A winter of opportunity

The winter period provides a platform of opportunity for players to try new things and gain experience in a field that is of interest to them. Players are encouraged to use their time effectively and for some this means undertaking work experience, where they will acquire knowledge and experience that will help shape their career beyond playing. 

Christchurch based PD Manager Rachel Harris recently caught up with a couple our current playing members (Sam Wells and Logan van Beek) to see what they have been doing over winter.

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Dunedin local Sam Wells graduated in law from Otago University in 2007 and was admitted to the bar in 2014. The ambitious and talented cricketer is also intent on building his talents off the field and has spent the past three winters inside various legal offices of Dunedin. 

"I have found the CPA PD team an invaluable source of guidance, and advice for progressing my career outside of Cricket" said Wells. 

This winter Wells earned a wonderful opportunity to work at Gallaway Cook Allan as a junior lawyer in the litigation team, predominately undertaking civil litigation.  Wells has also racked up experience in commercial, land and employment matters as well as getting an insight into some criminal work. A highlight of the winter was when Wells made his debut in Court - where his experiences in cricket will undoubtedly have helped. 

With the confidence of a winter full of experiences and development Wells is looking forward to this summer where he will stride out for the Volts with a positive and refreshed attitude, that will undoubtedly help his cricket performance. 

Wells advice to other cricketers is simple "I encourage all CPA members to utilise the CPA's resources as much as possible." 

A few hours north in the garden city Logan van Beek was embarking on his first year out of university. The class of 2014 B.Comm graduate turned his attention to getting some practical workplace skills that compliment his degree over the winter. van Beek's proactive approach has seen him perform a variety of roles that fulfill his goal of gaining experience in a range of industries and different types of workplaces. 

"The PD programme has given me opportunities to further develop skills outside of cricket" said van Beek. 

van Beek volunteered at the Delta Friendship Link doing crafts and music with intellectually disabled persons. Staying closer to his sporting talents (van Beek was also an age grade NZ Basketball representative), he spent time with the Canterbury Rams basketball organisation, where he was tasked with creating a marketing plan and provided methods for improvement across the business - which resulted in a summarised plan of how the Rams fan experience could be enhanced.  

van Beek spent a significant period of time volunteering at Imagination State who run the Charity Lego Land, aimed at getting children back into Christchurch's central city business area.  van Beek was tasked with improving their communications via social media and website while also helping with operational tasks. Alongside his volunteer work van Beek completed Social Media Marketing certificate through the Marketing Association. 

van Beek can be satisfied with the way he has spent the past few months and asserts that "the PD programme has helped me better understand and gain experience in areas of work I can consider after cricket".

The Personal Development Programme prompts players to improve their skills in all areas of their lives. More about the Personal Development Programme, and key Contacts 

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