James Kemp reflects on his time as North Devon Club and Community Coach

Originally from Oxfordshire, James Kemp took up the role of North Devon Club and Community Coach in October 2018. He has been the first to undertake this role in the North of the county and we caught up with him as he reflects on his time at the Devon Cricket Board.

 

What attracted you to the role of North Devon Club and Community Coach?
"I always enjoyed playing cricket and started coaching at my local club at 18 before assisting with the local Chance to Shine programme in Primary Schools. After completing a degree in Sports Coaching & Science at Worcester University the role came up at Devon Cricket and I was lucky enough to get it! I was attracted to the Club and Community Coach job in North Devon as the role was new to the area and allowed me the freedom and flexibility to put my own stamp on it, something that will hopefully continue with whoever takes over the role."

 

How did you find relocating to North Devon and what do you like about the area?
"Even though North Devon is starkly opposite to the constantly busy city of Oxford it was a great place to relocate to. Beautiful beaches and countryside to explore means there is always something to do, surfing, walking, and exploring Exmoor. The picturesque Cricket Clubs in the area are amazing to work at from the striking Valley of the Rocks at Lynton and Lynmouth CC, the delightful North Devon CC at Instow and the beautiful view of the burrows at Braunton CC, which is where I play my cricket now." 

 

What have you enjoyed most about the role?
"It has been a pleasure to have been Devon Crickets first Club and Community Coach for North Devon. From day one it has given me huge satisfaction to work with the young people in the local schools and clubs and to see them participate in a sport that gives so much and that has been an important focus of my life.
One of my highlights was delivering a Secondary Schools Girls Leadership Programme in Braunton Academy. The school went on to win Secondary School of the Year at the National Chance to Shine Awards at Lords!
I couldn’t have wished for a better place to start my full-time career, extend, and put into action my cricketing and coaching knowledge." 

Watch Braunton Academys story here. 

 

Outside of schools coaching, what else has the role allowed you to do?
"Beyond my role I have been allowed the flexibility to develop myself in a wide variety of areas - working with clubs and within the community as well as delivering Coach Education and on the County Age Group Pathway. I have particularly enjoyed my time working with the County U12s/13s and seeing their development as cricketers, taking them to the Kings festival was a definite highlight."

 

James is staying in North Devon as he starts his training to become a Primary School Teacher and hopes to continue to be involved with Coach Education and the County Pathway. 

Alex Jopling, Clubs and Programmes Manager at the DCB “James has been a brilliant member of the team for almost 4 years now and will definitely be missed. We wish him all the best in this exciting next step in his career and expect to still see plenty of him through Coach Ed, Pathway and School events!”

 

Intereseted in being the next North Devon Club and Community Coach? Find out more and apply here by 12:00pm on Friday 2nd September 2022.