Jared Wilson is a cricketing all-rounder - excelling as a batsman, bowler, and fielder for the North West Warriors cricket team and Cliftonville Academy. But, he has also taken his skills beyond the pitch founding recruitment start-up Cricket Jobs in June 2023. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with career opportunities in the cricket industry.
Within the course of this interview, Jared provides insight into building a professional cricket career, making the transition from sport to business, using his platform to give back to the cricket community and what goals he has with Cliftonville Academy for the upcoming 2024 NCU Premier League season.
First let's delve into Jared's playing career
How did you feel last season was for both yourself and Cliftonville Academy?
I feel it went well. From where the club was last year to where we are going into this season, is much different. Clubs must rock up and play good cricket to beat us rather than just walking over us. There were a few games where we did not play well but I think we are better prepared going into the club's 3rd Premier League season in 2024.
From a personal perspective, it didn't start off well. I remember feeling under a lot of pressure going into the season but having a lot of chats with pro, Abhisek Raut and too skipper at the time, Max Burton - they reassured me that I just need to stay calm. It is just another game of cricket and to back my skills. After that I went from three ducks in a row to having a consistent season and helped my team to a few wins.
From three wins in 2022 for CACC to winning eleven games in 2023. With some narrow games too such as losing to CSNI, Lisburn and North Down by under 15 runs. Hopefully the results go our way this season and 14 wins out of 22 games is a reasonably good season. That will be our aim this year.
What parts of your batting and bowling technique have you been working on improving over the course of the winter?
There were a few things I could off certainly done better to help be even more consistent last year from both a club level and inter pro level.
My run up has not been great recently. Not too sure why but I have just lost that rhythm that I used to have. Now looking to improve on that rhythm which will hopefully allow me to be more consistent and pick up a yard in pace. At club level, I took a few wickets but at InterPro level, I did not do well at all. Thus, why working on that this winter to improve my chances of being a genuine all rounder at a higher level and contribute with both bat and ball for my warriors team.
From a batting perspective, rotating strike is certainly one area I am looking to improve on. I tend to normally dot up three or four balls an over, hit a boundary and then dot again. If that can turn a few singles and a boundary then that would put the fielding team under a lot more pressure. This would mean I could be 20 off 20 rather than 20 off 35 balls. The short ball is also something I've been trying to improve against. I think everyone knows that it is a weakness of mine at a higher level and this season I would love to counterattack on that situation which will hopefully result in the bowler then bowling to my strengths.
What's a typical training week look like for you during the season? How do you prepare mentally and physically for matches?
It is sometimes difficult to train like the perfect professional as I still need to work to put food on the table for my family etc, but I do prepare to do the best that I can. Looking at roughly three days training a week, gym three days a week and then getting your match in on the weekend.
So physically, would just being consistent in the gym, getting my overs in with the ball and maintaining a decent diet to stay fuelled. Batting probably comes naturally when you are in the season. Of course, always good to have hits during the week but that is just to keep your eye in and stay confident. Probably something I noticed this year as our pro, Abhisek did not have one single net session while he was over here and scored 1000+ runs. He just bowled and helped us all.
From a mental perspective, I think its just backing myself. Everyone has a bad week or so during the season. So, it is just trying to stay positive, hit a few balls to reassure myself that I am prepared well and then go out onto the pitch and give my best for the team every weekend.
Having played cricket around the world is there any ground or grounds which stand out to you in particular?
I have not played on any stadiums or anything yet unfortunately, but some top grounds would certainly be CSNI on a good sunny day, North Down and Newbuildings CC on a sunny day was always great too. Most of my runs were at home, so in mid-summer, grass green with a good pattern - I would not want to be playing anywhere else than The Castle.
How did you feel whenever you were chosen to captain the Ireland National Academy at the European Cricket Championships?
It came after a good year captaining Newbuildings CC. We had won 2/3 local competitions and missed out on the treble with a narrow loss to Fox Lodge in the senior cup.
First of all, being selected to play was amazing, my first shot at wearing the Irish badge on my chest was something I was so eager for. Then to captain was of course a great feeling. A very young side where all I had to do was to do the toss and say who was bowling. Everyone was at a level where they could concentrate on executing their skill well and did so. Also losing out on the final narrowly but it was a great honour none the less.
Additionally, how did you manage playing in a T10 Competition which is a relatively new format to the players which where in the squad?
