PCA Teams Up with NatWest to Provide Financial Education to County Cricket Academies – 27/02/14 The start of 2014 has seen NatWest’s MoneySense financial educational programme integrated into the first-class Counties Academy schedule. This has been delivered in partnership with the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s (PCA) Personal Development and Welfare Programme, and forms part of the PCA’s goal to better educate players to manage personal finance effectively. As part of the PCA Personal Development and Welfare Programme, academies receive a number of key educational workshops. The aim of these sessions, as well as individual one-on-one support, is to help players with their approach to becoming a professional cricketer, and to be better prepared for life off the field of play. The PCA, in partnership with NatWest, arranged for the bank’s successful MoneySense financial education programme to be delivered across all first-class County Academies and provide players with the opportunity to understand the skills and knowledge needed to manage their salaries. We recognise that a player’s ability to manage their finances effectively is essential to the lifestyle of a professional cricketer. Educating Academy players is therefore an essential part of creating good habits early in their careers. NatWest has been delivering personal financial education in schools for almost 20 years and MoneySense has over 13,000 teachers registered to use the resources online. MoneySense research discovered that 90% of adults in the UK didn’t received lessons on managing money at school. 66% of adults felt that having lessons would have better equipped them to deal with the financial challenges of modern life, and over half of young people surveyed were concerned that they will not have enough money to fund their future plans, such as going to university and buying a house. The MoneySense programme is supported and accredited by independent bodies such as the Personal Financial Education Group (PFEG) and Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS). Jason Ratcliffe, PCA Deputy CEO, commented, ” It’s not an understatement to say that money is one of the most important things in life! Looking after your money is vital at every stage of our lives, but especially in the transition period after a life in professional sport. Therefore, the grounding in finance that NatWest MoneySense is providing to our academy players is imperative and another example of their outstanding and ongoing support for cricket.” Gill Walsh, NatWest Business Community Partner, commented, ” NatWest are delighted to be able to provide personal financial education through our MoneySense resources to these aspiring sportsmen. Money management is a vital life skill which we believe will help these young people make informed financial decisions now and in the future. Our continued work with the PCA shows our commitment to working in our communities.” Ian Thomas, PCA National Personal Development Manager, commented, ” We have been providing budgeting and financial education to Academies for a number of years. However, linking up with NatWest and their well-known and established education programme, will add value to the input already being delivered to the County Academies by the PCA and is appreciated by all involved in looking after the players development and welfare.” The NatWest MoneySense education is being delivered to all County Academies between January and March 2014. For further information, please contact Ian Thomas at Ithomas@thepca.co.uk. {{ak_sharing}}
