Peter Moralee steps down after 25 years service to Kentish cricket

Players, parents, coaches and volunteers gathered for the Ashford District Cricket Awards last week.

The event was hosted by Ashford Prep School who supports the Ashford District by giving full access to the indoor cricket facility for indoor training.

Peter Moralee, District Development Officer (DDO) for more than 25 years opened the evening by setting the scene and introducing guest speakers Richard Yates, Head of the Prep School; Neil Cufley, Director of Operations, Ashford councillor Michael Claughton and Andy Griffiths, Kent Cricket Community Director.

Commenting on the venue, Andy Griffiths said: “The partnership with Ashford Prep School is unique in that they offer a fantastic rate of hire as their sponsorship support for local grass roots cricket. It is vital when developing cricketers, that we can access facilities like this one which is exceptional."

Peter Moralee followed the guest speakers, presenting awards to the u10, u12 and u14 age groups. His last announcement was that he was stepping down from his role as DDO.

There were tributes paid to the work that he and his long time friends Micky Bowden (who also announced he was taking a break) and Ian Plant had put in over the years. Peter and Micky were then presented with gifts that the players and parents had sourced for them both.

Although Peter will not be directly involved with Kent Cricket, he is not retiring. He will continue working with Ashford School, coaching players and nominating quality individuals through to Kent's Area Cricket Programme in future years.

Andy Griffiths said: “After hearing of Peter's wish to step down, I did a little digging into his past. Peter has given his life to the development of cricket in this country, not just Kent.

"Peter himself played County Cricket for Kent in the 1960s. He has given more than 25 years of his life to cricket in Kent and for that we are forever grateful.

"His daughter Marie played over 50 matches Kent Women and represented England playing three ODIs.

"During the same era, Peter was assistant coach for the England Women’s team when Charlotte Edwards made her first appearance – now Kent and England Womens Captain.

"She is the most successful England Captain in the history of the game and has made over 200 appearances.

Charlotte Edwards sent Peter a personal message: "Thank you for everything you have done for the Womens game and more importantly for cricket in Kent across all ages.

"We had some good times at England and we could have written a book on our 1999 trip to India! All the best and hope to see you in the future!’”

It was in the late 1990s when Bill Dover of the Association of Kent Cricket Clubs created the District Development Officer role across the County.

Peter was appointed DDO for Ashford and has served this role ever since working with clubs, schools, volunteers and partners to increase participation and ultimately producing some fine Kent Young Cricketers along the way.

Players nurtured under Peter Moralee's time in Ashford include:

•Mark Ealham– who played 750 games for Kent and Notts as well as 8 Tests and 64 ODIs for England

•Nigel Llong– who played over 200 games for Kent and Norfolk and is on the Elite panel of ICC Umpires to officiate in Test matches and ODIs around the world

•Tim Wren– who played for Kent in the 90s

•Dan Stickels– Kent age groups and Second XI as well as Premier League Cricket and Paul Putland Kent age groups and Premier League Cricket both of whom are coaching in the current set up in Ashford

Everyone at Kent Cricket would like wish Peter all the best for the future.