New tufted cricket pitch range putts us ahead of the game
Added on 26 July 2011
Notts Sport, the world’s leading supplier of non-turf cricket pitches, is celebrating having a total of seven state-of-the-art pitch systems approved by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – more than any other supplier.
The superior range that has won the approval of the ECB is a direct result of the company’s move to offering systems surfaced with high-calibre tufted artificial turf.
Advancements in tufted product development and manufacturing techniques mean that Notts Sport’s latest pitch systems with a tufted surface are a cut above traditional synthetic pitches, and can outperform traditional woven surfaced facilities as well as providing a more natural turf appearance.
Pitch systems with tufted surfaces are also proving more cost-effective by offering a longer lifespan. Notts Sport, which has over 27 years of experience in designing and supplying non-turf cricket solutions, finds that based on average use, a tufted surfaced system typically lasts 12 years, significantly longer than a woven surfaced system.
The development of the range of pitch systems is part of Notts Sport’s commitment to consistently providing top-flight facilities for UK clubs, schools and communities at value-for-money prices.
Tufted surfacing products used in the Notts Sport pitch systems range include the premium NG12 carpet, a tough, hard-wearing and proven design that lasts an average of 12 years as part of a Notts Sport system and comes with the reassurance of a guarantee covering the first half of this forecast lifespan. The new NG7 carpet provides a highly economical alternative for pitch systems, offering a lifespan at least on a par with that of a woven surface.
The tufted carpets are used as the surfacing component of Notts Sport’s unique NottsBase D Systems and Envelope Systems, which offer the choice of narrowing performance characteristics in relation to pace and bounce to suit less experienced players, or providing a wider range of characteristics to imitate the best playing characteristics of a well-maintained grass pitch.
A NottsBase D System NG7, for example, is a cost-efficient facility offering a predictable range of performance characteristics – ideal for coaching cricket in schools. An Envelope System NG12 provides realistic playing characteristics suitable for club coaching and full matchplay.
Notts Sport’s Design & Advisory service sets its surfacing solutions apart from other artificial pitch providers, by creating tailor-made facilities that offer playing characteristics to match individual requirements.
The components of Notts Sport’s cricket pitch systems can be selected to suit client needs, while truly bespoke systems can also be designed, which ‘fine tune’ pitch characteristics to agreed pace, performance, maintenance and lifespan criteria to suit the intended user group.
Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sport, says: “We have put a great deal of energy and our many years of expertise into enhancing Notts Sport’s high-quality range of cricket pitch systems, and are delighted by the feedback we have received from young cricketers and experienced players alike.
“With new and improved manufacturing techniques now available to us, the time is right to make the switch from outmoded woven products to highly advanced cricket pitch systems surfaced with tufted artificial turf.”
Notts Sport offers free condition checks for any existing artificial turf cricket facilities and its first-rate systems can be designed as a pitch refurbishment or as a new installation.
ChildsPlay Education from Notts Sport makes playtime a journey of discovery!
Added on 21 July 2011
Schools and nurseries looking for new ways to make learning fun and exciting can now spark children’s imaginations with amazing ChildsPlay Education mats from leading play surfacing specialist Notts Sport.
Installed as part of a ChildsPlay system, the design possibilities for mats made from Notts Sport’s world-renowned VHAF NottsSward synthetic turf are limitless.
Notts Sport can offer expert advice on creating an educational area using ready-made patterns and innovative designs, or alternatively, clients can see their own ideas brought to life using the latest computer technology.
In the space of a single playtime, for example, adventurous children could go on a journey of discovery around the globe on a world map play mat, or even planet-hop on a surface representing the entire solar system!
Chairman of Notts Sport, Shaun Patrick, said: “With our palette of 15 vibrant colours there is unlimited potential for patterns and games and we can create a bespoke ChildsPlay Education mat to suit a school or nursery’s requirements perfectly.
“Freeform patterns from the general play area can flow into more conventional games such as chess and hopscotch, while distance markers, maps, letters and numbers can give children the opportunity to challenge themselves individually or in groups.
