Some quotes after the event:

“A valuable and excellent day, full of interesting advice and training drills that I’ll be using in the future”

“Min and Geraint were fantastic…..a real eye opener”

“Having Nigel (Stockhill) take the morning warm up was quality … I feel like Freddie!”

Report from Alex Killick

“The annual coaches conference hosted at the academy on Sunday 16th November was a resounding success. Over 110 coaches attended sessions from Introducing Spin bowling to young people to a fully interactive batsman / bowler net with Min Patel and Geraint Jones.

On behalf of the KCB I’d like to say a huge thank you to all those involved in making the day smooth and enjoyable. Special thanks must be reserved for Paul Box Grainger, Min Patel, Geraint Jones, Nigel Stockhill, Jason Weaver, Richard O’Sullivan, James Medhurst and Phil Relf, all of whom delivered informative and fulfilling sessions.

A huge thank you must also go to Peter Carter, Peter Robinson, Paul Calcutt, Steve Holness, Heidi Coleman, Clair Gould and Andy Griffiths whose tireless organisation both on the day and beforehand was exceptional and hugely appreciated.

As an aside I’d like to thank Adam Ball, Matt Coles, Alan Eaton and the younger lads who also contributed throughout the day.

As a final thought I would like to tip my cap to the Coaches - they showed energy, insightful knowledge and a willingness to take part and learn which were the underpinning to this gratifying and successful day and I reserve my last big thank you for them.”

Some photos from the day

Unfortunately, and after careful consideration, the decision has been taken to cancel the Kent Young Cricketers Dinner for both the boys and girls squads. All who wanted to come have been written too and their payments returned.

The number of people wishing to attend the events has been very low. This may be a reflection of the current economic situation, and KCB does appreciate that the price for the dinner is not inconsiderable. The pricing and timing of the event will therefore be reviewed in the hope that in future we might offer an end of season celebration that works for everyone.

It is disappointing, but should not detract from what has been a most successful Kent Young Cricketers season.

Charlotte Edwards, the world governing body’s - the International Cricket Council - Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2008, is keen to see that girls are given every opportunity to play cricket at a young age.

The Kent and England captain says cricket is an amazing social team game and fun for girls because everyone gets a chance to get involved at batting, bowling and fielding.

That is why she is supporting Kent Cricket Board’s upcoming ‘try cricket’ session aimed at primary girls in Years 5 and 6.

Details of the free, three hour indoor cricket session are as follows:

Sunday 30th November 2008
1.00pm-4.00pm
The Sports Hall, Sutton Valence School
Sutton Valence, near Maidstone ME17 3HL

No previous cricket experience is necessary. You only need to bring PE clothing, tracksuit and indoor trainers. We will be able to provide all the equipment you need.

We will be playing indoor pairs cricket with a soft ball. Everyone will have an equal chance to bat, bowl and field.

So why not come along and have a go. Unless you try, you will never know how good cricket is - you could be good enough to play for Kent!

For an application form and further details of the day, email David Sear, Kent Under 11 Girls Coach /Manager, email is sear758@btinternet.com. For further information, call 01227 767376 or 07710 742439

Photo courtesy of Francis Squires

News of Winter Courses for all age groups has reached us.

Details can be found on the Maidstone District page of this website where you’ll find all the details you need to be able to contact them.

Following a review of the Awards for All England programme, changes are to be made to the small grants scheme’s existing format when it comes to an end in March 2009.

Currently Awards for All England is a joint Lottery grants programme supported by Arts Council England, Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England.

From 1 April 2009 each of the lottery distributors supporting the scheme will have their own small grants programmes up and running. Applications can still be made under the current arrangements until 31 March 2009.

The change will mean that each distributor can better address the needs of their applicants and the themes they support. Overall, across all the distributors, it is anticipated that new money available for small grants in 2009-10 will be comparable to money that was available to community groups through Awards for All in 2008-2009.

Full details, including a link to a thorough Question and Answer paper are available in the Funding section of this website.

Kent opener and former Kent Young Cricketer Joe Denly has been named ‘Most promising young cricketer of the year’ by The Cricket Society.

The talented 22-year-old beat off a whole host of rivals to claim the coveted prize and was awarded the honour by former Kent and England legend Derek Underwood, who was guest speaker at the event.

Earlier this season Denly was named in the PCA “team-of-the-year” and he clearly enjoyed the 2008 season from a personal perspective: “Things went well for me throughout the season and it was an honour to earn both awards. By earning these accolades, it shows that I must be doing something right. I am still only a young cricketer but I feel I’m steadily improving. 2008 went well for me – hopefully 2009 will be even better for both me personally and for Kent as a side.”

