TenIntelligence has been the key sponsor of Kings Hill Cricket Club's junior coaching programme and we caught up with Neil Miller to chat about his involvement with the club.

How long have you been involved with KHCC?

My first full league season was TEN years ago in 2014, but I played my first game against Otford away in 2013, where I am convinced I bowled leg spin and grabbed a couple of wickets and catches.

Did you start off as a player or were you involved as a sponsor from the start?

I started as a player first, but also helped the junior section as a coach in 2014.

What first drew you to KHCC or made you want to get involved at the club?

I remember watching a game at the Kings Hill Oval back in the summer of 2013. The then-captain of the first team Shaun McMurray who was accompanied by current club member Alex Chapman, asked me if I played cricket. I told them yes, and they pretty much signed me up there and then! Being a Kings Hill resident from the Pixie Walk end, it was an easy decision to make!

What role do you see KHCC having within the community?

The club plays a massive role in the community, having been with the club from its early years all the way through to now, you can see how everyone, including the players, juniors, social members, and residents enjoy coming down to the oval to watch cricket - as well as enjoying the fantastic facilities and community spirit on sunny Friday evenings. Without the juniors, many of the parents would likely not come to the cricket club. The junior section has transformed the club and helps bring the community together. I often hear people who are not related to the club say, “shall we meet at the cricket club tonight?”

You’ve played close to a hundred games for KHCC. What are some of your highlights and experiences as a player?

Wow, nearly a hundred games… There are probably too many funny stories to share. My favourite memories are coming off the pitch after winning a game and sitting in the changing room with my mates. Personally speaking, opening the batting with Tazor (Neil Taylor) and putting on a club record of an unbroken 340 opening stand has to be right up there, and it was against my former club which made it even sweeter.
As a wicket-keeper, standing up to the quickies at the Kings Hill Oval is a test which I love, getting a few stumpings against batters who thought I was mad standing up to the quicks. I do remember one delivery from Matt Ellis (who is not quick by the way), who bowled a rank legside attempted bouncer which should have gone for 4 wides, probably 8 wides if it was possible, instead I remember reaching my right glove out to the ball and stretching back to remove the bails. The batter couldn’t believe what had happened and shook my hand as he walked off! Winning several leagues and scoring hundreds will be in my memory forever.

What is your cricketing background prior to KHCC?

I have been playing cricket since I was a young kid. My Dad used to take me to the local nets, my Mum used to watch me (from behind trees) at junior school cricket, my sister used to bowl to me for hours, and my brother and I even cut out a wicket in our garden so we could play. I managed to play for Sussex Colts as a keeper-batsman, and then went on to represent my University too. After playing for a couple of seasons in Essex at a lovely little club called Brookweald near Brentwood, we moved to Kent where I then played for Addington Village for a few seasons. Then me and some other Addington exiles joined Kings Hill!

You have personally been a key stakeholder in the development of junior cricket at the club, both as a coach as well as running the junior programme for a number of years. What are some of the things that you enjoy about junior cricket and why have you continued to support it through TenIntelligence’s sponsorship?

Grassroots sports had a huge influence on me growing up as a kid. Giving children the opportunity to be active, outside and playing team sports is essential for their personal development. Our President, Gary Jackson, was THAT person who started the junior section at the club. He built the foundations. So when he decided to step down as Junior Chairman, I snapped up the chance to build on his legacy. My main aim was to ensure the junior section remained inclusive, providing opportunities for girls and boys to play cricket, be active, have fun, but also to start coaching and preparing the older juniors so they could start representing the adult teams. We now have many juniors who started at 5 years old who are into their late teens and twenties who are now playing 1st and 2nd XI league cricket. Not only is that a testament to what the junior section has created, but also to the players for becoming young leaders on and off the cricket field.
As for TenIntelligence, this was an easy decision, giving up my time to help run the section and coach wasn’t enough, we needed some resources and equipment too. TenIntelligence provides the financial resource to equip the juniors with the coaching equipment needed.

TenIntelligence is based on Kings Hill but operates globally. Can you tell us a bit more about what the company does, or what services it provides.

Indeed, we have offices on Churchill Square and in Dubai too. Essentially, we are like secret agents, but in the corporate world. We help organisations of all sizes with investigations, computer forensics, background checks, fraud prevention, cyber-security and data protection. Our dedicated team helps safeguard our clients’ reputation and protects them from fraud, regulatory risk, cyber threats and data breaches. If you have a suspicion that something is not right in your organisation, then give me a call!

What is your vision or ambition for the future of junior cricket at KHCC?

It has to be based on the legacy and foundations of where it all started and continues to thrive. An inclusive grassroots club, providing opportunities for girls and boys of all ages to play cricket, to be active, to be part of a team and of course - enjoy themselves.

As they grow older and develop, the club coaches will provide them with the necessary skills to improve, be successful, win and lose with grace, and become future young leaders on and off the pitch. If we develop the next Joe Root or Heather Knight then that’s a bonus!

A word from club chair Nick McGeorge

TenIntelligence have been an integral part of KHCC for 10 years now and their importance as a key sponsor for our junior section cannot be overestimated. Since joining the club as a player, Neil has given the club not just some much needed financial support, but the benefit of his huge experience and knowledge of the game. The success of our juniors is directly related to the support provided by TenIntelligence and for this we will always be truly grateful.

Visit the TenIntelligence website for more information about their services, and how they can help your business.