Contracts given tentative welcome by Hoffmann

Jan 8 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

FORMER Saltires hero Paul Hoffmann this week welcomed the news that Scotland’s cricket stars have been given professional contracts.

It was announced in December that Cricket Scotland had awarded contracts to their entire 25-strong winter training squad, at a cost of around £200,000.

Captain Ryan Watson and pace bowlers Dewald Nel and Gordon Goudie join three County players on full-time deals, while 19 others have been offered part-time contracts at three different levels to mesh with their existing employment.

Uddingston star Hoffmann said he’s pleased with the news, but warned that the national side won’t fully reap the benefits until the majority of players are tied up.

He said: “I think it’s an excellent idea, providing that players are on professional training regimes with access to all facilities.

“However, Scottish cricket won’t see the benefit of full-time cricketers unless the majority of the squad are on contracts. Nel, Watson and Goudie were available for most of our games last year, so I don’t think it will have a great impact this season – but it’s a step in the right direction.

“In order for Scotland to compete consistently against the County teams, we had to make the progression to employ our cricketers on a full-time basis.

“It was impossible for us to get the results we wanted when working full-time and not being able to train as often as we wanted.

“I never had time for my body to recover because often I would get back from England around 1am and be back at work the next day.

“Full-time cricketers can recover and be better prepared physically and mentally to perform at a high standard.

“If Scottish cricket wants to compete with the County teams and be the best associate nation we need our cricketers to be full-time.”

The 38-year-old retired from international cricket in 2007, and believes a professional deal would have encouraged him to continue his top-level playing days.

He said: “Professional contracts will mean better results, which means greater exposure.

“Players will have full-time access to gyms, sports psychologists, nutrition experts, and physios.

“That would have been great and it would have definitely prolonged my career with Scotland – it was far too tiring trying to combine an international career with a full-time job.”