PCA and Lodders look to the future

Lodders has extended its partnership with the PCA and will continue its support as the headline sponsor of the 2023 PCA Futures Awards.

Originally becoming a commercial partner to the PCA in 2020 and lead sponsor in 2021, this November will see Lodders continue its commitment to supporting PCA members with their personal development for the third year in succession, with the firm announced as title sponsors of the 2023 PCA Futures Awards.

The 2023 PCA Futures Awards in association with Lodders will once again be held at the law firm’s Cheltenham head office, with the finalists presenting to the judges on 21 November and the winners being announced a week later.

Applications will be open from 1 September and will close just over eight weeks later on 29 October.

Building on the success of 2022, the categories provide an opportunity for all to apply in Business Impact, CSR and Community and Academic Progression.

There is also £2,000 for the winner of each category to go towards personal development and an additional £1,000 for the overall winner provided by Lodders.

Last year’s success stories

At last year’s awards, Tom Smith walked away with the overall prize as well as winning the CSR and Community category, impressing the judges with the selflessness of his off-field activities.

The Gloucestershire spinner played a vital role in advocating for funding from the PCA’s partnership with Vitality to support players with critical health cover.

The 35-year-old wanted to make fellow professionals aware of the benefits of appropriate life cover following the death of his wife Laura in 2018.

Thunder’s Fi Morris won the Business Impact prize and her teammate and captain Ellie Threlkeld picked up the award in the Academic Progression category, as both players received £2,000 towards their off-field aspirations.

Supporting the PCA’s Futures initiatives

Lodders will also support the PCA’s wider Futures initiatives, including the two-day Futures Conference held at Loughborough Elite Athlete Centre, which sees PCA members congregate to discuss their personal development and hear from an array of inspiring speakers.

The Futures Conference forms part of Futures Week, an annual seven-day event which aims to highlight successful career transition stories among PCA members.

The Futures initiatives, which are part of the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme aim to highlight the very best examples of personal development amongst PCA members and help them to achieve future ambitions.

PCA Commercial Director, Rob Smyth, said: “The partnership with Lodders Solicitors being extended is great news for the PCA and our members.

“Last year I was part of the judging panel for the first time and it was great to see how our members were developing their personal development off the field.

“The Lodders sponsorship is crucial to the Futures Awards, through an array of reasons including hosting the event, the support and advice provided to all applicants and the financial aspect which shows their commitment to improving people for their future.”

Overall PCA Futures Awards winner in 2022, Tom Smith, said: “The whole process was so valuable because Lodders does genuinely care so much and want to help set each player up for their future career.

“The judges were so impressed with the critical health cover that they spurred me on to continue with it. So I’m now working on rugby and football having a similar policy to cricket.”

Lodders Managing Partner, Paul Mourton, said: “It is a privilege to support the Futures initiative and we were genuinely blown away by Tom’s achievements and the legacy he is creating. We look forward to meeting the 2023 finalists in November and commend The PCA for running this fantastic initiative.”

Find out more about the PCA Futures Awards in association with Lodders Solicitors, as well as the PCA’s wider Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP).