Cricket: Summer of 2007 now a memory.

With the New Year fast approaching Glamorgan cricket supporters will be forgiven for wishing to consign 2007 to the darkest depths of the memory bank, writes Mark Wallace.

Two wins in all competitions -- one Championship and one Twenty20 - was a poor return regardless of how fate and lady luck may have sometimes transpired against us.

On the injury front the loss of David Harrison for the season was a major blow, as was Simon Jones' continued struggle for fitnes which left captain David Hemp often limited for options.

Of course Michael Powell's alarming situation with his illness complications in June was the most significant of the casualties, and his plight - spending an anxious week in intensive care after developing a blood clot in his arm - kept the game in perspective for all involved, no matter how difficult things became.

Mike is now thankfully back to full health and though he will have to be wary of over- exertion of his injured arm for a while yet, is taking a complete part in winter training.

As always you can find Glamorgan's cricketers doing a variety of extra curricular activities during the lengthy off season. You can only do so much physical and technical training at this time of year so there is more than sufficient opportunity to pursue avenues away from the game.

The idea of utilising this time to develop yourself off the field is one which is championed by our own players union, the Professional Cricketers Association.

Cricket leads the way in trying to ensure its players are equipped to deal with life after sport, and employs full-time athlete advisers to assist you in exploring your options.

David Harrison and I have chosen to go down the educational route and are studying for degrees, while others have chosen to enter the workplace in different guises. Richard Grant is selling cars in Neath, Ryan Watkins is a trainee with safety firm Crownford, and new signing Adam Shantry acts as a salesman for Cadburys.

Opening batsman Gareth Rees has been putting his first class honours degree to good use in the financial sector, taking up a position with Clydesdale Bank.

Mike Powell has taken up a post on Cardiff Blues winger Rhys Williams' testimonial committee.

Huw Waters and James Harris will be sampling sunnier climes in Australia and India respectively.