Case studies

ECB approved non turf system

Fielding teams of all ages and levels – including a 1st team playing in the West of England Premier League, Gloucestershire Division; 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams playing at various levels in the local County League structure, a Sunday social team and 10 youth sides – it’s fair to say that Cheltenham’s Hatherley & Reddings CC has a bustling coaching schedule. Add in that it’s also home to the Gloucestershire Growlers, the County’s blind and partially sighted team, and the club’s need for safe, high-performance, ECB approved facilities becomes even more evident.

When, in 2018, the club started to look for a supplier to install a new 3 lane, fully enclosed artificial turf cricket practice nets facility significant research into the market was undertaken and several suppliers of ECB approved systems invited to put forward proposalstotal-play was among these and, having impressed during a comprehensive site visit, went on to put forward a number of options for the club to choose from. Visits to other clubs in the area with total-play systems sealed the deal, and it was appointed contractor for the project.

During this time the club also applied, successfully, for funding from a number of sources – including the ECB, Sport England and the local Summerfield Charitable Trust. The club also undertook fundraising activities in the year leading up to the project to further boost funds. With funding in place, work commenced on site with total-play undertaking all preparatory groundworks before installation. This included, as per the club’s brief, relocating spoil to a specific area of the site to avoid the cost of removal.

The 33m, 3 lane facility was then installed to total-play’s flagship tp365 ECB approved non-turf pitch system design with the bespoke specification including HD Protection Tunnel netting system; two-tone woven carpets – one lane with training lines woven in; PVC skirt and batting curtains on all three sides of every lane to enclose the batsman and remove distractions. The system was fully enclosed to maximise space and allow the facility to be used at the same time as games on the adjacent square.

The response to the new facility has been superb, and the nets are already getting plenty of use, as the club’s Business Manager, Gary Hage, explains:

“The new nets are absolutely fantastic. Practice has increased and the facility has already encouraged new members. I’d happily recommend total-play to clubs looking to install similar facilities – in fact, I already have on several occasions!”