KENT COLLEGE AND KENT COUNTY CRICKET PARTNERSHIP
At Kent College, cricket is more than just a sport—it's a passion. Our long-standing collaboration with Kent Cricket reflects our commitment to promoting the game and developing young cricketers across the county. Through various initiatives, we aim to nurture talent, foster inclusivity, and inspire the next generation of players.
KENT CRICKET REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY (KDRP)
Kent College proudly hosts the Kent Cricket Regional Development Pathway (KDRP) at its senior school site, providing access to our Sports Hall, cricket nets, and fields for Kent County Cricket training sessions. This program supports young players from U11 to U15, preparing them before they enter the full County Age Group (CAG) system. It serves as a crucial stepping stone for boys and girls aspiring to progress in county-level cricket.
KDRP is led by Kent College’s own Director of Cricket, Darren Scott—an ECB Level 3 coach and former professional cricketer. Under his expert guidance, young players receive high-quality coaching, ensuring their development is built on strong technical foundations and a deep understanding of the game.
JUNIOR CRICKET FESTIVAL AT THE SPITFIRE GROUND
Each year, Kent College sponsors the Junior Cricket Festival at the Spitfire Ground—an exciting event that brings together local junior school teams for a day of training and competition. Young players receive coaching from Kent County Cricket players, Kent College staff, and Sixth Form students, giving them valuable exposure to professional-level guidance and the chance to experience playing at the iconic Spitfire Ground.
CRICKET MASTERCLASSES
Kent County Cricket players regularly lead a variety of cricket masterclasses at Kent College, catering to different levels of play. Some masterclasses are exclusively open to Kent College students, focusing on high-performance aspects of the game and delivered by current professional cricketers. These sessions provide advanced technical insights and training tailored for players looking to refine their skills at the highest level.
Additionally, our outreach masterclasses, supported by Kent CCC, are free of charge and open to young cricketers in the local area. These sessions offer children the opportunity to experience the high-quality cricket provision available at Kent College, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity within the sport.
Over the past two years, we have been fortunate to have sessions delivered by several professional cricketers, including Zac Crawley, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Jack Leaning, and Matthew Parkinson. Their expertise and experience have provided invaluable guidance to young players, further enriching the cricket opportunities available at Kent College.
WOMENS CRICKET
Kent College is proud to play a key role in the development of women’s cricket in Kent. We host the U13 and U15 girls’ KDRP sessions at our facilities, ensuring aspiring female cricketers have the opportunity to train and develop their skills. Our Head of Girls’ Cricket, Chris Green—an ECB Level 3 coach—works within the Kent CCC women's pathway, bringing invaluable knowledge and experience to our cricket programme.
In addition to youth development, Kent College serves as a training venue for the senior Kent Women’s team. Our Director of Cricket, Darren Scott, also plays a pivotal role in the women's game as an assistant coach for the senior squad. This strong connection with women’s cricket reinforces our commitment to fostering talent and providing equal opportunities for players at every level.
We are especially proud to have the Women's Kent Cricket Captain, Megan Belt, as a dedicated teacher at our school. She serves as an outstanding role model, encouraging young girls to pursue sports with confidence and enthusiasm.
"I want to continue Captaining at Kent Cricket, especially with the potential of us going professional, and continue working at the Junior School because I love it" - Megan Belt, Women's Kent Cricket Captain
MCC HUB
We are very proud to host the MCC Foundation Hub programme at Kent College, providing free coaching and matches for state school students aged U14 and U16. This initiative is open to both boys and girls, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in cricket development. The programme is spearheaded by our Director of Sport, Linden Lockhart, an ECB Level 3 coach whose expertise helps shape the training experience for young players.
The MCC Hub programme includes a trial period at the end of November, followed by a winter squad selection for 10 weeks of training. Players then participate in festival matches in the summer as part of a national competition. This invaluable opportunity allows young cricketers to experience high-quality coaching and competitive play, further strengthening grassroots cricket in the region.
KENT CRICKET PATHWAY
Kent College has a strong track record of producing outstanding cricketers. Over the past five years, we have seen two full-time professional players emerge from our programme—Alexa Stonehouse and Tilly Corteen-Coleman. Tilly made history as the youngest-ever player in The Hundred competition, and both have gone on to represent England U19s. Alexa has recently earned selection for the senior England squad, marking a major milestone in her career.
Oliver Curtiss, a member of the Kent CCC Academy, made his 2nd XI debut while still in Year 11, demonstrating the calibre of talent nurtured at Kent College. Current Year 10 student Evan N’da Koffi has also been placed on the Kent Academy and represents Kent CCC U18s as an U15 player, highlighting the rapid progression of young athletes within our system.
Across the school, around 30 players are involved in the county pathway system, all of whom are supported through our extensive sports scholarship programme. From a team perspective, we regularly contest county finals, securing victory in the U14 Oliver Cup last year, which placed us in the prestigious ESCA national competition. The strength of the cricket programme at Kent College allows aspiring cricketers to pair outstanding support with an excellent education, giving them the best possible chance to enter the professional environment.
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