Dave Barrick has improved his game with the help of Performance Lifestyle
Ever felt that things were going downhill fast? Runs and wickets hard to come by and the harder you work the worse it seems to get? Most players in this situation would probably look at their technique and pore over hours of video tape looking for some answers. Quite often though the answer could be simpler than you think, as Phil Dicks, Performance Lifestyle Adviser at Durham, found out.
Dave Barrick came to me for a chat in the middle of July and was clearly unhappy. Undoubtedly talented he just couldn’t get his game together. After chatting for a while it turned out that a major issue was his summer accommodation, arranged by the club, as he wasn’t from the immediate area. He was sharing with a number of young Academy players and itinerant triallists. Privacy was at a premium and inconsistent sleep and eating patterns were doing nothing for his cricketing preparation. As an older player, Dave felt he needed more personal space and an environment in which he could develop some routine.
I was keen to help Dave but even keener that he should help himself. Taking charge of matters and getting things right off the field has a funny way of working itself onto the field further down the line. As a result, with the support from the club and after a brief search, Dave sourced alternative accommodation more in line with his aspirations. His form improved dramatically with an eighty and two back-to-back hundreds and, at the end of the year, a one year extension to his contract.
Coincidence? Dave thinks not. “Being happy off the field is a big step towards being successful on it. I didn’t realise how much the house thing was getting me down until I had a chat with Phil. Facing up to things and turning it around myself did wonders for my self-esteem and I can now prepare in a way that is perfectly suited to me.” Result all round!
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