Case studies

New cricket practice nets facility

When it came to the design and installation of a new ECB approved artificial cricket practice nets facility at thriving West Midlands side Kings Heath CC, club Chairman Jon Clugston undertook extensive research. With a strong youth side and also a Visually Impaired team set to use the facility, he found that contrasting surface colours could have a big impact on coaching success.

This was a key consideration when deciding on a supplier, with the project brief specifying a new three-lane facility with natural coloured wicket and contrasting surround, and the ability to completely local and secure the system. To help raise the funds for the project, the club employed a bid writer who also identified potential funding sources, with the scheme eventually joint-funded by the club joint alongside a grant from a large waste disposal and recycling firm with a local presence, and a top up loan from ECB.

With funds in place and three similar quotes from suppliers on the table, it was total-play that eventually won the project, with the club impressed by references from previous customers and the fact that total-play’s proposal also addressed an existing drainage issue, something that was mentioned in the spec but overlooked by other contractors.

total-play’s specification for the project was based on its ECB approved tpb1 tufted carpet system design with the central lane carpet in its new Natural Pitch Colour (NPC) contrasted with dark blue sides and run-up areas. White training lines, HD panel netting, single batting curtains, protection skirting and a lockable access gate completed the design.

With the new facility completed in 2019 and in regular use throughout the season, Club Chairman, Jon Clugston, said:

“We’d read a lot into how a lighter coloured surface is important in helping young players improve their hand-eye coordination. We also have a group of visually impaired cricketers who use our facility on a regular basis, so the contrast on the carpet and also between the dark ball and lighter surface really helps them, too.”