this year, I launched a company called ‘All Rounder Sport Management’ and intend to build and grow the business alongside my playing career. I have aspirations to continue playing and improving for Yorkshire CCC for many years, and feel I am coming into my best playing form. This is why I think now is a great time to build the business and use all my networking contacts while I am at the top of my game, rather than waiting until I retire. I like the thought of having something to move onto, rather than be stuck at the end of my career.

The company effectively has three sectors. Cricket exchange, which involves recruitment of overseas professionals to UK amateur clubs. We also operate this in reverse, and offer top English amateurs the opportunity to play and develop their skills abroad. The final sector of the business is in cricket events. This side of our business has seen a lot of early success, and this summer we are hosting the Test match dinner at Headingley prior to the England vs. South Africa Test. We also operate events on a smaller scale, and provide local clubs with entertainment, guest speakers and an invitation to XI cricket with ex-professionals.

The business and my young family are keeping me extremely busy, but I feel it has had a positive effect on my cricket. When we arrived back from Barbados on this year’s pre-season tour, I had an unfortunate accident fielding against Kent and suffered a broken hand. I have spent the past six weeks unable to play, but having something else to occupy my mind has helped speed up the healing process. I feel it has helped my mindset and has provided a focus when I might otherwise have been feeling down on my luck. I have used the time wisely and I have spent many hours building the business.

With continued support from the PCA, and working with my Personal Development Manager, Matthew Wood, I am looking forward to improving my skillset over the winter months and intend to study IT, and sales and negotiation skills. I am very much looking forward to this, but for now I am focused on cricket and cannot wait to get on the park.

For more information about Richy’s new business, please visit www.allroundersportsmanagement.com

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