Kent Cricket Women’s Team receives County Championship trophy at Buckingham Palace

The victorious Kent CricketWomen’sTeam was presented with the Lady Taverners ECB trophy in a reception at Buckingham Palace today.

Kent players were invited to the reception with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the Blue Drawing Room in a joint ceremony with men’s champions Yorkshire.

Head coach Stuart Endicott said: “I am very proud to work with such a talented and committed group of players and occasions like this are the reward for the dedication the squad has shown.

“After our joint club awards last month, it is fantastic to be recognised on the same platform as the men’s game.

“We will not rest on our laurels as we hope to continue to progress and grow the women’s game from grassroots in the county.”

The squad enjoyed an audience with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Lord’s Taverners Chairman Roger Smith and Chief Executive Paul Robin before champagne and afternoon tea in the Music Room.

The Duke, who has been patron and ‘Twelfth Man’ of the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity since 1950.

Tammy Beaumont lifted the trophy as acting captain as skipper Charlotte Edwards is away playing in Australia.

The squad enjoyed a successful summer: signing their first sponsorship deal with Canterbury Christ Church University last year, before winning the Royal London Women's One-Day Cup and finishing as runners-up in the national T20 tournament.

Five members of the Kent squad (Edwards, Beaumont, Lydia Greenway, Laura Marsh and Natasha Farrant) were selected in the Performance Squad before a winter tour to New Zealand in February.

High Performance Manager Jason Weaver says it is fantastic recognition for the women’s game.

“Kent Cricket has played a central role in the development of the women’s game regionally, nationally and internationally.

“To have five players in the England squad and another two involved in the Under-15 Development Programme is testament to the hard work of coaches in our system.”