Kent Cricket sets up for the Future

A single body for the delivery of all cricket has been formed in Kent. It will see Kent as the first county to have a single body for the development of all cricket from grassroots to elite level.

In setting this up, the Kent Cricket Board has become part of Kent Cricket following an organisational restructure.

Kent Cricket CEO Jamie Clifford said: “I am delighted that we have brought the game together under a common strategy.

"We need to deliver an increase in participation, an improved cricketing infrastructure, more efficient talent identification and development and an increase in attendance at Kent matches.

"This change of approach will allow us to accelerate the pace with which those aspirations can be achieved.”

A new-look Community Cricket Department will be headed by Community Cricket Director Andy Griffiths with Heidi Coleman leading cricket support programmes. They will work to a single strategy for the development of the game in the county.

In addition, a team of five development officers oversee all grassroots cricket for children, adults and players with disabilities to increase participation and support players, coaches, groundsmen, volunteers, umpires and scorers at all levels.

Meanwhile, a single talent pathway for boys and girls will see High Performance Manager Jason Weaver work alongside High Performance Director Simon Willis in bringing through Kent’s emerging cricketing talent.

Clifford continued, “The game currently faces some major challenges. We have heard in recent weeks about the dramatic drop in participation across the country.

"We have a responsibility to act fast in the face of this threat to protect the game we love. Joining the professional and recreational aspects of the game should leave us well placed to do that in Kent.”

ECB Chief Operating Officer Gordon Hollins said: “ECB warmly welcomes Kent’s decision to develop one organisation to oversee professional and recreational cricket in the county.

"This will enable all aspects of the game in Kent to be delivered under a single umbrella and play an important role in encouraging more people to play, attend or follow ournational summer sport.”