ECB Professional Cricketer Internship Programme

Purpose What is the purpose of the ECB Professional Cricketer Internship Programme? The ECB and PCA are providing an opportunity for 4 professional cricketers to spend four weeks in the offseason with the ECB. The specific opportunities are covered below. The purpose of this scheme is to support professional cricketers in their professional off-pitch development and provide them with a taste of what a career in cricket administration involves. For many, it could provide the first exposure to a corporate job, helping to build an understanding of career options available to them after being a professional cricketer. By the end of the programme, participants should have developed a greater understanding of cricket administration, built professional networks across the game and completed one or more practical pieces of work within their host department. This internship is expected to run for four weeks between November 9th and December 4th 2026. What are the opportunities? We have secured opportunities in three departments at the ECB which are outlined below. Applicants will be asked to indicate their preferred placement(s) during the application process, although final allocations will be based on applicant interests, experience and department availability. Opportunities for 2026 Internships: 1. Professional Game An opportunity to work with the ECB’s Pro Game Team, who manage the ECB’s day-to-day relationships with the Counties and the PCA. As well as spending time with the team and getting to understand their roles, the internship will include some project-based work on behalf of the Pro Game Team and the Player Working Group. The successful candidate will also shadow other teams – including Cricket Operations and the Cricket Regulator – to gain a wider experience of ‘behind the scenes’ cricket administration. 2. The Hundred An opportunity to work with The Hundred team, who plan and deliver the central aspects of The Hundred competition and coordinate the ECB’s relationship with each of the team owners and venues. There will be two positions available with The Hundred team, one with the Strategy team and one with the Marketing/Commercial team. The internships will include project work supporting planning for the 2027 edition of The Hundred, potentially covering competition strategy, marketing and communications, and commercial partnerships. Last year, interns directly supported planning for The Helix Trophy and The Hundred Pop-Up Vlogs. 3. Media and Communication An opportunity to work with the ECB's Communications Team, who manage media relations, digital content, reputation management and campaigns. The successful candidate will support across all comms workstreams, including supporting the planning of communications campaigns designed to drive more people to think cricket is a game for them. There will be opportunities to contribute to our work profiling and platforming players across the England men's, women's and disability teams; producing eye-catching content for the England Cricket social channels; and identifying content creators, influencers and talent to help take cricket to new audiences. As the internship falls outside of the cricket season, in November the team will have a strong focus on campaign and planning, offering real insight into everything that goes into building a public-facing campaign, as well as day-to-day media management. What is expected of participants? This is a four-week internship with the expectation of working 4-5 days per week (depending on training commitments), with 2-3 days spent in the ECB's office at Lord’s , depending on the role focus and project. A standard 9-5 working pattern will be expected, but there will naturally be understanding and flexibility if you have to fulfil other commitments, including with your club. We expect all participants to be proactive and professional. Successful applicants will be assigned to one of the participating departments and you will be assigned a Manager who may task you with a specific project to complete or may assign you short tasks to broaden your learning. At the end of the month, participants will be asked to present to both ECB and PCA staff – either on a specific project that they have been tasked with, or more broadly about what they have learnt and gained from the programme. What is the application process? There is a short application process, closing on 4th September 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a panel within the ECB and shortlisted participants will undergo informal interviews, which will take place online in the week commencing 14th September. The successful participants will start the internship programme in early November 2026. There are no eligibility criteria beyond being a professional cricketer during the 2026 summer season. When considering applications, the panel will take into account how the programme aligns with an individual's current career plans and future aspirations, including preparation for a potential transition from full-time professional cricket. The application panel will not focus on perfect grammar. Please answer the questions in your own words and avoid using AI to generate your responses. Our systems can identify AI-generated content, which may be flagged during the application process. We are keen to understand your genuine motivations and experience, and the questions you answer now are likely to reflect those used later in the recruitment process. Authentic responses will give you the best opportunity to showcase your suitability for the role. You must have the right to work in the UK. What support will be provided? You will be assigned a line manager for your programme from your host department. This person will set you work, involve you in tasks, and be your primary point of contact throughout the programme. You will also be assigned a buddy in your host department who will help you settle in and get to know life at the ECB. Your PDM will also be available to create an additional level of support. The internship is unpaid but, where required, successful participants will have access to an ECB/PCA funded Internship Bursary to support with internship related expenses e.g. travel. There is an expectation that your club will continue to pay your salary, as your primary source of income.