Kent Cricket yesterday announced their new Leadership Group for Kent’s Women’s set-up heading into its first season as a Tier 2 side in 2025.

Lucy Arman, formerly the Regional Talent Manager at the South East Stars and Head Coach of various female age group squads in the Kent Talent Pathway programme, has been appointed as the Club’s New Head of Women’s Cricket.

James Hockley, who made over 100 appearances for Kent Men in all formats across his playing career, has been appointed as Kent Women Head Coach after being a part of the coaching setup in the 2024 season.

Former Kent & England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones will also be an Assistant Coach of Kent Women. David Smith will be stepping down as Women’s & Girls’ Pathway Manager following the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Megan Belt will continue to captain the side after her first full season as Kent Women’s Captain in 2024. After trials at The County Ground, Beckenham attended by multiple current county cricketers and exciting prospects, Kent Women’s full squad for the 2025 season will be confirmed following a Winter training group made-up of successful triallists and Kent Talent Pathway players – many of whom featured for the first team in 2024.

Kent’s Head of Women’s Cricket, Lucy Arman, said: “I’m delighted to be Kent’s Head of Women’s Cricket at what is an important time for us heading into Tier 2 of the new setup of English domestic women’s cricket.

“It’s no secret that we have an extremely strong recreational and pathway setup for women’s cricket here at Kent – we hope to compete for honours in Tier 2 this season, and stake our claim for Tier 1 status at the earliest opportunity.

“I’d like to thank Dave Smith for all of his hard work in 2024 on behalf of the players, staff and coaches – he certainly leaves Kent’s female setup in a great position heading into next year.

“I’ve been encouraged by the amount of talent we have here coming through the ranks, as well as by the triallists that have shown their intentions to be playing for Kent in 2025. We hope that this will result in a strong core of a side going forward.”

On stepping down from his role at Kent Women, David Smith said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time as Women’s & Girls’ Pathway Manager. I am proud to have set up the current structure and have more girls than ever playing representative cricket. There are a lot of fantastic young players coming through our talent pathway that can now realistically have a chance of making our Tier 2 squad.

“I wish the coaches, staff and players all the very best for 2025.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said: “Lucy was the outstanding candidate in our thorough process of appointing our first Head of Women’s Cricket, and she has a track record of progressing talent through both our Talent Pathway and in the former regional setup, too.

“She is joined by a fantastic group of coaches in Hockers & Jonesy – these are firm foundations that we can build success on in 2025 and beyond.”