Kent announce intention to bid for tier-one women's team

The county's CEO, Simon Storey, had previously suggested that any bid would be contingent on "financial support" from various stakeholders

Kent have confirmed that they are throwing their hat into the tender process for a tier-one women's team, having previously suggested that any bid would be contingent on "financial support" from various stakeholders.

On March 8, two days out from the application deadline, the county issued a statement, outlining its intentions to "build on the historical successes of Kent's women's team and female talent pathway" by securing one of the eight regional teams, when they are transferred over to the county system in 2025.

As a women's county side, Kent have won 10 league championships and five T20 titles, winning the last County Championship in 2019. Tammy Beaumont and Lydia Greenway are among the England players to have come through the county.

The county's ground at Beckenham has been the principal host venue for South East Stars since 2020.

This development follows an update published on Kent's official website by chief executive Simon Storey, who admitted that the county – "if" they were to submit a bid – would require "the financial support of commercial partners, cricket fans, benefactors, and anyone who believes that every boy and girl growing up in Kent deserves an equal opportunity to become a professional cricketer and represent their home county of Kent and potentially go on to play for England".

^{Beckenham has been home to South East Stars (Tom Dulat/Getty Images)}

Beckenham could be an important selling point for Kent's bid, given the challenges associated with facilities and the advantage of having a readymade venue. West Indies are set to face a County Select XI in a men's pre-Test series warmup match in July.

Kent Women captain Megan Belt said: "The opportunity to be a professional cricketer in Kent would be a completely different prospect to how my personal journey has been so far as a player.

"Being able to train and practice as much as a men's county side, using the facilities they use and having access to the same level of support staff, would be an absolute gamechanger for us.

"I'm hoping that our bid is successful, and that Kent Women can once again compete against the best domestic sides in the country for silverware."

"A professional Kent Women side would continue to produce England players through our extensive talent identification and training programmes and facilities," added Simon Cook, the club's new director of cricket.

Surrey, with whom Kent have managed South East Stars, have already confirmed their intention to bid strongly.

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