Kent Cricket Academy has joined forces with Canterbury Christ Church University, to offer a cricket bursary for the first time.

Kent County Cricket Club has been working with the university to attract young players with the potential to study at the University. Those chosen receive formal cricket coaching and must make themselves available to play for Kent sides as required.

Deanna Cooper, selected as one of Kent Cricket’s 2011/12 Academy Scholars is the recipient of this year’s bursary, which will assist her in the pursuit of academic and sporting success. Deanna recently began studying for a degree in Physical Education and Sports and Exercise Science at Canterbury Christ Church University, and the bursary will assist her with some of the essential costs associated with her training and study, such as travel, kit and physiotherapy.

The bursary is offered to a student selected by both Kent County Cricket Club and the University, with funding from the J & K Huntley Bursary. This bursary is the result of the generosity of the Huntley brothers, who left a significant sum of money to the Club upon their passing, to be used for the development of young cricketers in the county.

Canterbury Christ Church University is pleased to be able to support local sportsmen and women wishing to further their education. Dr Andy Balsdon, Director of Sport and Physical Activity commented; “We are delighted to have the first female scholar under this title for cricket. Our aim is to support sportsmen and women in achieving their academic and sporting goals.

“As a cricketer, Deanna will not have a normal university existence, and is about managing time well to achieve excellence. A vital skill for a sports scholar is to learn where deadlines are and hit them at the right time on the academic and cricketing field. Charlotte Edwards is an honorary fellow of the university and an inspirational England Women’s Cricket Captain. We would like to help Deanna realise her full potential and achieve all she can in her sport and studies.”

Deanna Cooper commented; “Canterbury Christ Church was always my first choice university. I’m loving my course so far and learning about what I would like to do after my course is completed. Studying at Canterbury Christ Church University I’m able to get the academic support that I need, as well as the flexibility to continue to develop my cricket at Kent Cricket Academy. This bursary means a great deal as it will enable me to fund some of the costs associated with my sport, and develop my skills whilst studying for an academic qualification.”

Simon Willis, Kent Cricket’s High Performance Director commented on this year’s collaborative bursary; “It really pleases me to have established this partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University. I have always been very keen for our young players to get the academic support they require as this will give them the reassurance of having something else to fall back on should things not go to plan or in preparation for future life after cricket.”