Over the weekend, senior members of our team attended The Cricket Symposium, hosted by Clarity Coach, Tara Nicholas and Fortis Talent Management. The morning was filled with two powerful panel discussions —“The Business of Cricket” and “360 High Performance”—along with networking opportunities that left a lasting impression on our team.
Panel 1: The Business of Cricket
The first session focused on the off-field aspects of cricket—finances, career sustainability, and personal brand.
For our team, one of the strongest takeaways was the need for players to plan ahead and think carefully about finances. Athletes benefit when they surround themselves with the right people, build genuine relationships, and make smart long-term decisions about their futures.
Another reflection was on the power of personal branding. A standout example that resonated was David Beckham—even though he no longer plays, he remains highly relevant because of the strength of the brand he has built over the years. For young cricketers, this is a reminder that their influence and opportunities extend far beyond the playing field when they are intentional about the image and values they project.
Panel 2: 360 High Performance
The second panel shifted the conversation toward holistic high performance and the importance of honest, supportive coaching.
This discussion strongly resonated with our coaching team, who reflected on the responsibility of coaches to have tough but vital conversations with players about where they are and where they want to go. These conversations are not just about cricketing skills but also about the players’ lives, ambitions, and wellbeing.
As Coach Babalwa noted:
“The importance of communication, having vital conversations with players to gauge where they are in life and with cricket at large.”
This aligns deeply with our CATCH approach—seeing and supporting the whole player, not just their performance on the field.
Walking away from The Cricket Symposium, our team was reminded that cricket is so much more than a sport. It is an ecosystem where business, brand, and performance intersect—and where the success of players and coaches depends on navigating all three with clarity and purpose.
The insights shared by the panelists will no doubt inform the way we mentor players, build structures around them, and strengthen our own practices as a team.
We thank Tara Nicholas, Fortis Talent Management, and all the speakers and panelists for creating a space of rich learning and connection.
The journey of cricket continues—not only on the field but in the lives, brands, and futures of the people who play and shape the game.