This is a list of all the Lord’s Taverner’s Equipment that has been sent to Clubs and Schools in Kent recently:

24th October 2008
KWIK CRICKET BAGS  - Westgate Primary School and Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School
GIRLS 15 to 18 KOOKABURRA BAG - Margate CC and The Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington

18th August 2008
YOUTH CRICKET BAGS (KOOKABURRA) - Higham & Mockbegger CC and Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
COLTS U13 CRICKET BAGS (FEARNLEY) - Betteshanger CWCC and Sherwood CC
KWIK CRICKET BAGS (READERS) - Monkton CEP School

25th June 2008
YOUTH CRICKET BAGS (KOOKABURRA) - Kemsing CC
COLTS U13 CRICKET BAGS (FEARNLEY) - Maplesden Noakes School
KWIK CRICKET BAGS (READERS) - St Francis Catholic Primary School and Kennington CC
GIRLS (15-18) BAG (KOOKABURRA) - St Lawrence & Highland Court CC

5th June 2008
YOUTH CRICKET BAGS (KOOKABURRA) - Sheppey CC
COLTS U13 CRICKET BAGS (FEARNLEY) - Cudham Wyse CC
KWIK CRICKET BAGS (READERS) - Monson Primary School

21st April 2008
Colts Under 13 Cricket bags (Fearnley) - The Abbey School, Faversham and Crofton School, Catford
Junior Under 11 Cricket bags (Gray Nicolls) - Hollingbourne CC
Kwik Cricket Bags (Readers) - Nonington CEP School and Blue Bell Hill CC, Walderslade

Great news for all beneficiaries – for details of how to access this scheme go the fundraising page.

There’s a lot of information on this site about Lord’s Taverners Equipment bags so why not see what they might be able to do for your Club.

If you’re still not sure about the scheme, contact your Community Cricket Manager at KCB.  If your Club is in the middle and east of the County you should email Clair Gould whilst for clubs in the west and in the Metropolitan area your contact is Andy Griffiths.

Bromley Common, like so many clubs, don’t have enough playing facilities and thus have to hire or lease grounds which are not the closest to their home ground.

However, in April the Club enlisted the help of the Community Cricket Manager for the West Kent and Metropolitan area Andy Griffiths who wrote a letter to Rookery Estates on behalf of Bromley Common CC urging them to think about selling or leasing some land adjacent to their current facility. After much negotiation between Rookery Estates and the club, a lease agreement was reached. Fantastic news for Bromley Common CC.

Work started a few weeks ago and a lot of progress has been made.

The starting point!

With just one more weekend’s work, on 25th & 26th October, the club should be set for the winter. It will then be a matter of members making sure that one person is available to roll the field each day the weather is good over the winter.

The working party over the weekend will be from 10am - 2pm both days as usual. Any help is much appreciated!

Progress to date

• The grass on the outfield has been cut back
• Old post stumps have been removed from the outfield
• The fence has been moved to expose the other half of the new square
• Top soil has been moved to the new field
• The square has been cut, scarified, rolled, top soiled & seeded
• Germination sheets have been laid on the square
• Uneven areas of the outfield have been filled with top soil
• The hedges around the new field have been cut back
• Contractors have been hired to erect new fences around the new field at minimal cost

What needs to be done before the Spring

• Uneven areas of the new outfield need to be filled with top soil
• Over the winter months, the new outfield & square need to be rolled regularly

What needs to be done in the Spring

• The new outfield and square need to be rolled & cut again
• Sightscreens need to be erected
• A pavilion hut & scoreboard need to be erected
• The boundary picket fence needs to be painted
• The clubhouse kit room & tool room need to be cleared to become temporary additional changing rooms

 Progress to date:

England players dominate the inaugural Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Women’s Rankings which were launched in Mumbai very recently.

Two of Kent’s Women are included in the list.  ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2008 Charlotte Edwards is in 5th place and Lydia Greenway is in 14th.

Claire Taylor, who was shortlisted for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2006, 2007 and 2008, heads the batting list that includes six England players in the top 20.

Meanwhile, second-placed seamer Isa Guha leads the parade of five England bowlers in the top 20.

England’s domination of the women’s rankings is also a reflection of their outstanding performance this summer in which they went unbeaten against West Indies, South Africa and India.

Taylor is one of the 13 female cricketers to have played 100 or more one-day internationals and is the only player above the 800 ratings points.

She said: “To be number one batsman in the world means a lot to me. It’s something that I’ve been aiming for since the World Cup in 2000, the point where I really thought I could have an impact on the game.

“However, it’s not the most important thing this year. There are personal battles to be fought against great rivals, a World Cup to contest and perhaps win, and an Ashes duel to finish off what promises to be an amazing 12 months.”

Other England batters in the top 20 include Sarah Taylor (fourth), Jenny Gunn (16th) and Caroline Atkins (17th).

Millwall Community Scheme is looking to recruit multi sports coaches for their various coaching programmes. These include schools based curriculum, breakfast, lunchtime and after schools sessions; specialist sport camps and residentials during holiday periods; and social inclusion activities during evenings and weekends.

They offer support for all coaches to enhance skills through a Continuous Professional Development programme and through working alongside other experienced Millwall coaches.

If you are interested then go along to the open evening to find out more about what they do and to receive all the information you need.  Full details can be found in the attached downloadable flyer.