“Because the range of designs is infinite, children who will use the play area can be invited to put forward their own ideas to be considered by the school or nursery for incorporation into the overall design. The only limit is their imagination!”
The highly-adaptable ChildsPlay system is the perfect way to refurbish an existing, run-down playground or to create a brand new play area from scratch.
Mounds, slopes and hollows can be incorporated into the design – and whatever colour or form it takes, the textured, tactile VHAF NottsSward artificial turf carpet has great sensory appeal.
The surface and underlying elements of the system combine to offer a playground that is clean and quick-draining even after heavy rain, and is resistant to cutting, fire and graffiti. It also requires minimal maintenance over its long lifetime.
With the new, lightweight NottsBase EPP tiles providing a specialist base layer, ChildsPlay is ideal for fast installation and offers enhanced safety with critical fall height protection of up to three metres.
And including a ChildsPlay Education mat in the design offers further opportunities for play providers to create a stimulating and exciting learning environment.
With free advice from the experts at Notts Sport, clients can be sure of making the right design choices for their project.
Shaun commented: “Creating a ChildsPlay area is a fun and exciting project, and we offer free guidance to our customers every step of the way, ensuring they get the very best from their playground facilities.
“Our ChildsPlay Education mats offer added value to playtime as children can explore an environment designed specifically for them, having fun and learning at the same time.”
Notts Sport has the perfect solution for sport and play at Middlesborough Schools
Added on 19 July 2011
Leading UK surfacing supplier Notts Sport is a key player in a project which is transforming sport and play opportunities at primary schools in the North East.
Notts Sport, which offers a unique free Design and Advisory Service, was commissioned in conjunction with Middlesbrough Design Services to provide bespoke multi-use games areas (MUGAs) for four individual primary schools as part of Middlesbrough Council’s Primary Strategy for Change.
Two of the MUGAs - at Archibald and Ayresome Primary Schools – are now complete, providing the children with daily opportunities to get outside and enjoy healthy exercise, while the MUGAs at Beech Grove and Berwick Hills Primary Schools are being scheduled for installation.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “Both Archibald and Ayresome schools had a lack of playing field facilities and the installation of synthetic sports surfacing that have also been designed to meet recognised standards for sport and to allow recreational use has proved invaluable. As a result the children enjoy using them as part of their timetable, during breaks and for after-school activities.”
Archibald Primary School was one of the first schools to start benefiting from investment under the Primary Strategy for Change – with the MUGA occupying the site of the former kitchen and dining hall, now housed in a new build facility.
Notts Sport, in conjunction with Middlesbrough Design Services section, ensured the fencing and access arrangements could be specifically designed for the school’s requirements and the limitations of space on the site – creating a unique entrance area for teaching while still retaining a continuous perimeter rebound feature around the MUGA.
A VHAF NottsSward synthetic turf surfacing was chosen for the 31m x 15.25m system to support the school’s requirement for a pitch which could be used throughout the year for teaching, coaching and play.
The MUGA playing system, comprising a new dynamic stone foundation and a Sand Envelope System Performance Control Layer, topped with the needle-punched sand-filled VHAF NottsSward, was installed by Notts Sport’s approved contractors Cleveland Land Services.
The pitch is equipped with integral goal units for football, and can be used for small side football and hockey, netball, tennis, general ball games and aerobic activities, while the natural-looking artificial turf carpet blends in well with the adjacent grass playing field.
Meanwhile, at Ayresome Primary School, the 37m x 18.5m MUGA has entailed the installation of a new macadam base and a NottsPad SP Shockpad, topped with the VHAF NottsSward sand-filled synthetic turf.
Perimeter fencing and floodlighting have been included in the design, while line-marking and even the school’s colourful logo feature in the hard-wearing artificial turf carpet.
Shaun Patrick, chairman of Notts Sport, says: “The MUGA projects for Middlesbrough Council are transforming sport and play opportunities for children in the town, providing cost-effective facilities which can be used year-round in all weathers.
