Yash Vagadia wins top accolade at 2023 PCA Futures Awards

Yorkshire star Yash Vagadia has won the 2023 PCA Futures Awards, in association with Lodders Solicitors, after he impressed the panel with his recent off-field accomplishments.

The 19-year-old claimed the victory in the Academic Progression category alongside being named the outstanding candidate of the process.

Vagadia was recognised by the judges for his sheer amount of personal development activities that he’s completed in the last year and for the work he has been doing towards his Biology and Chemistry degree at Durham University, whilst applying for law training contracts and mentoring prospective medical students.

The Newcastle-born batting all-rounder received £3,000 to aid his personal development, thanks to Lodders, with the youngster keen to invest his winnings back into his education.

Yorkshire star Yash Vagadia has won the 2023 PCA Futures Awards.

Vagadia, said: “I’ve been doing lots in the last 12 months alongside my degree with the cricket, law applications and tutoring other students as well as some coaching on the side.

“To find out that I’d won was very surprising, it was one of the best feelings ever, I was really grateful to receive the reward and it shows that I’ve done some good work over the last 12 months.

“It’s great that the PCA supports all sorts of personal development because cricket isn’t there for our whole lives.

“I’m so glad I applied, it was a great process and I’m really appreciative of the support from Lodders.”

The PCA Futures Awards, which are part of the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP), encourages candidates to apply with detailed information of what they have been doing away from the game. A list of finalists are then invited to deliver a presentation followed by a question and answer session based on their personal development.

For the third year in succession, the PCA Futures Awards were held in association with Lodders Solicitors, at the law firm’s Cheltenham office. The judges had the difficult task of picking the winners from each category and an overall prize from the seven finalists.

Finalists presented in person and via video link to the panel, with the decision makers then sharing an IT package of support from PCA partner Lucidica to those who had specific needs.

The panel, made up of Lodders Managing Partner, Paul Mourton, PCA Non Executive Director Caroline Artis and PCA Head of Cricket Operations, Rich Hudson, were extremely impressed by the aptitude of the finalists.

PCA Head of Cricket Operations, Rich Hudson, said: “We’ve had seven brilliant candidates present to the panel which is a great opportunity for them to tell us about the projects that they’re passionate about, they were very inspiring. They’ve also sat down with the Lodders professionals to talk about how to develop and improve their ideas.

“Lodders’ support is fantastic, the day provides a great opportunity for the players to explore out of their comfort zones and into a professional environment. Lodders are great at helping the players grow their personal development.”

Lodders Solicitors Managing Partner, Paul Mourton, added: “It’s a great initiative for the firm to be involved in, supporting players with their personal development.

“It’s been really enjoyable working with Caroline and Rich today from the PCA, we saw a full spectrum of presentations today that were very impressive.

“The three winners were very well deserved, we put a lot of time and effort into the Futures Awards and we’re delighted that the players and the PCA have enjoyed it.”

2023 PCA Futures Awards winners