Former Proteas and Dolphins all-rounder Jon Kent is set to open a high-performance cricket academy at Ashton International College in January.

Kent (46) played 101 first-class matches, 149 List A games and 41 T20s in a 15-year professional career that also included being capped for Scotland. Since retiring in 2011, he has earned his Level 3 coaching qualification – allowing him to coach internationally.

He has also built a career in sports management and is a regular member of SuperSport’s team of cricket commentators.

The Pitch High Performance Academy, the first of its kind on the North Coast, will launch in the first term of the new school year.

Kent told the Courier the academy would enable Ashton to better meet the needs of its cricketers, improve player development pathways, and become more competitive with KwaZulu-Natal’s traditional cricketing schools.

“I’m excited to work with Ashton, they are very driven and ambitious,” said Kent.

“I want to strengthen cricket at the school and on the North Coast.”

The programme will cater for pupils aged 9-18 and promises high-performance training to enhance technical skills, mental resilience and professional readiness.

Participants will benefit from private coaching sessions, professional mentorship and pre-season and in-season development programmes led by elite coaches.

“We want to create clear pathways for ambitious young players and aim to produce provincial-level athletes.

“We also want to increase participation and retain players by preventing the talent drain to traditional schools in the province.”

Ashton executive head of sport Gregg Howard welcomed the initiative.

“Ashton is committed to creating opportunities that inspire excellence, passion and growth in every young athlete,” he said.

“This marks a significant milestone for cricket on the North Coast.

This partnership will give our boys and girls world-class coaching, elite pathways and the chance to develop in a truly high-performance environment.

We are incredibly excited for what this launch means for our young cricketers and the future of the sport in our community.”

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