Geraint Jones will be inspiring the next generation of Kent cricketers in 2013 thanks to a new role with the Kent Cricket Board.

England Ashes hero Geraint will be one of the first male Chance to Shine ambassadors in the country and the role will see him attend schools and clubs throughout the year to help introduce children to the game.

Geraint will be assisting Kent Cricket Board in the delivery of high quality spring and summer term coaching and competition programmes within existing schools and to primary and secondary schools across Kent.

Over the next 12 months he will be delivering school assemblies and spreading the word of cricket in local schools. During these assemblies he will be taking Q&A sessions and coaching school children from around the county. In addition to this, Geraint will be joining the Kent Cricket Development Officers in attending schools for Brit Insurance National Cricket Day events in Kent and attending club coaching sessions delivering cricket to their members.

Geraint Jones said: “As a child I was always inspired when I had the chance to meet a sporting hero. Becoming a Chance to Shine Ambassador is a fantastic platform for me now to do the inspiring. I am eagerly looking forward to 2013 and getting the opportunity to travel round Kent to meet and work with kids from all over the county.”

The aim of the Kent Cricket School Programme is to inspire children and their teachers to experience the game, to develop the children’s life skills and sporting potential, and to create a legacy for the future.

Steve Peyman, Operations Director at the Cricket Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic to have Geraint as a Chance to Shine ambassador for the Kent Cricket Board over the next 12 months. He is a player who has achieved great things at international level and I think he will do a tremendous job in inspiring the next generation of cricketers in Kent”.

Andy Griffiths, Cricket Development Manager at Kent Cricket Board, commented: “Geraint is a huge signing for us and is a role model for many young children aspiring to play the game.  We are privileged that he recognises the importance of the work that Kent Cricket Board does.  I have no doubt that he will help to build on our first year of the strategy where we coached in over 140 schools. ”

“Throughout the County, we delivered approx 3,000 hours of activity to over 28,000 children (10% had a disability).  Of the total number of children 48% were girls and this has helped us to create 5 new girls clubs.”