Call us: 0116 2813200
With junior mixed teams at U9, U11, U13 & U15, two Saturday teams, a Wednesday team, a Sunday team and a winter indoor team, the club is a hive of activity which can host over 200 people during Summer training evenings.
With numbers continuing to expand, the clubs current net facility was very old and had become inadequate, unsuitable, unrealistic and not fit for purpose.
It was agreed that whilst all members would benefit from the new nets, the 16-24 age group were targeted in particular. This is an age when many players give up the game and they are so important to the future of the club and indeed cricket. One of the reasons they give for drifting away is the poor quality of practice nets.
In light of this, the clubs Management Committee began to examine costs and options surrounding the construction of a new twin bay non-turf practice facility at the ground.
Dura-Sport were approached by the club during the Summer of 2022 to offer impartial help and advice with regards to a new facility to suit the clubs players in terms of dimensions and performance, but as importantly, location and orientation.
Following a meeting with Simon Watts at the club regarding space, dimensions, orientation, location and planning, a specification was agreed which included the addition of a range of enhanced and upgraded materials.
With funding secured an order was placed with Dura-Sport. A route was identified which allowed good access to the location from hard standing, which meant a Winter build with no damage to the outfield, allowing one of our in house installation teams to break ground on the project during November 2022.
Once we had broken up and removed the existing concrete platforms and the location of the new facility away from the trees at the perimeter of the ground, over 80 tonnes of specified foundation material was then imported to help to produce the levels, stability, drainage and performance required for the twin bay non-turf practice facility.
The club opted for “design 1” - a practice pitch design, with The ECB Approved DSi-pro Vision cricket pitch system specified throughout the full length of each lane. The system is surfaced with a unique loam coloured DSi-weave, a superior wilton woven cricket carpet confirmed in an ECB accredited test laboratory as the strongest and most durable available.
The pitches were complimented by DS Evograss, our natural looking tri-coloured synthetic grass, installed in between and alongside each pitch to define them. The material extends to 300mm outside the perimeter of the cage structure to form a synthetic mowing margin which reduces maintenance requirements.
The facility design and spike resistant carpet provides the club with the closest non-turf pitch system in terms of look, feel and performance to that of a well prepared natural turf wicket.
An enhanced open ended heavy duty steel work structure was specified with additional height for spin bowlers, clad with DS extra thick and durable heavy duty knotted netting as well as an anti-vermin skirt and batting curtains.
Working closely with the club throughout the process, the project has been completed ahead of schedule and within the clubs budget ready for the 2023 season.
Club Secretary Simon Watts said:
“From the moment of first contact to completion of the project our experience with Dura-Sport Ltd was first rate. Their office team responded immediately to our query, made an early visit, offered helpful advice, prepared a quotation rapidly and responded to queries promptly and helpfully. Practically they were a pleasure to deal with too. They drew up an imaginative plan for the site, being sensitive about potential damage to playing surfaces, and their in house installation team were flexible and installed the practice facility expertly, quickly, and with good humour and the minimum of fuss. We have not yet used the nets but based on our experience so far we would have no hesitation in using Dura-Sport again ourselves and in recommending them to others.”
When you sign up to our mailing list we will store your email address securely and contact you with relevant updates in the future (we never share your details). For more information please see our privacy policy.