The action packed day will consist of introductions to the PCA and several workshops including negotiation skills, safe driving, DrinkiQ safe drinking delivered by Diageo, the new world of social media, anti-doping, anti-corruption, health and well-being, discipline rules and regulations and a past player session where rookies will get the chance to quiz those who have ‘trodden the pathway’ before them.

PCA Chief Executive Angus Porter said, “The day is designed to introduce the rookies to as much as we can within a short time span, in order to equip them to deal with the most important issues of the modern game, both the many positives of being a professional cricketer, the pitfalls that lurk around the corners and the responsibility as roles models they have to uphold on behalf of the game,  themselves, their counties and ECB”

This year’s Rookie camp is supported by The Tom Maynard Trust (TMT), which has joined forces with PCA to help support the overall Personal Development Programme, a joint programme with ECB. The Trust’s objects create perfect synergy for the rookie camp and the PDW programme aims, by helping aspiring young sports people achieve their goals and aspirations.

Martyn Ryan, Chairman of the TMT commented “With the Trust still in its infancy, this represents a perfect opportunity to fulfil our role but covering so much valuable ground with these young aspiring professionals”

By partnering with Diageo, the PCA are also delivering a responsible drinking session through their DrinkiQ programme. Rookies will be the first to benefit from the interactive presentation, which will then be rolled out to each county squad over the next 12 months.

Mark Baird, Head of Industry Affairs & Alcohol Policy at Diageo GB, said: “Diageo has a proud history of promoting responsible drinking. Sportsmen and women are role models in our society and the PCA’s efforts to ensure players understand the facts about alcohol should be applauded. The DrinkiQ initiative can only benefit professional cricketers in England and Wales.”

The Tom Maynard Trust is to form an exciting new partnership with the Professional Cricketers’ Association to support the latter’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme.

Starting in 2013, the Trust will be working with the PCA as it continues to roll out its development programmes for players at county cricket clubs across England and Wales. The aim of the programmes is to work closely with cricketers, coaches and support staff as part of an integrated team so as to minimise potential concerns, conflicts and distractions, all of which can be detrimental to a player’s performance and, at worst, may end a career prematurely.

The programmes cover a broad spectrum of important topics, including: prevention and rehabilitation programmes for alcohol, gambling and drug addiction; personal welfare and well-being; media and communication training; preparation for careers outside cricket; and a range of educational support.

For 2013 it has been agreed that the Trust’s support will be channelled directly into the PCA’s ‘Rookie Camp’, which is a programme designed to bring first year county contracted players together and advise them on a range of issues they will face as professional cricketers.

The Trust has committed to supporting these programmes until 2017. This may involve work in more specific areas from year to year.

Martyn Ryan, Chairman of the Trustees of the Tom Maynard Trust, said:

“The PCA have been involved in the work we’re doing right from the outset and the Trustees took the view that this was a really positive and logical way for us to get more involved. The PCA’s personal development and welfare programme covers a wide range of different areas but for us it hits right at the heart of what we are trying to do as a charity, which is to help young aspirant sportspeople to develop, and we’re particularly pleased with the idea of supporting the Rookie Camp in 2013. We look forward to a long and healthy partnership.”

Angus Porter, Chief Executive of the PCA, said:

“We’re delighted to have formalized our relationship with the Tom Maynard Trust in this way. Their support will add tremendous value to what we are doing with our members, particularly the younger ones making their way in the game. Obviously Tom’s death has affected a lot of people within the game, especially at the two counties he played for, but it’s fantastic to think that we can do such positive work with players of all ages in his name, and the impact the Trust’s support will have, especially on younger players making their way in the game, will be significant.”

Donations to the Trust can be made either via the website or by contacting Jon Rees, Carston Accountants, Tudor House, 16 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Tom Maynard Trust’.

The 30-year-old, a former playing colleague of Tom’s, who was signed for Glamorgan by Tom’s father Matthew in 2008, aims to raise a five figure sum to be shared between the Tom Maynard Trust and the PCA Benevolent Fund.  He will be joined on the swim by two friends: former Warwickshire seamer, Tom Mees, and Emma Lawson.  The swim will take place in a window between 25th September and 2nd October 2013, subject to the most favourable tide around that time.

Adam Shantry said:

“Having played with Tom, and worked under Matthew, I really wanted to do something to raise some money for the Trust.  After having to finish playing due to chronic knee injuries myself I also see it as a great opportunity to help the PCA, who were really good to me when I was forced to retire.  Obviously with knee problems I couldn’t realistically join in with any of the cycling projects and running was out of the question as well.  I’m a keen swimmer and this just came to me as a really good fundraising idea. 

