KENT Cricket Board has confirmed £170,000 will be made available to promote the sport in secondary schools across the county.

The additional cash comes on top of the £0.5m investment into primary schools up to 2015.

Clubs will be set up within identified schools, particularly aiming at young people within the 11 to 16 age group.

The objective of the project is to encourage young people to engage in club cricket within a familiar environment, such as their school, as often a step from school sport, to club participation, can be a daunting prospect.

Within the club, young people will have the opportunity to participate in competitive cricket, develop their cricket knowledge and socialise with their peers, creating a club ethos.

It is hoped this initiative will increase the retention of young people in sport and provide a robust, cohesive link between schools and club cricket.

Participants will also have the opportunity to gain leadership and organisational skills with vital life skills.

Kent Cricket Board development manager Andy Griffiths said: “Our involvement in Chance to Shine has been fantastic so far.

“We have seen an increase in the number of young players attending Kent clubs as a direct result of Kent Cricket Board coaching in schools.

“However, at an older age there is a drop off within sport.

“This additional investment into secondary schools will help to address this issue.

“We aim to increase the number of young people joining clubs, to increase competitive cricket opportunities in schools and have more people gaining new knowledge and skills through cricket.”

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