'One Kent' set-up to be introduced next season

Kent today announced a new coaching structure for next season, with a three-man team to work with all ages at the club, down from the first team to the Under-10s.

Paul Farbrace, the former Kent and Middlesex wicketkeeper, will join Simon Willis and Chris Stone on the coaching team for 2004. Farbrace will take over Willis's current role as academy director on January 1, 2004, while Willis becomes coaching co-ordinator with responsibility for the senior team and coaching programmes. Chris Stone will continue in his current role as youth director.

"Following Ian Brayshaw's departure at the end of September 2003 we have spent time considering the best possible coaching structure for the club," Mike Denness, Kent's chairman, said. "We have settled on an all Kent team having had a run of successful Australian coaches in recent years. The structure we have evolved is new. Simon, Paul and Chris will all be involved in the coaching of our top players, our academy youngsters and our youth teams at different times during the year.

"This way we believe we can get the very best out of our players while, at the same time, developing the very best talent from within. The coaching team will be supported by physiotherapists, Martyn Sigley and Nimmo Reid, and additional, specialist coaches will be brought in over the year as required."

David Fulton, the captain, also gave his approval:"I am very excited about working with three home-grown coaches, all of whom have Kent in their blood. We have already begun discussing our prospects for next season and the talent we have available. It will be invaluable to have all three coaches accessible to us throughout the entire year and I know that the players are going to respond positively to this innovative initiative."

Jamie Clifford, the director of cricket development, commented that the "`One Kent' philosophy is exciting and a coaching team that works with all levels from the first team to the Under-10s is a powerful structure." He added: "Kent is special, Kent cricket is special: and this new coaching team have it in their blood."