It was interesting at first but as soon as the first game got under way watching Seamus Lynch score 70 off 20 balls, we knew what was needed to be done. We won all of our group games in the competition besides one against Spain. We went on to beat Spain in the Qualifier but lose to them in the final. A good learning experience and lots of things to take into the 2023 season where we had a new squad and were able to rectify a few mistakes learnt from 2022.
The wickets in India often play differently than those in Ireland. How did you adjust your batting technique and strategy to account for the different playing conditions?
To be honest, the curator of the ground was first class. He prepared some amazing pitches which suited good cricket. Seamers, spinners, and batters were all in the game. Whoever executed their skills the best, won the battle. There is normally a perception when travelling to India, that wickets will rag square but not in the cases when I went over. Plus the atmosphere at the grounds was fantastic.
What are your individual goals and focus areas for the 2024 NCU season with Cliftonville Academy? What would make this season a successful one for you personally?
We have of course lost Max which is unfortunate. He was a great player, but we too have gained two good players in Kian Hilton who had an excellent showing at the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa along with Tommy Orr from Eglinton CC. These two additions will allow everyone to play their natural way and go into batting without feeling feared of getting out. If one of us gets going and is able to get a competitive total of 250, then hopefully the bowlers can do the job.
A big goal would be to win more games as stated earlier. Winning 60/70% of our games would be awesome and a massive step forward for the club since entering the premier league in 2021. That will hopefully lead to us finishing in the top 6. A successful season for me would be to contribute to the team by taking as many wickets as I can and scoring as many runs I can. Plus holding on to my catches. Your name gets thrown around the table when you are putting in performances to win games for your team not when you score runs and lose. Certainly, things I have learnt from 2023.
Well Jared it's been brilliant to hear about your playing career and your goals for next season. Let's move on to your new venture, Cricket Jobs.
What inspired you to start Cricket Jobs?
I have always been one for working within cricket, coaching, and playing full time or running a small academy etc. So, working within the industry was always a goal of mine.
Running an academy was always going to be dependent on geographic. I knew tech was the way to reach more people and be in a better place financially.
Helping people was always a key thing for me. Helping someone get better or find someone a life changing opportunity. Bringing all four factors together of helping people, across the world to be one day, financially free while working within a field where I am passionate for, cricket.
What's your favourite part about running Cricket Jobs? What motivates you as a founder/entrepreneur?
Number one would be helping people find jobs within the industry. That could be anything from securing a contract in Australia for the winter or getting a two year deal as a marketing manager for Cricket Ireland. Playing a role in someone's journey to whatever path they are taking has been amazing to date.
I have always been a firm believer of do something you love and you'll never work a day in your life. That is how I genuinely feel. I get excited by a new task, challenge, or opportunity to grow Cricket Jobs rather than get stressed by it, burned out or unmotivated about it.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in building and growing Cricket Jobs?
Growing the brand I would say. Just trying to get people on to the site, educate them on what we do without them having them on the site to see.
I would like everyone to have the impression on what we do before having to head to the site to understand. We list jobs around the world. Simple. We promote jobs so that more people can see the vacancy which results in more candidates applying, higher calibre and that way the game will continue to grow.
Who is your target audience? What types of roles/industries do you focus on?
Any job listed by a cricket club, union, organisation, or federation will be on our site. Coach to chef to accountant to CEO, we will have it all.
We then run a players and coaches agency representing athletes and coaches to find roles around the world. Starting off with club gigs, franchise gigs and then finishing off in full time roles.
What goals do you have for Cricket Jobs in the future?
Certainly, being able to help as many people as I can. It is crazy to think of who I chat to on the phone. People I used to look up to and aspire to be when I was younger. Now being able to help them seek employment is an amazing feeling.
By doing above, to be able to control my time. I have a few big years ahead of me while chasing the dream of trying to make the Ireland national team. Cricket Jobs does not take forty hours a week to run. It takes ten to fifteen and if I could get to that situation where I am fully dependant on Cricket Jobs, then I can train as much as possible to leave no regrets in ten years' time.
Helping as many people as possible while managing my time schedule to allow the best of both worlds of business and trying to be an international cricketer.
I'd like to thank Jared for taking his time to respond to the questions and wish him success with Cliftonville and the North West Warriors in the 2024 season.
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