PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF FOR TRIPATHI Persistence has paid off for former Northamptonshire batsman Vishal Tripathi who is about to start a five year medicine degree at Keele University. It is six years since Tripathi, 28, was released by Northamptonshire and four since he gave up his dream of a career as a professional cricketer after a spell on trial with Worcestershire and playing List A cricket for the Unicorns. Tripathi decided that he wanted to study for a degree in medicine but was ill-equipped to do so. He had already graduated in broadcast journalism from Sunderland University and, with no background in science, was predictably turned down when he first applied for a place at medical school. But Tripathi demonstrated the same dogged determination he had shown as a cricketer and spent three years gaining valuable work experience in the health sector by volunteering in a hospice, working as an assistant in a care home in his native Burnley and in the neuro physiology unit at South Manchester University. It proved to be third time lucky for Tripathi when he was accepted for a place at Keele’s Medical School last year and last week he passed his foundation year with flying colours which will enable him to start his five year medicine degree. ” It’s a dream come true. It has been such a personal journey for me and it is going to carry on being a personal journey,” Tripathi said. ” I’m on a six year programme but the first year is like Year Zero. It’s a probationary year although you are still treated as a medical student but you have to do more assessments because your lack of a science background. ” I’ve come from a sporting background and an arts graduate degree so, to do medicine, you have to show that you understand the basic fundamentals of human biology, chemistry etc. It has been like learning a new language.” Studying as a mature student is expensive but Tripathi has been helped by the PCA who will part-fund his course fees while he is studying at Keele. ” I got an email out of the blue from Matt Wood, one of the PCA Personal Development and Welfare Managers, saying that the PCA would part-fund my fees which was an unbelievable offer,” Tripathi said. ” It’s costing a lot of money with tuition fees I am having to fund myself, with a bit of assistance from the government, because I already have a first degree. ” Having the PCA funding is such a weight off my mum’s shoulders. My mum is a single parent as well and it has been tough.” As well as the funding Tripathi can also call on Wood, the former Yorkshire and Glamorgan batsman, for help and support when needed. ” I am so grateful to the PCA not just for the funding but also the advice I get off Matt. I can ring him whenever I want. I think will be having that communication for a long time because medicine is such an intense field. It’s similar to cricket in that you need to find time to switch off because you do get stressed,” he said. Tripathi may have taken a circuitous route into medicine but the three years he spent training in the health sector proved invaluable experience. ” I find medicine requires quite similar attributes to cricket – competition, the idea of bettering yourself, it’s an endless journey, life-long learning and the satisfaction helping someone probably means more to me than going out and scoring 100,” Tripathi said. ” I get a buzz out of talking to people, tending to people, whether it’s just getting them a cup of tea. I really enjoy that and inter-acting with folk. ” Things seem to be falling into place a little bit. Of course I was heartbroken when I didn’t get my contract renewed and I tried to chase the dream of still being a professional cricketer. The amount of miles I covered trialling around, sending grovelling emails. ” Maybe if I had another two or three years in cricket wouldn’t be in the position I am now. Of course when I see my mates playing on TV now I wish I was there. But then I look back and say look: at me now. ” Now, if someone asks me whether they should go to university or have a gap year and play cricket I will always say: get yourself to university. ” You can still play cricket at the same time. You are investing yourself and there is no better feeling knowing that when you have graduated that you will have something to fall back on and that can help you to go out and play more freely.” Full details about PCA Development Funding can be found here: https://www.thepca.co.uk/development_funding.html {{ak_sharing}}