We’ve been given a week’s window and we’ve sorted out all the logistical support issues.  The success rate from solo swimmers is relatively low and as I didn’t want to let the Trust down in any way we agreed it would be a good idea for three of us to swim it in relay format, an hour at a time in turn.  I’m really grateful to Tom and Emma for agreeing to help me.  We’re confident we can raise a significant sum and I hope we can provide some publicity for the work the Trust is doing as the challenge draws nearer.”

Matthew Maynard said:

“What a fantastic gesture. Shants has always been a bit off the wall, but I suppose if he can’t cycle or run then this is about as big a challenge as you can get!  He tells me they’re only allowed to wear basic swimsuit, cap and goggles so it’s going to be pretty cold in there.  He also says there are 700 commercial ship movements, basking sharks and, depending on tides, they may end up having to wade through 25 miles: even in relay that’s quite some effort.  I take my hat off to the three of them and I’m really grateful to them for showing such commitment.  The whole venture deserves to raise a lot of money.  But much as though I enjoy getting involved in some of these ventures, I think this is one I’ll be watching from a safe distance!”

To sponsor Shants please click here to go to his Justgiving page.

The Trust, set up in June following the tragic death of talented cricketer Tom Maynard, exists to help the development of aspiring disadvantaged cricketers and other sportspeople who require support with different aspects of their career development.  Areas where support is considered include bursaries, help with training and education, financial help with overseas placements, assistance with kit and equipment and, either directly or in partnership with other agencies, providing support for raising awareness and rehabilitation programmes within sport.

Mike Fatkin, one of the Trustees, welcomed the news:

“Although we’ve been active for some months now we’ve had to wait for official recognition from the Charity Commission before being able to really throw ourselves into supporting the various fundraising activities.  To date well over £50,000 has been raised through a whole variety of different initiatives and we’ve made our first awards.  We have a few “admin jobs” to sort out now that we have official charity status but we expect to sort these out in the coming weeks.”

The Trustees have agreed a £250,000 target to be achieved over a 55-month period from the start of 2013, the 55 representing Tom’s squad number at Surrey.

Chair of the Trustees, Martyn Ryan, said:

“The Trustees have agreed a target of a quarter of a million pounds as our preliminary objective, and have set ourselves until July 2017 to achieve that goal.  We will see how things develop and review progress as we go.  We have been heartened by the support we have received to date and a number of fundraising events are already planned for 2013.  Having made several grants already we are keen to encourage applications from aspiring young sportspeople.”

Events to support in 2013 include:

• Trek For Tom – A trek in Borneo, participants including London Welsh forward and former schoolfriend of Tom Maynard, Ed Jackson, along with Tom’s sister, Ceri (http://www.justgiving.com/Maynard55).
• St Fagans Cricket Match – A special fundraising cricket match at St Fagans Cricket Club, near Cardiff, the local club for which both Tom and, before him, Matthew, played, with a list of star names taking on the local side (details to be publicized once the county fixtures have been confirmed).
• London to Paris cycle ride in May, organized by Barry Clayton (http://www.londontoparis2013.com/).
• A major bike ride around the Test match cities of England being organized by the Professional Cricketers’ Association in aid of the Trust and the PCA Benevolent Fund (http://www.thepca.co.uk/the-big-bike-ride-bf-tmt-2013.html).

Donations to the Trust can be made to individual activities or by contacting Jon Rees, Carston Accountants, Tudor House, 16 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ.  Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Tom Maynard Trust’.  A ‘Just Giving’ page is in the process of being created.

Applications for grant aid support can be made by emailing mike.fatkin@live.co.uk

Ends

Ed Jackson, a school friend of Tom’s, has decided to jump in at the deep end with a survival test in the heart of the borneo rainforest.

This remote untamed corner of the world will play host to 10 days of testing trekking. Sleeping on the jungle floor or with local tribes the trekkers shall hack their way through 20km of thick jungle per day until they reach their goal at Loksardo.

Jackson says “Tom was a very dear friend of ours and we would do whatever we can to help the trust that has been set up in his name”.

All of the money will be going directly to the trust via the Surrey cricket club. Any donation will be much appreciated so please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you to everyone who entered the prize draw in aid of the Tom Maynard Trust, through Ian William’s Twitter account.

The lucky winners are as follows:

• Signed Maynard 33 shirt: Alan Tucker (number 33)
• Gloves: Andrew Weekes (number 92)
• Four tickets: Richie Green (number 13)

The Raffle has raised £500 for the Trust, so thank you for your donations.

FORMER ENGLAND ALL-ROUNDER ANDREW FLINTOFF HAS AGREED TO BECOME THE FIRST PATRON OF THE RECENTLY-FORMED TOM MAYNARD TRUST.

