Metro Bank One Day Cup Community Day, Kent Cricket Foundation
Exciting events are coming up at Kent Cricket! Expect plenty of gripping cricket at the upcoming Metro Bank One Day Cup matches including:
Friday 24 July – 11am start
Kent vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Friday 31 July – 11am start
Kent vs Somerset
That’s not all - enjoy fun all-day activities for the whole family at the Metro Bank One Day Cup Community Day on Friday 31 July – featuring Canterbury panto legend Ben Roddy!
Amid all this summer sport, we caught up with two rising stars of Kent Cricket, Sydney Gorham and Jaydn Denly, to find out more about their cricketing journey.
Sydney Gorham, Kent Cricket
Spotlight on: Sydney Gorham
How did you get into cricket to start with?
My older brother was in the school cricket team and needed someone to bowl to in our garden. I kept beating him! So my family took me along to a county trial at Sidcup Cricket Club - I didn’t get in that time, but I’ve been in county cricket ever since. Funnily enough my brother now plays football – he’s a semi-professional in Faversham.
Did you play other sports?
I enjoyed football at school, but stopped when I was 13. I loved badminton and netball too – I played netball right up to my second year at uni, but I had to give that up because I just couldn’t fit everything in! I played cricket for South East Stars when I was at uni and then came to Kent Cricket.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Bermondsey and grew up in Sidcup. I came to live in Canterbury when I went to the University of Kent.
Do you visit Canterbury very often?
I love Canterbury, I had the best time here at uni and I’ve got lots of friends here. I love the High Street and the gorgeous river that runs right through the centre of the city.
What would you advise a young person who wants to get into cricket?
Throw yourself at it and have fun! Go with friends, make sure you enjoy it and don’t put pressure on yourself. Find somewhere that you can play in a relaxed environment. And go to the pub afterwards!
What’s it like to be part of women’s cricket?
Since I was 11, the change has been astronomical. Kent Cricket has done so well in pushing a womens’ squad alongside a mens’ squad. Much more money is spent on the womens’ development now and the game is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was.
Who were your heroes growing up?
Katherine Sciver-Brunt OBE - she was an amazing quick bowler. It was good to see women could do this as well. Having a female role model made it easier to imagine doing it yourself. I grew up with a lot of people who now play professionally, and I look up to them in terms of where I want to be.
What are your short and long term goals?
Short term, I want to open the bowling and take lots of wickets! I want to win the womens’ competition and boost team morale. In the longer term I would love to be a professional player. I’m currently doing a Masters in Sports Psychology at the University of Greenwich and it’s really fascinating.
Jaydn Denly, Kent Cricket
Spotlight on: Jaydn Denly
How did you get into cricket?
I started playing cricket in Whitstable. My family have always played down at Whitstable Cricket Club – my dad, my grandad, my uncle – always going to play at the nets. As I got older I got better!
Did you or do you play any other sports?
I played football growing up – all my family played football too. For me it was 50-50 football and cricket. I played for Whitstable Town Youth Team, but I had to choose between cricket and football. It was a really tough decision but ultimately I was a better cricket player.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Whitstable, I lived in Herne Bay for a while too. All my family are from Whitstable. I spent my school days in Canterbury though, as I went to Canterbury Academy.
Do you visit Canterbury very often?
I’ve been watching cricket at the St Lawrence Ground for as long as I can remember. I think my favourite parts of Canterbury are Kent Cricket and the Cathedral – I’ve been there to visit and thought it was really cool.
What would be your advice to a young person who wants to get into cricket?
Go to a local club and get involved. Enjoy playing the game – this is really important. My younger brother is currently really enjoying playing cricket and it’s great to see.
Who were your heroes growing up?
I would say Ben Stokes OBE - he’s inspirational. I grew up watching him on TV. He’s always looked up to, he leads from the front.
What are your short term and long term goals?
My short term goals are to get into the Kent First Team consistently, week in and week out. My long term goal is to play for England in all formats.
What are things to consider if you want to get into sport?
Go to all the clubs at school – whatever you enjoy. Don’t do things you don’t enjoy – keep to what you like.
