While many schools will be gunning for the title when the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank National School League kicks-off for a third edition this weekend, Kent College are excited just to compete on a national scale.
The newcomers, who face Our Own High School Al Warqa’a in their debut at The Sevens on Saturday, have enough players to fill one Under-17 side, with the boys ranging in age from 11 to 16.
Their youth and lack of experience mean the odds will be stacked against them, but coach Paul Jackson believes more than winning games, the tournament will allow them to better develop as a cricket programme.
“This is mainly for us to get our name out there. We’re wanting to compete and enjoy playing in what I know is an amazing league,” said Jackson, who has witnessed the NSL during his time at Jumeirah College.
“Expectations are quite low, to the point my main expectation is that we get 10 to 11 boys out there on a regular occasion playing, enjoying their cricket, enjoying representing the college and playing a sport they love.
“They’re aware of the expectations as well, which is not to be too hung up on high-scoring runs and more a case of just playing as a team and we’ll grow as the year goes.
“As we get more numbers in the school and more interest in cricket, we’ll get more people playing in a stronger, better team every year.”
Two of the teams Kent College aspire to reach are the NSL’s defending champions, GEMS Modern Academy, who reigned in U-13, and Our Own English High School, winners of U-15.
Though the Modernite’s U-14 and U-17 sides will be in action this weekend against Dubai College, Our Own Zenith will have to wait another week to get their defence started due to exams.
But with a strong team returning for this season, new coach Vijay Jugran, who has replaced the departing Fostus Xavier, believes outside of rust due to a recent lack of practice, his boys’ resolve will make them a force to be reckoned with once again.
“We have a very strong team. I think again we can repeat,” Jugran said. “Obviously, after playing the tournament, the experience is definitely helping them a lot. “They’re getting exposure and they’re coming into the limelight. That is something they want.
“These boys have mental strength. That is required. More than the games, it requires mental strength.”
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