Kent County Cricket Club¹s former captain David Fulton has swapped the St Lawrence Ground for St Edmund's School Canterbury after taking up his first coaching role.

Fulton, who led the county side between 2002 and 2005, is providing expert tuition to the 25 pupils in the school¹s senior cricket squad.

An elegant opening batsman, Fulton scored more than 12,000 first class runs for Kent ­many of them at Canterbury ­ before retiring from the county game in 2006.

David Fulton, 36, said: "After 15 years representing the county as a player I'm very keen to pass on my nowledge of the game in a coaching capacity. St Edmund¹s has excellent facilities and a talented squad of cricketers who I'm looking forward to seeing develop as players and as a team."

St Edmund's School Canterbury headmaster Jeremy Gladwin added: "Having a cricketer of David¹s stature coaching our senior squad is fantastic for the School as our pupils can only benefit from his experience and enthusiasm for the game. He brings fresh ideas which stimulate the younger players to improve their techniques which is exactly why we employed him."

The senior cricket squad includes pupils from Years 11 to 13. Winter coaching sessions gave Fulton the opportunity to work on fitness levels and introduce some technical training.

David Fulton said: "I'm a great believer in professional training regimes being replicated at every level within cricket. That is the best way to help these youngsters make the most of their abilities and realise their
cricketing aspirations."

Fulton's appointment has bolstered the coaching staff at St Edmund's School Canterbury, which already included ex-professionals Hartley Alleyne, the West Indian fast bowler, and Chris Penn, who also played for Kent. Both work as coaches with St Edmund¹s junior school.

Among the players hoping to improve with Fulton's guidance is 1st XI captain Ben Easter, who has coaching aspirations of his own.

Ben Easter, who hopes to pass the English Cricket Board level II assessment this year, said: "Everyone knows David Fulton from his time with Kent and so the whole squad has been working extra hard to improve and become better players. We're excited about getting the season under way and I hope to lead the team to victory in as many matches as possible."

More Kent sports here, Kent sport direct to your mailbox with the Kent Review.