Kent Cricket Academy Awards 2013

This week awards were presented to members of the talented Kent Cricket Under 17 Performance Squad during the Kent v Essex LV= County Championship match at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Yorkshire Bank Under 17 County Cup

The Kent Cricket U17 Performance squad have had a fantastic season, winning the Yorkshire Bank U17 county cup. They were also runners up in the championship competition.

The leading run scorer was Ryan Davies, the leading wicket taker was Hugh Bernard, and the fielding Award went to Rob Sehmi .

The Yorkshire Bank County Cup was presented to those players who were able to attend this week by Kent Cricket President, Bob Bevan and they then paraded it around the ground.

We would also like to congratulate a number of the Kent Cricket Performance squads, including the Women’s team who are Twenty 20 county champions after a fantastic win last weekend, and also the U15 performance squad, who made it through to the finals of the one day national competition. All in all a fantastic season for our young Kent cricketers.

Colin Page Scholarship

The Colin Page Scholarship is presented in memory of former Kent player and coach, Colin Page. Colin coached many cricketers over the years, but his love for developing young home grown talent saw him spend many hours during the winter months in the Indoor Schools at both Canterbury and Sevenoaks.

This year’s recipient Hugh Bernard from Folkestone Cricket Club was presented with a cheque for £250 by Kent County Cricket Club President, Bob Bevan. He receives this year’s scholarship having been identified by the Kent U17 Performance Squad Coaches as an individual who has shown a great attitude and commitment towards his cricket during the winter training and summer match programme.

John Aitken Gray Trophy – Best Academy Scholar

Kent County Cricket Club was delighted to welcome Myrna Gray back to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence Ground this week. Myrna presented the annual Academy scholarship of £500 and the trophy in memory of her late husband John Aitken Gray. We are extremely grateful to Myrna for her continued support of our young scholars and it is always a pleasure to welcome her at Canterbury.

This year’s recipient is Ryan Davies, who plays his club cricket for Sandwich Town Cricket Club and attends Sandwich Technology School. Ryan is a right handed batsman/wicketkeeper who has represented the England Development Programme U17’s, Kent County Cricket Club 2nd XI, London and East U17 Regional team and the successful Kent U17 Performance Squad this summer.

Previous recipients of this award include Daniel Bell-Drummond, Adam Ball and Alex Blake.

High Performance Director, Simon Willis commented on the award; “Ryan has had an outstanding season scoring runs at all levels with a number of match winning performances. Along with his consistent wicket keeping performances, Ryan has made a significant contribution to the successful seasons of both Sandwich Town Cricket Club and Kent U17 Performance Squad. Ryan was the standout candidate to receive this award.”

Ryan Davies then commented; “It is an honour to receive this Award. Looking at the previous winners spurs me on, particularly looking at what many of them have achieved in the Kent Cricket 1^st team.

“This is the best way to top a great year – one of the best seasons. Thank you to Myrna – and I hope I can go on to make an impact at Kent.”

Myrna added; “This Award was started ten years ago as I wanted a memorial to my husband, a member of Kent County Cricket Club who spent many seasons here. The Award actually started when the Academy started, and I have kept a record book of all the winners.

“This really is a living memorial, not like a bench of a tree and I can follow the winner’s progress which is fascinating. I really enjoy meeting the family of the winner each year; they usually have a really keen interest in sport which is really nice to know. “

Honours boards for these awards with all previous recipients can be found in the Kent Cricket Academy.