KCB reveals coaching investment
Kent Cricket Board has announced that £500,000 will be invested into coaching in schools across the county as part of the ‘Chance to shine’ programme run by the Cricket Foundation and supported by the ECB and Brit Insurance.
Primary and secondary schools across Kent will benefit from the funding, which will enable the KCB to deliver high quality spring and summer term coaching, in addition to competition programmes.
Clair Gould, director of operations at the KCB, said: “Our involvement in Chance to shine has been fantastic so far. We have seen an increase in the number of young players attending our clubs as a direct result of our coaching in schools.
“It has also helped to increase the profile of our clubs and we will continue to forge stronger links with more local schools.
“With this additional support from the Cricket Foundation, plans are in place for an expanded programme to cover the next four years.”
Steve Peyman, operations director at the Cricket Foundation, which raises funds and delivers 'Chance to shine' through the 39 county boards, said “Our clubs are the backbone of Chance to shine and are critical to the success of the programme.
“The county boards help to co-ordinate the delivery of high quality coaching and competitions to schools and, as a result, over 39,509 children have joined local clubs from schools since Chance to shine launched in 2005.”
England international and Chance to shine ambassador Lydia Greenway said: “I went to a state school which didn’t play cricket but was lucky enough to be given the chance to play because of my dad. But there are literally millions of youngsters out there who will never be given the opportunity and that is sad.
“What Chance to shine has done is fantastic. The main aim is just to get more people playing from an early age and encourage them to play the game at whatever level they are comfortable with.”
