Extra Cover – The December 2010 newsletter

Despite heavy snow falling all around us, there is still plenty going on at Kent County Cricket Club. Fortunately Canterbury hasn“t been overly affected, so far, so work is continuing on the redevelopment project at a fast pace. You can read about that, and all the other stories making the news, in this latest issue of Extra Cover.

Get your Christmas goodies from Kent Cricket
The Kent Cricket Club Shop and Equipment Store will be open for late night shopping next Tuesday (7 December) and then again on the 14 and 21 of the month. Members and supporters can come along to the St Lawrence Ground and take advantage of some exclusive offers, which will only be available on those specific nights. The shops will be open between 11am and 8pm on each of those three days. There are many offers to whet the appetite including our Clydesdale Bank 40 shirt; reduced from £45 to just £30. You can also purchase a Kent Cricket Storm Jacket for only £25, rather than the usual price of £45, and fleece jackets have been reduced from £50 to just £30. All goods are offered on a first come, first served basis and are selling quickly. Call in to the St Lawrence Ground to see the full range of special offers.

Less than a month to snap up your Early Bird special!
A reminder that you have less than a month to snap up your Early Bird membership and ticketing special prices. Until the end of the year, all packages are at our Early Bird price, after 1 January all go up 10% to their 2011 normal rate. (discounted by 10%). Packages are available to purchase by post, over the phone and in person. Unfortunately we cannot currently process memberships online as we are still awaiting key processing details from our bank. If you have any queries then please call the main club office on 01227 456886, option 0, or call in at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury. You can read more by clicking here.

Redevelopment project progressing nicely
Despite the recent spate of poor weather, work is continuing at a fast pace on the redevelopment project. There are visible signs of change to the Annex, Pavilion, and Dressing Rooms. In addition, some major landscaping work has changed the look of the Nackington entrance. Read more online.

Stevens extends his Kent contract
The club is pleased to announce that Player of the Year Darren Stevens, 34, has signed a new extended contract. The all-rounder, who represented the England Lions last summer, has penned a deal running until the end of the 2012 season. You can read the reasons why Darren put pen-to-paper here.

Kent all-rounder blogs from Australia
Kent and England all-rounder James Tredwell is keeping members and supporters fully up-to-speed with his progress in Australia. Tredwell is a part of the England Performance Party. You can read his first blog in full by clicking here.

Fancy being coached by the Kent stars this winter?
Aspiring young Kent members and supporters get the opportunity to learn from the professionals this winter, at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury. Club wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and former spin bowler Rob Ferley are putting on three days of coaching at the indoor cricket academy. More information is available by following this link.

Two Kent youngsters named in England U19 squad
Kent all-rounder Adam Ball and batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond have been named in the England U19 squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, beginning on 7 January. The whole story is available by clicking here.

Three Kent women named in England Ashes squad
The England women“s selectors have named a 15-player squad for the tour of Australia in January, which includes three Kent players. Charlotte Edwards will skipper the side with Lydia Greenway and Susie Rowe also included in the party. You can find out more on this story by clicking here.

Kent player named in England Deaf Squad for Ashes Series
Kent“s Stefan Pichowski has been named in the England Deaf squad, for the forthcoming tour of Australia in January 2011. You can read more on this story by clicking on the following link.

Members“ information night proves a great success
Thirty Five Members attended the Membership & Ticket Package information night at St Lawrence Ground, last Thursday (25 November). Those present were given a full presentation by CEO Jamie Clifford and Commercial Director Pat Mellsop on the background to, and development of, the 2011 membership & ticket packages, car parking and communications plans for the future. The whole story is available here.

Join the Kent Cricket Lottery and win big prizes!
As part of a drive to generate more funds for youth and junior cricket, the club has launched its own lottery. The newly launched Kent Cricket Lottery is looking to raise revenue to support the work of both the Kent Cricket Board“s programmes and the club“s own academy. You’ll have chances to win weekly cash and amazing prizes. For more details, and to join, please go to www.kentcricketlottery.co.uk.

The Deeson Group becomes key partner
Canterbury-based marketing and online company, the Deeson Group have signed a three year sponsorship deal to develop the club“s communications. They have signed up as a key commercial partner and will provide marketing communications and member recruitment campaigns, over the next three years. Work to date includes a brand refresh – website and digital marketing, social media presence and new look membership recruitment materials.

New website on the way next year
The club is currently working hard on the design and implementation of a new and improved website. It had been hoped that things would be completed by the end of the year but, in order to get everything right, the new website will now be launched in the New Year.

Ashes Dinner proves a total success
A capacity crowd joined us for last month“s Ashes Dinner at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury. 135 guests enjoyed hearing the thoughts of Rob Key, Derek Underwood and Geraint Jones as they relived some of the funny stories from their battles against the Aussies. After a sell-out at both the 1970s dinner and the Ashes night, the club has decided to host similar events in the coming months. Details will be announced as and when at www.kentcricket.co.uk.

Festive season opening hours
A quick reminder that the club office closes for Christmas at 5pm on Thursday, 23 December. We will open again in the New Year on Tuesday, 4 January 2011.

Have we got your details?
If you don“t currently receive regular mailings from the club, but would like to, please email communications.kent@ecb.co.uk and we will add you to our e-distribution list. There are lots of things to look forward to including our bricks promotion and legends walkway.

Be a part of the exciting times ahead at Kent Cricket and support your club in the process! Please continue to show your support and keep visiting the club“s website for all the news as it happens.

Picture: Sarah Ansell