Kent Cricket mainly deliver in the Primary School network due to the strategic aims of Chance to Shine. However, in recent years, we have engaged further with the Secondary School network, specifically around the growth in girls’ cricket. This has been alongside an increase in funding from the ECB in this space, namely through the ‘Proof of Concept’ programme which has allowed coaching delivery to happen and competition frameworks to develop.
Kent Cricket are very keen to engage even more students to cricket in schools where previously they may not have had the opportunity or resources. There are some existing resources available on the Chance to Shine Portal for Key Stage 3 sessions. This platform can be used or adapted to introduce softball cricket in your secondary school as a starting point.
For girls only, there are a number of opportunities to enter either indoor or outdoor competitions throughout the year. We run five different competitions for the U13 (Year 7/8) and U15 (Year 9/10) age groups, with a mix of ‘State School Only’ or ‘Open to All’ formats, some leading to Regional and National Rounds. See below for further detail.
Programmes for Secondary School Girls
Indoor Cricket
Chance to Compete Indoor
This is for STATE Secondary Schools ONLY and is an introduction to indoor softball cricket. The competition is ideal for beginners and for schools new to the sport, who are looking for some competitive, yet still developmental, cricket.
The competition is open to two age groups, U13’s (Year 7/8) and U15’s (Year 9/10), split into an East and West Cluster and culminating in a County Finals Day at the home of Kent Cricket, The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury. Trophies and medals are on offer!
Indoor Eights
OPEN TO ALL secondary schools and formally known as the ‘Lady Taverners’, this is an ECB national indoor girls’ cricket competition that we call the ‘Indoor Eights’ in Kent. It is a more competitive format, often frequented by our more experienced cricketing players and schools.
The competition is open to two age groups, U13’s (Year 7/8) and U15’s (Year 9/10), split into an East and West Cluster and culminating in a County Finals Day at the home of Kent Cricket, The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury. Trophies and medals are on offer!
The County winner then progresses to the Regional Final, with the opportunity to then represent Kent at the National Finals. Kent have had great success in this competition in the past, Kent College (2018) and Ashford School (2022)
Outdoor Cricket
Chance to Compete
This is for STATE Secondary Schools ONLY and is an introduction to outdoor softball cricket. The competition is ideal for beginners and for schools new to the sport, who are looking for some competitive, yet still developmental, cricket.
The competition is open to two age groups, U13’s (Year 7/8) and U15’s (Year 9/10), split into an East and West Cluster and culminating in a County Finals Day with trophies and medals on offer!
The County winner then progresses to the Regional Final, with the opportunity to then represent Kent at the National Finals. Kent have had great success in this competition in the past, Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls (2016) and Simon Langton School for Girls (2023)
Outdoor Eights
OPEN TO ALL secondary schools, this is a Kent run, competitive outdoor softball cricket competition, often frequented by our more experienced cricketing players and schools.
The competition is open to two age groups, U13’s (Year 7/8) and U15’s (Year 9/10), split into an East and West Cluster and culminating in a County Finals Day.
Hardball Eights
OPEN TO ALL secondary schools, this is a Kent run, competitive outdoor hardball competition, often frequented by our more experienced cricketing players and schools.
The competition is open to two age groups, U13’s (Year 7/8) and U15’s (Year 9/10), split into an East and West Cluster and culminating in a County Finals Day.
Proof of Concept
Proof of Concept is an ECB programme that was introduced in 2022. The funding to counties was guaranteed for two years, with the purpose to introduce cricket to more secondary school girls in state schools, who may not have played or had access to the sport.
In Kent, this funding has been utilised by both Kent Cricket, club coaches and private coaching companies to deliver taster sessions to multiple schools and girls, covering batting, bowling and fielding skills in the softball cricket format. It has helped to grow and support links with secondary schools and the cricket club(s) in their area.
If you have any interest in accessing this funding, either as a teacher, club coach or cricket coach, please get in touch with Helen Fagg-Lenihan who can explain the eligibility for the funding.
Mixed & Boys
Schools are encouraged firstly to suggest to talented boy and girl cricketers, to join their local cricket club. The next step would be for the player to trial for their local Area Squad which is the first step onto the Talent Pathway. This could then lead to County Squad representation and beyond to professional cricketing opportunities.
Click here for information and contact details for the Kent Cricket Area Programme (Mixed)
Click here for information and contact details for the Kent Cricket Girls’ Area Programme.
Our predominant teacher CPD opportunities occur in primary school settings, as our Community Coaches deliver the Chance to Shine Programme, however there are some further opportunities open to all teachers, both primary and secondary.
PRIMARY SCHOOL CPD
Kent Cricket run an annual course, aimed at developing teacher’s confidence and ability to deliver fun, active and purposeful cricket lessons, but with a variety of skills that can be utilised throughout the PE curriculum. Click here to read about the 2023 free course we ran for teachers.
2024 Course in April TBC – Contact Matthew Fagg to express interest
SECONDARY SCHOOL CPD
Kent Cricket are looking to run a new secondary school for 2024 to support schools starting out or looking to grow cricket in a softball cricket format.
2024 Course in April TBC – Contact Helen Fagg-Lenihan to express interest