Growing the game: How investing in facilities can help

Investing in ground infrastructure and facilities can significantly help in the recruitment and retention of players from all groups, as the cricket pitch experts from total-play Ltd explain...

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As part of its five-year Inspiring Generations plan, the ECB outlined a series of key objectives to help make cricket more accessible and inclusive.

From encouraging a new generation of cricketers to embracing the fast-growing women's game and reaching out to communities to increase diversity, there's never been a better time for clubs to grow their game. Investing in ground infrastructure and facilities can significantly help in the recruitment and retention of players from all groups, as the cricket pitch experts from total-play Ltd explain...

It's an exciting time for cricket and with funding streams available to increase accessibility, we're working with clients around the country to improve facilities as part of their strategy to reach out to new players.

Investing in artificial practice net systems is a popular move – taking pressure off existing natural turf facilities and providing additional space for coaching on an almost year-round basis. We're also seeing non-turf match pitches being installed at an increasing rate – great for the junior game, they not only help preserve the natural pitches for matchplay but are essential if clubs want to get more involved in popular shorter formats of the game.

With no less than six ECB approved non-turf cricket pitch system designs in our range, we are able to offer unrivalled choice for clubs when it comes to designing their new facilities. Systems are designed bespoke to individual clients' needs and to the players they are trying to attract.

^{Ground protection at The Oval, courtesy of total-play [supplied]}

^{Net facilities installed by total-play [supplied]}

For example, at Moseley CC in Birmingham we refurbished their existing artificial practice net area, installed a new natural turf practice facility with a specially designed retractable Pro-Netting system and replaced an ageing artificial match pitch.

The ECB-funded project not only ensured the ground was ready for its role as an official training partner for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which saw all the competing women’s teams train at the club, but as a legacy to support the development of women's cricket in the region. Central Sparks now use the club as a training base and the club is proactively recruiting female members.

Up in Yorkshire, meanwhile, community involvement lies at the heart of a project by Bradford Metropolitan City Council which, supported by the ECB, has seen the installation of seven non-turf match pitches and two practice net facilities at parks and recreation grounds around the city.

Grassroots clubs are also investing in facilities tailored to meet the needs of their target market – a great example was at Kings Heath CC where we installed a nets facility where the central lane featured our light Natural Pitch Colour (NPC), with dark blue borders, training lines and runup areas, with the strong contrast between colours aiding both the club's youth players and a visually impaired team who also use the facility.

And it's not just training facilities clubs are investing in – being able to get the game on and beat the weather is a key part of retaining talent. Covers – whether our flagship Climate Cover System™ which can be left on the square for extended periods of poor weather ahead of a match – or our great-value Rain Cover, providing protection just prior to or during play, are popular with clubs of all levels who are looking to grow the game.

To find out how total-play can help your club grow its game and develop facilities for the future, visit www.total-play.co.uk, email info@total-play.uk or call  01604 864575.