Ben Kemp - Senior Academician!

Date: Thursday 17 December 2009

Ben Kemp, Watson House Lower Sixth, has just spent his Michaelmas Term shoring up the centre of the defence for the very successful football 1st XI, and winning his colours after his second season in the 'eleven'.

His future, however, may well lie on the cricket field, as I have just been contacted by Philip Relf, the Academy Director for the Kent County Cricket Club, who writes, 'Ben is one of our most talented young players and we are delighted that he has committed himself to our Academy programme'. That programme begins on January 4th 2010, and runs through to March, and may well involve some sessions on a Wednesday afternoon.

The coaching team is headed by Philip Relf, but also includes names well known to the cricketing cognoscenti - Geoff Arnold, Simon Cook, Paul Farbrace, and Darren Scott, are just some of them.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Ben, who will be better prepared than ever for the start of the School season in April. After his sterling efforts of last season, top wicket taker with an average of fewer than ten runs per wicket, and with several 'four- fors' despite the restrictions of limited overs cricket, this is a well-deserved recognition for a highly talented sportsman.

Good luck, Ben! Enjoy every minute of what looks to be a demanding pre-season programme, and come back with ideas to share with the other bowlers in the St Edmund's squad!