PCA PRESS RELEASE
Blenheim Palace recently hosted 16 current and former professional cricketers and rugby players for a one-day workshop on how to be an entrepreneur.
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The joint initiative between the PCA and the RPA was delivered by Gary Frank and his team from Fab Accelerator. Frank is the original founder of The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys, a muffin, flapjack and cake business that he built from a standing start to a turnover of £17m employing over 120 staff.
After selling the firm, he co-founded Fab Accelerator in 2016 which offers expert advice and practical experience to those setting up on their own.
"We knew professional cricketers have the work ethic and focus necessary to become successful entrepreneurs. But they showed beyond any doubt that they have the ability as well.”
GARY FRANK
The day was all about highlighting the skills and qualities needed to be a successful entrepreneur through presentations delivered by Frank and his team of mentors. What was encouraging for the players was that needing business acumen was not top of this list.
According to the Fab team, many of the key skills were similar to those required for top level sport such as perseverance, determination, hard work, and creativity.
For former Kent player, Adam Ball, the day helped him recognise his own potential.
“The way they got us thinking was very interesting and opened my eyes up to how creative I actually can be when I put my mind to it,” Said Ball.
For Warwickshire’s Olly Hannon-Dalby, the experience of tackling the exercises alongside current professionals from another sport was as useful as the content itself.
“I have already recommended it to the lads at Edgbaston should another event be organised. I also really enjoyed sharing the day and ideas with the rugby lads. It was great to hear some of the worries we have aren’t restricted to cricket,” said the Warwickshire bowler.
Charlie Mulraine, PCA Personal Development Manager, who initiated the day with the RPA’s Head of Personal Development, Ben McGregor, was delighted with the success of the event.
“We often highlight the transferable skills professional cricketers possess and therefore having this backed up by experienced entrepreneurs gave the players an extra boost. You could also see how much the cricketers gained from the conversations with the rugby players and hopefully this will be one of many joint initiatives with the RPA.”
CHARLIE MULRAINE
Frank and his team from Fab described the day as “inspiring” which is testament to the way both sets of sportsmen approached the tasks.
“I’m confident that the players we met on the 15th all had the capabilities and skills needed to do their own thing once they’ve retired from the professional game.”
If any players are interested in finding out more about entrepreneurship, contact your regional PDM and for more information about the the Personal Development and Welfare Programme click here.
