PCA PRESS RELEASE
Past and present Glamorgan players meet at Baffle Haus to discuss life in cricket and beyond.
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The current Glamorgan Men’s playing squad recently gathered at former teammate Andrew Salter’s Baffle Haus café with a number of former players attending to reconnect and discuss transitioning away from the field.
As part of the Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP), the PCA provides its current members the opportunity to raise their awareness around career options they can consider alongside or beyond their playing careers.
Jointly organised by PCA’s Head of Personal Development and Welfare Programme, Lynsey Williams, host Salter and Glamorgan’s PCA Representative Timm van der Gugten, the event was also joined by former players Kieran Bull, Owen Morgan and Prem Sisodiya.
The main purpose of the gathering was to help educate players around managing their career transition and learn from the stories of players who have already crossed that path in their respective careers.
Salter, along with Bull, Morgan and the recently retired Sisodiya shared stories of how they transitioned away from the professional game and are currently thriving in different fields. For example, Bull, 30, has a master’s degree in surveying. After working as a Quantity Surveyor for a year, the former Glamorgan spin bowler is now the Director at FREDS Timberframe in Swansea after leaving the game in 2020.
"There is still a good group of people at Glamorgan which I am very close to, and it is great to move away from the game with lifelong friends."
ANDREW SALTER
However, that was not the only reason of the evening session at Salter’s new business venture. The event also provided players a chance to reconnect with their club and some of their former teammates.
The community spirit highlighted by the players boded well with the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Awareness Week.
The World Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12 to 18 May this year with a strong link to community. The theme for 2025 puts extra emphasis on the importance of having people around to support mental wellbeing.
Staying connected with your former teammates and club is extremely important, particularly in a transition phase as it can be a challenging time for the players. Having support during the uncertainty over the second innings of one’s career is also extremely crucial for the mental wellbeing, highlighting the importance of community.
Former Glamorgan bowler and co-founder of Baffle Haus, Andrew Salter, said: “Me and my friend Sam (Samuel Daymond) launched Baffle Haus four years ago, at the time when I had just around two years left on my contract.
“In my last season as a cricketer, I had three jobs – being a professional cricketer, a business partner and a freelance graphic designer just to build a portfolio and give myself some options because you never know which ways things go.
“Fortunately, I live in Cardiff and not too far away from the ground. When we have work socials at Baffle Haus, we have been to a few T20s so for me it has been great to connect those two worlds.
“It is always nice to maintain these relationships. There is still a good group of people at Glamorgan which I am very close to, and it is great to move away from the game with lifelong friends.
“For me, getting the balance right was very important. Having a friendship group outside of cricket was crucial so when I transitioned away from the game, I still had a social life and support outside of the cricket bubble. However, to balance that it is also nice to have a connection with the club. I always dreamt of playing for Glamorgan as a kid and to get a cap at the club and win a trophy is something I am very proud of. I am still connected to the club in that way and now I enjoy their success as a supporter and a past player.”
Former South Africa international and current Glamorgan batter, Colin Ingram, said: “Firstly, it was great to see the guys. When the careers end and you step out of the dressing room, you don’t see them very often. So, to reconnect with a few of my former teammates, hear their stories and what they have been up to was great.
“As soon as you reconnect, the old stories start to come out again. Going forward hopefully it is something we can grow and make it normal through the year.
“Everyone finishes their playing careers at some stage so to have people to give you good advice about what is to come and how to prepare for it is valuable. I certainly got a lot from it and I hope other players did as well.”
Former Glamorgan spinner and Director at FREDS Timberframe, Kieran Bull, said: “When playing in a professional sport, you develop a lot of skills which are extremely transferable like leadership and working in a team.
“There are always high-pressure scenarios like dealing with clients’ money and managing stakeholders. But experiencing pressure in a professional sporting environment provides you useful preparation for life after cricket.
“It is always good to build connections and keep them strong. If I can help someone who would go through the same situation that I went through in any way possible then at least I would be giving back to my community.
“I am very appreciative of the PCA during my transition, but it is also nice to hear some real-life experiences from your own teammates.”
Learn more about PCA’s PDWP initiative and find the contact details for all 10 PDMs here.