Flintoff recently joined 29 other cyclists, including Tom’s father Matthew and other former county cricketers, in riding from the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff to the Kia Oval in London to raise funds for the Trust, which was established in the name of Tom Maynard, who died tragically on 18th June.

The cycle ride has thus far raised in excess of £30,000. Donations can still be made by visitinghttp://www.tommaynardtrust.com.

The Tom Maynard Trust exists to help the development of aspiring disadvantaged cricketers and other sportspeople who require support with different aspects of their career development, including bursaries, help with training and education, financial support for overseas placements and assistance with kit and equipment.

Speaking this week, Flintoff said: “I am honoured to have been asked to support the Trust and delighted to be able to help in my own small way.

“The cycle ride was a great example of people coming together to work for a fantastic cause and I look forward to being able to support Matthew and the Trust in many different ways in the future. It’s a privilege to be involved.”

A spokesperson confirmed that further Patron appointments would be made in due course as the profile of the Trust grew and its work developed.

Prior to the Surrey/Glamorgan match at the Kia Oval on 21st August, Matthew Maynard presented cheques for £2,000 to David Lloyd (Glamorgan), Matt Dunn and George Edwards (Surrey) who will be the first three beneficiaries of the Trust.

The money will be enable them to develop their cricketing education by playing and coaching overseas this winter. The players were nominated by the cricket management at their respective counties.

Surrey’s Director of Cricket Chris Adams said: “Matt and George are really grateful to the Tom Maynard Trust for giving them this opportunity to go away and develop themselves, both as cricketers and as individuals, and I know the same applies in David’s case as well.

“Tom was such a vibrant part of this club, and so sorely missed by everyone, but we’re delighted that his name is living on and that such positive work is being done to help emerging cricketers.”

The five Trustees are Martyn Ryan, Richard Thompson, Mike Fatkin, Jason Ratcliffe and Matthew Maynard.

Details of further events will be announced in due course. Plans are already advanced for a cycle ride around some of the Test match grounds in the UK in October 2013, proceeds being shared between the PCA Benevolent Fund and the Tom Maynard Trust, with over half of last week’s riders committing to cycle again. More information can be found on the PCA website: http://www.thepca.co.uk/the-big-village-bike-ride-2013.html

Donations to the Trust can be made by contacting Jon Rees, Carston Accountants, Tudor House, 16 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ. Cheques should be made payable to “The Tom Maynard Trust.”

The late Tom Maynard was honoured last night with a posthumous County Cap – presented by Surrey Chairman Richard Thompson to his father Matthew.

The presentation took place at the start of the Tom Maynard Memorial Match at the Kia Oval last night, which also saw the Surrey players wear Maynard’s former number of 55 and Glamorgan all wear 33, his number when playing in Wales.

Other tributes at the match included a minute’s applause at the beginning of the game and a tribute video played on the Kia Oval replay screen. This can also be viewed directly below this article.

Speaking today, Richard Thompson said: “The posthumous award of a county cap to Tom is in special recognition of his contribution in a very short time to the resurgence in the club fortunes since his arrival in 2011 to his death earlier this year.

“His incredible century in the final game of the last season, being selected for the England Lions squad and his position at the top of our batting averages in the County Championship and CB40 when his tragically lost his life underline his contribution and tremendous promise; sadly a promise we have all be robbed of seeing fulfilled.”

Also before the game, Matthew Maynard made the first grant from the Tom Maynard Trust – presenting cheques to Chris Adams (on behalf of Matt Dunn and George Edwards), Glamorgan batsman David Lloyd and the PCA Benevolent Fund. Click here for more information on this.

The first grants from the Tom Maynard Trust were presented at the Kia Oval last night – with awards handed out to players from both Surrey and Glamorgan – as well as the PCA Benevolent Fund.

Grants were given to Surrey fast bowlers Matthew Dunn and George Edwards, enabling the pair to pursue coaching and playing options this winter that would otherwise have been unavailable to them.

As the pair were in action for the Surrey Second XI at Lady Bay in Nottingham, Team Director Chris Adams received them on their behalf.

There was also a cheque given to Glamorgan batsman David Lloyd and a £2,000 donation made to the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) Benevolent Fund.

The cheques were handed over by Tom’s father Matthew Maynard – a trustee of the charity – just after he had arrived at the Kia Oval having led a peloton of cyclists 178 miles from Cardiff to London over the previous two days.

The grants given were the first handed out by the Trust, which – thanks to the generosity of cricket supporters from around the world – has already raised well over £20,000.

Remembering Tom