Bexley and Kent academy cricketer Ollie Robinson has been awarded a bursary from the Kent County Playing Fields Association.

Robinson, 15, who plays for Bexley Cricket Club and attends Hurtsmere School, will receive £200 from the Ivy Hawkes Bursary to help with his cricketing education.

The award, which has previously been won by Great Britain and England hockey player Ross Gilham-Jones, intends to provide financial assistance for young sportsmen and women across Kent.

The wicketkeeper–batsman said: “I'm extremely proud to have been awarded a bursary from the Kent County Playing Fields Association.

“Receiving this funding has enabled me to purchase some new equipment.

“I am training and working really hard, using my equipment on a regular basis.

“Without funding from associations like this it would be difficult to replace equipment as often as needed so it is an important contribution to my cricketing education.”

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of a growing pool of homegrown talent, including the likes of Adam Riley and Sam Billings, Robinson impressed coaches with consistent county performances and a successful club campaign to earn a call-up to the academy last year.

The gloveman was named Sidcup Cricket Club’s player’s player of the year in 2014 after scoring almost 1,000 runs at an average of 35 and claiming 24 catches and 12 stumpings.

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