Non-turf practice system refurbishment – Solihull
Brief:
To upgrade the school’s cricket practice facilities to include a state-of-the-art non-turf practice net system
TP Solution:
total-play’s solution to the school’s needs came in the form of a six-lane, 33m fully enclosed practice facility based on the company’s tp365 ECB Approved Pitch System. Before installation started, the total-play team cleared the site of the existing practice pitches and undertook all preparatory ground works ready for the laying of the new dynamic sub-base, shock pads and carpets. The team then installed tailor-made steelwork and fitted it with total-play’s unique HD Protection Tunnel netting system; which creates a ‘cocoon’ in each lane to not only protect players from errant balls from adjacent lanes but also reduces repairs and maintenance due to consistent tension throughout the netting.
The specification was completed with the inclusion of white coaching lines in four of the six lanes, as requested by the client, and provision of space suitable to locate the school’s new spin bowling machine.
“We researched a number of suppliers, but it was a visit to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School that made us realise total-play were our supplier of choice. The system was excellent, David Bates impressed us with his knowledge and advice and we liked the fact that the company undertook in-house fitting and met the ECB’s code of practice for installing non-turf systems. To top it all, the quote was very close to those for the other three suppliers we approached; so the decision was made.”
“The new total-play cricket surfaces have made a huge improvement to our practice facilities. The enclosed netting structure creates a safe practice environment and the pace and bounce of the surface is consistent – I would highly recommend having stump lines on all of the practice wickets as this is a great coaching tool to help both batsman and bowlers.” Former Warwickshire and England Test all-rounder Darren Maddy, Master of Cricket
Karl Brotherhood, Head Groundsman
