Last month saw the return of the ever popular Countrystyle and Kent Cricket Schools Day Out to the Spitfire Ground St Lawrence, and what a fantastic day was had by all that attended! Kent Cricket welcomed nearly 1000 school children and 200 teachers from schools across the county to attend day 2 of the LV County Championship match against Gloucestershire, and Countrystyle was delighted to continue in the role of principle Community Cricket sponsors and delivered a number of new activities.
Glorious sunshine greeted guests as they arrived and took their seats ready to watch Gloucestershire resume on 338-7, with students hoping to see some early wickets then watch their Kent heroes have a bat and they were not disappointed. Just after midday Kent had wrapped up the last 3 Gloucester batters and began their innings.
As well as some thrilling cricket, schools were able to take part in various activities throughout the day, which included the Countrystyle Assault Course, games of Countdown Cricket and Rapid-Fire Cricket, testing their batting and throwing strength on the speed guns, and some inclusive games the sports hall.
Activities were run by the Sports Leaders from Simons Langton Girls Grammar School who were outstanding throughout the day, guiding, supporting and encouraging pupils, overseen by the Kent Cricket Community Team.
Not to be out done, Countrystyle also ran a litter picking contest, we supplied all schools attending with litter picking kits and goody boxes to take back to their schools, helping to raise awareness of the importance of recycling by collecting as much rubbish as possible throughout the day. All litter picked was weighed by our brand-new dustcart supported by our terrific Countrystyle team. 
Big congratulations to Bysing Wood Primary School who collected a whooping 13kgs during the day.
Litter Pick Winners-
Primary School Winner- Bysing Wood School collected- 13kg of rubbish
Secondary School Winner- St Anselm’s Catholic School collected- 5kg rubbish
We would also like to mention the following:
-The Beacon School Folkestone for being the most enthusiastic participants on the Maxwind Street Cleaner and Dustcart
-Eythorne Elvington Community Primary School who were runners up in litter picking competition collecting 7Kg of rubbish
-Simon Langton Girls Grammar School for being fantastic stewards and helping with all the activities
The Max Wind road sweeper was another popular attraction that children were able to have a go on, clearing the area behind the Les Ames stand which has never been cleaner!
School children from across Kent enjoy the Countrystyle Schools Day with England stars Charlotte Edwards, Lydia Greenway and Danni Wyatt.
Stuart Butler-Gallie Countrystyle’s Compliance Director said “Countrystyle is delighted to have sponsored Kent Cricket’s Big Schools’ Day Out again. The Countrystyle and Kent Community Cricket Teams worked really hard to make this year’s event a huge success with lots of activities, sporting and educational, allowing us to show the pupils attending the importance of a clean environment and sustainable recycling as 2 key ways to tackle Climate Change. The Litter Picking Competition was particularly popular and was much appreciated by the Kent Cricket Ground staff, who said the St Lawrence Ground had never looked so tidy after a game! We look forward to visiting the winning schools, before the end of the Summer Term”.
During the afternoon the Kent players came out in force to meet, greet and sign autographs for the eagerly awaiting students.
The event was a huge success, and everyone had a great day out.
Kent Cricket CEO Simon Storey said; “It was thoroughly uplifting to see so many local school children inside the ground in the sunshine; they brought a welcome buzz and energy and it was another timely reminder of the power of cricket to put a smile on everyone’s face.
At a time when cricket continues to be under the spotlight and we are being challenged to make the game more accessible, this was a great example of the good work that is going on and proves that we have some strong foundations on which we can build.”
Community Cricket Manager- Matthew Fagg- “We are delighted that we can return to delivering large scale events like this and help to inspire the next generation of cricketers and cricket fans, whilst including vital messages about the environment and importance of recycling through our partnerships. The addition of Sports Leaders this year has enabled us to provide even more activity and inspiration for coaches of the future.”
Countrystyle would like to say a special thank you to the following for their amazing contribution and making the day such a hit will everyone who to part
-Kent Cricket Community Team for all their hard work organising and running the day.
-The Commercial, Marketing and Match Day teams for their support and allowing the event to go ahead.
-Last but not least our own amazing Countrystyle team for a great effort and making even litter picking such fun!
And most importantly we would like to thank all the schools that attended- we hope you had a fantastic day and we look forward to seeing you again in 2023.
