INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE BEHIND GIRLS’ CRICKET IN KENT The Foundation delivered free club volunteer sessions to four cricket clubs offering women’s and girls’ cricket across the county during the summer, funded by Metrobank and in partnership with the ECB. The aim of the scheme is to facilitate nurturing, positive, experiences for girls, through progressive education for coaches and potential volunteers of girls’ club cricket. The development sessions, based around a variety of topics and the needs of the host club, were predominantly arranged to attract and support potential volunteers and coaches of girls’ club cricket, through a series of workshops and events. Catford & Cyphers CC (pictured) chose an Umpiring Junior Cricket Formats session. 14 15 GROW THE GAME OPEN TO ALL FORCE FOR GOOD PEOPLE IN CRICKET Volunteers are the people behind cricket and the bedrock of the grassroots game. From pitch preparation and safeguarding to club finances and inclusive initiatives, their dedication keeps cricket thriving and accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability. A SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS DAY Volunteers Day is Kent Cricket Foundation’s flagship event and a day dedicated to the people in cricket. We were once again thrilled to welcome over a hundred volunteers from cricket clubs across Kent to The St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury on Day 2 of the Rothesay County Championship match between Kent v Derbyshire in September. Guests from clubs across Kent, the Kent Leagues, the Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) and partner organisations joined the winners of the year’s awards, and their guests, in enjoying a day of hospitality at The St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury. Awards ceremonies took place on the day for the Kent Volunteer & Coach Awards, hosted by former Kent captain Dave Fulton. The winners were presented with their awards by Club Captain Daniel Bell-Drummond and Senior Men’s Player Joe Denly. A total of 15 Kent Cricket Volunteer and Coach Awards were presented including awards for Connecting Communities, Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket and Unsung Hero. Coaching awards recognised Young Coach of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Outstanding Services to Coaching. Each year, Volunteers’ Day brings together those from across the county who have made a meaningful impact on grassroots cricket in Kent. The day is a celebration of the passion, dedication, and energy that volunteers bring to the game year after year. As we strive to make cricket a game that includes everyone regardless of ability or background, it is the volunteers at each club who will actually bring this to life. KENT CRICKET VOLUNTEERS & COACH AWARDS 2025 WINNERS GAME CHANGER AWARD Sebastian Camp – Chestfield CC INSPIRED TO PLAY AWARD Chris Glazier – Maidstone Walking Cricket Hub YOUNG COACH OF THE YEAR Callum Noble – Broadstairs CC METRO BANK CHAMPION OF GIRLS’ CRICKET Anthony Staddon – Bexley CC GROUNDS PERSON OF THE YEAR Pete Smith – Whitstable Labour Club CC CRICKET INNOVATORS Surge Singh Birring – Dartford CC TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE Sibton Park Cricket Club RISING STAR AWARD Aqsa Kayani & Tayyab Kayani – Canterbury Street Cricket Club UNSUNG HERO AWARD Alison Hume, Christine Riley, Susan Mortlock, Lauren Hartshorn – The Mote CC COACH OF THE YEAR Gail Lohan – Catford & Cyphers Cricket Club GROWING THE GAME AWARD Richard Pleydell – North Kent Junior League & Farningham Cricket Club CONNECTING COMMUNITIES AWARD James Chamberlain (Street End Cricket Club) & Jeffrey Reene (Virtual Schools Kent) SAFE HANDS AWARD Jo Krayenbrink – Folkestone Cricket Club OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION - SERVICES TO COACHING Andrew Ball – Tonbridge Cricket Club LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD Pat Lippiatt – Dartford Cricket Club NEW SCORERS TRAINED 57 NEW COACHES TRAINED 251 £6,300 CLUB SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS TRAINED 69 NEW UMPIRES TRAINED 101 INSPIRING, TRAINING & REWARDING THE PEOPLE IN CRICKET VOLUNTEERS ATTENDED ACROSS 4 SESSIONS 64 COACH BURSARIES GRANTED
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