Kings Hill Cricket Club

Kent’s newest cricket pitch was given the seal of approval by legendary spin bowler ‘Deadly’ Derek Underwood when he opened the Kings Hill Cricket Club ground on 17th July 2010. The ground is at the heart of Kings Hill and is one of the many leisure and sports amenities on site. Main club sponsors, Liberty Property Trust UK, together with Kings Hill development partner Kent County Council, donated the use of the ground and built the pavilion for the club.

To celebrate the opening the Kings Hill Cricket Club organised a match between teams of children from the two primary schools at Kings Hill and from the Kent VI Cricket Club for those with visual impairment. In the afternoon Kings Hill played Town Malling in a 40-over match.

The new ground is surrounded by trees and has a traditional white weatherboarded pavilion, complete with clock tower. Many local families joined the celebrations and proceeds from a barbecue and the new bar, provided by Shepherd Neame, raised nearly £3,000 for the club.

The ground will also be available for hire – for example to businesses who want to organise a corporate Twenty20 match or to individuals who want a match with friends.

The club is in talks with the Kent VI Cricket Club about using the ground, which would make it one of only two cricket clubs with disability provision and the only village club in the country with VI (visual impairment) provision. Additionally it is in talks for the use by Kent girls at various representative levels.

The Kings Hill Cricket Club was founded four years ago and until now could only play away matches. Chairman Brian Bell said: “We are a vibrant club and always looking to attract new members and I am sure the new ground will help with this. It will be great to be able to play at home and reciprocate the hospitality given to us by the teams we play.

“We already have 30 members, all of whom either live or work at Kings Hill, and although we are only fielding one team this year we are hoping to field two next year and two adult teams and one colts team the year after. We will also be offering youth coaching next year.”

KHCC welcome future sponsorshop opportuniteis and assistance in running the club.  For more details contact Club Secretary, Neil Miners, on 01634 242604 or kingshillcc@hotmail.co.uk