PCA: Freeborn investing in her future

For many professional cricketers, the winter months consist of some well-earned rest before the grind of indoor nets, hitting the gym and cold, gruelling running sessions.

But for Abbey Freeborn, the break from English domestic matches is a chance to challenge herself in a different dimension.

The Warwickshire ‘keeper-batter is working towards an Investment Management Certificate (IMC), having started the process earlier in the year after discovering her interest in investing through listening to podcasts and reading online.

Freeborn, who attended the PCA’s Futures Conference in 2022, then spoke to her PCA Personal Development Manager (PDM) Lynsey Williams about what she could do to turn this curiosity into something tangible and was recommended the online course she’s now undertaking.

“I quite enjoy learning anyway,” Freeborn, who achieved a degree in mathematics and sport science from Loughborough University, said.

“I graduated a few years ago and had the bug to study again. I figured there would be no harm starting earlier rather than later planning my career progressions for after cricket. You never know what’s going to happen, so I just thought why not.

“Whether this is what I go into once I’ve retired, I’m not sure. But it fits that mathematical side of me that I really enjoy learning about. I’m hoping it will be useful for the future.”

Following that initial conversation, the PCA has further gone on to support Freeborn by helping her manage her time playing and studying. Additionally, the PCA has subsidised half of the fees, which it does for all personal development courses up to a maximum of £1,500 (e.g. a £3,000 course qualifies for a reimbursement of £1,500). To find out more, click here.

This allowed her to continue performing on the pitch too, scoring more than 600 runs for Central Sparks last season and lifting The Hundred trophy with London Spirit.

She’s now looking forward to continuing her studies across the next few months, giving her something else to focus on before resuming on-field duties next spring. Alongside the IMC, Freeborn has also started a leadership course with FEED Consultancy, having seen the opportunity advertised by the PCA.

“It was tough in the summer, cricket takes up so much more of my time,” she admitted.

“Going into the winter it’s much easier, I have lots more time to do it. I quite like it because it gives me another focus outside of cricket, a different type of challenge.

“I’m challenged intellectually with it and having the balance of the two helps my cricket because it’s an easy way to switch off.”

She’s also hoping to utilise the support of other members who have subsequently moved into the industry to put her learnings into practice with experience at investment companies in the future.

Such proactivity in planning for life beyond cricket is actively encouraged by the PCA, particularly during its flagship Futures Week where members are provided with opportunities and examples to inspire them to think about what the future holds.

Freeborn, recently appointed Warwickshire Women’s PCA Rep, encourages members at all stages of their playing careers to begin thinking about what they may want to do next and give things a try.

She said: “I would highly recommend doing it as soon as possible. If you’re not sure what you want to do, speak to a PCA Rep or a PDM.

“The thing that stopped me from starting sooner was that I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do but I figured I’d only learn if it was the right thing by actually doing it.

“If you’ve got that doubt, going into something and trying it is better than doing nothing. You’ll find out sooner rather than later whether it’s right for you.”