Southern Water and Kent Cricket Board have teamed up to promote and develop Girls’ cricket across the county.

Kent Cricket Boards Women’s team supplies five England Women Cricket players currently including Captain Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway who is the Kent Lady Ambassador.

The Kent Women are 2011 T/20 Champions and County Champions. Kent Cricket Board is aiming to retain this level of impact on the female game and Southern Waters support will be instrumental in this.

The new partnership will mean that more young players will be introduced to the game with the aim of finding new talent that can be linked to clubs, promoted to county levels and the national team.

Lydia Greenway started her playing career in the junior teams and recognises the importance of good early coaching:

“I started playing young but there is so much more on offer now for girls to take part in Cricket, it is fantastic. I am currently providing Assemblies in schools, sharing my story and the opportunities cricket gives to everyone who gives it a go and how they can have fun with existing and new friends at their local Cricket Clubs.”

“I have also been encouraging schools to attract more Girls to play in school time and to create Girl teams to enter in primary and secondary schools cricket competitions that Kent Cricket Board offer. I would love to see Kent Women remain the dominant number in the England team and this is how we can continue to achieve this with great partnerships as Southern Water with Kent Cricket Board.”

Geoff Loader Director of Communications for Southern Water said “We are looking forward to helping Kent continue their success in the Women’s Game. Southern Water is committed to promoting sport at a grassroots level and helping as many youngsters as possible to get a chance to play cricket and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With the county now subject to drought restrictions, we are committed to helping cricket clubs do all they can to save water.”

The Sports Minister and Faversham MP Hugh Robertson, Olympic duties permitting, is launching the new cricket programme at Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club on Friday 20 April.

Mr Robertson will be enjoying a cup of tea and cake whilst watching Lydia Greenway, England and Kent Star player with Tash Newman, newly appointed Girls Cricket officer, in action, inspiring girl teams from local schools in a Girls Fit 4 Fun Class, which is currently being offered across the County’s schools by Kent Cricket Board.

Clair Gould, Director of Operations at Kent Cricket Board commented: “Schools have been surprised just how much Cricket achieves for their Physical Education needs. The positive response from children, the respect the sport generates the change in behaviour in the school environment.”

“The messages Cricket promotes give so much more than just a healthy activity. It is proving to be very successful, attracting more schools to enter competitions and Southern Water support for greater activity aimed at girls is attracting girls to local cricket clubs. We are delighted that the Sports Minister has agreed to join us for the launch. It sends a clear signal that Women’s sport is being supported at the very highest level.”