Kemp and Varcoe sign off and look back on 4 years working for the Devon Cricket Board with fond memories and pride.
Appointed by the Devon Cricket Board, on exactly the same day back in October 2018, James Kemp (North Devon Club & Community Coach) and Jonny Varcoe (West Devon Club & Community Coach) have been working with schools and clubs to develop the next wave of talented young cricketers. Both will be leaving Devon Cricket Board employment at the end of August and moving on to new things.
They have been delivering the Chance to Shine programme in schools within their patch and then linking this to All Stars and Dynamo’s to help clubs recruit new children and volunteers. Additionally, they have both been involved in County Age Group cricket, Coach Development and the huge development in the girls game.
More recently Varcoe switched his role to become the Board’s Assistant Pathway Coach and has been overseeing and running the county’s Youth Development programme. In this role he has been supporting the latest group of players looking to make their way into County Age Group teams, across both boys and girls squads.
Varcoe is a permanent fixture at Plymouth Cricket Club, taking on numerous roles including 1st XI captain, committee member and coach. Having started a new family this summer with his partner Beth, a job closer to home with less travel was the answer.
He commented: “Over the last few years I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Devon Cricket as both the West Devon Club and Community Coach and more recently Assistant Pathway Coach.
It will be great to see over 120+ Youth Development players playing competitive cricket against other counties throughout the summer and I wish all players the very best of luck.
Finally, I’d like to thank all the coaches, parents and players that I have worked with. Without your hard work and commitment, the programmes and your club junior sections would not run as smoothly as they do.
I’m really looking forward to the new chapter of my working life at Plymouth College, but take some very fond memories with me from my time working for Devon cricket”.
Originally from Oxfordshire, James Kemp joined the staff after completing a degree in Sports Coaching & Science at Worcester University. He currently lives in Braunton and plays for the club.
“It has been a pleasure to have been Devon Cricket's first Community Coach for North Devon.
From day one it has given me huge satisfaction to work with the young people in schools and clubs in the area and to see them participate in a sport that gives so much and that has been an important focus of my life.
I couldn’t have wished for a better place to start my full-time career and put into action my cricketing and coaching knowledge.
Beyond my role I have been allowed the flexibility to develop myself in a wide variety of areas and I have had the opportunity to work with a team of people who have high aspirations for cricket at all levels: community, developmental and county.
As I embark on the next stage of my career in Primary Education I look forward to being involved with Devon Cricket as and when possible".
Speaking about both employees, Matt Theedom – Managing Director said:
“Although it’s obviously really sad to see two really great coaches leaving the staff, it’s very rewarding to know that we’ve helped them both take the next step in their careers.
Knowing that James will become a teacher and Jonny will be coaching at Plymouth College fills us with a lot of pride
We wish them the very best of luck with their new ventures. They will still be involved in Devon Cricket in some capacity after they leave, so it’s not farewell!”.
In the next week, both vacancies will be readvertised with a view to the successful applicants starting in late August or early September.
