Earlier this week, Middlesex’s young EPG squad took part in an education session delivered by Middlesex partner Nujum Sports, as part of the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s (PCA) ‘Learn Before Wicket’ (LBW) EDI Educational Programme.
The LBW programme was officially launched by the PCA in early 2023 and was developed based on feedback from previous player surveys, Personal Development Manager (PDM) conversations with players, and outcomes from the ECB Dressing Room Culture Capture review. The programme has been designed to empower players with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace diversity, exercise inclusivity, promote equity and equality within their cricket environment.
The LBW series include seven different topics; Inclusive Language, Intersectionality, Unconscious v Conscious Bias, Allyship, Disability Inclusion, LGBT+ Inclusion (in collaboration with Out4Cricket) and Faith & Religion (in collaboration with Nujum Sports). The players themselves choose which module they want delivering so that they can enhance their understanding through open and meaningful conversations in a safe space so they can in turn support team cohesion and performance.
The sessions are facilitated by one or two of the PCA’s Inclusion Champions who are all current or former cricket players:
Whilst the LBW programme was initially targeted at those in the professional game, with both Middlesex and Sunrisers players previously also taking part in the sessions, the PCA felt it was beneficial to also deliver the programme to Academy players – the future leaders in the game who can help drive an inclusive culture in years to come.
The session was held at Merchant Taylors’ School, in Northwood, in the Julian Hill Cricket Centre, and in attendance at the session was Middlesex EPG star, James Isbell, who commented:
“I found the talk very informative on such an important subject.
“Ebs (Nujum Sports) made the talk very interactive and engaging and I feel as though everyone left the discussion more knowledgeable and better educated about the topic.”
