With wickets and runs in his opening First-Class appearances, all-rounder Joey Evison has made an immediate impression on the field.

And the teenager has plenty to celebrate away from the game, after joining thousands of students in receiving exam results today.

In a unique, exam-free year for all, Evison’s circumstances have been more unusual than most.

The twin demands of a career as a professional cricketer and international assignments with England placed pressures on the 18-year-old’s time.

Having achieved a double distinction for his BTEC in Sports Science, Evison seems to have met the challenge with ease.

“It’s been a different challenge balancing academic studies with my cricket, but I’ve had a lot of support in getting through it and making sure I haven’t fallen behind on the academic side of things,” Evison told the PCA.

“Dean Headley (Evison’s Director of Cricket at Stamford School) has been a massive influence on my school life.

“It’s a tough choice, but I’d say that appearing at the U19 World Cup was more nerve-wracking than getting my results.”

“I can go and speak to him about more than just cricket, whether it’s to do with school or needing general advice and guidance.

“I don’t know what I want to do after my cricket career at the moment, but if all goes well and I do have a successful career in the game, I’d like to go back into school and coach.

“I think coaching is where I want to go after my career, so I can stay inside the game for as long as I can."

Evison, who is currently working towards a Diploma in Sporting Excellence qualification with the ECB, admits it is hard to split the experiences of playing for England and waiting for exam results when it comes to the nervousness they cause.

“It’s a tough choice, but I’d say that appearing at the U19 World Cup was more nerve-wracking than getting my results,” he said.

“Playing for England was a great honour and privilege, and it’s something that hopefully I’ll continue to do in the coming years.”

The PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP) is a player-centred programme that supports players through key transitions in their lives, facilitates learning and personal development, helps players to maximise their potential as cricketers and prepares them for life after cricket.

As part of the programme, the Association actively encourages young cricketers to maintain some level of study outside of the game.

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