“A MUGA is the perfect solution whether refurbishing an existing facility or creating a brand new one – and because our expert Design and Advisory service is available at no additional charge to the components we supply, customers can ensure their projects are financially feasible and fully suited to their needs whether sport or play, without paying any upfront fees.”
Notts Sport customers benefit from expert advice and assistance from the design stage to installation and aftercare, while retaining full control over the characteristics and components that make up their specific facility.
The Powerplay instant cricket system really is the instant solution for Cricket
Added on 14 July 2011
Notts Sport, the world’s leading supplier of artificial cricket pitches, pulled out all the stops to deliver a school’s new portable cricket system within a week of their order – and with a day to spare before the school’s Royal visit!
When it comes to quick turn-around, Notts Sport is a clear winner – as just six days after supplying the quotation to St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury, the company had delivered a Powerplay Instant Cricket System and a portable cricket mat to the school.
What’s more, the system is so easy and quick to set up that students were able to get in some practice on the day of delivery itself – ahead of demonstrating their skills to the Countess of Wessex during her visit the following day.
Dave McGall, Head of General Education Faculty and master in charge of senior cricket, explains: “The school has only just moved into a new building and we now have four nets rather than the two we used to have in the old school.
“The old indoor mats had seen better days and gave little bounce and required taping down to be safe to use. Our building’s new floor is sprung, so it’s very forgiving for bowlers’ run-ups but does not afford much bounce for the batsman. The cricket system has been a great solution for this and also takes spin very well.
“Many thanks to Notts Sport for getting the system to us so promptly in time for our Royal visit.”
Exclusive to Notts Sport, the Powerplay Instant Cricket System opens up incredible opportunities for training and recreational matchplay on existing artificial turf surfaces – or indoors, as seen at St Bartholomew’s.
The school offers weekly cricket net practices to all years on Tuesday evenings and it’s no hassle to set up the system at the start of a session, because the pitch can be rolled out in just five minutes.
The durable synthetic turf surface of this pioneering system caters for both spin and seam, and offers good grip underfoot, while the surface colour enables the ball to be viewed more easily.
The Powerplay Instant Cricket System also comes complete with a special trolley to ensure the surface retains its shape and performance characteristics between games – and makes it easy to move, install and store.
For operators and managers of existing artificial turf facilities, it opens up a whole new range of revenue-generation possibilities.
And with many artificial turf pitches already installed under floodlights, the new system makes floodlit cricket accessible to all.
The Powerplay Instant Cricket System is particularly useful in urban environments or where traditional cricket pitches just aren’t an option and is a fantastic new way to encourage people of all ages to discover and enjoy cricket.
Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sport, said: “We pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service, and turning around the order for St Bartholomew’s School so quickly in time for their Royal visit was all part of the service.
“We’re thrilled that the school is so pleased with its new Powerplay Instant Cricket system, which is a unique way to offer cricket indoors or out, for coaching, practice and matchplay – and all set up or packed away in an instant!”
Notts Sport Celebrates 10,000th installation at Cricket Clubs grand makeover!
Added on 20 June 2011
Notts Sport, the world’s leading supplier of synthetic cricket surfacing systems, celebrated its 10,000th installation in style – at a community volunteer day to give a Derbyshire cricket club’s facilities a huge makeover.
Sawley & Long Eaton Park Cricket Club welcomed volunteers and special guests, including former England captains Michael Vaughan and Mike Gatting, to the special event at its ground in Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton.
Notts Sport was one of the event partners which converged on the club for the day to carry out a wide range of tasks to improve facilities.
One of the refurbishment projects, aptly, was the refurbishment of one of Notts Sports very first non-turf practice pitches, installed over 25 years ago. The pitch had enjoyed heavy use over the years, and was understandably in need of refurbishment.
Club members helped to lift and remove the existing playing surface from site, while Notts Sport’s installation team began work on fitting a new state-of-the-art playing surface on to the existing base work and refurbished shock pads.
The club was kindly granted £3,000 by The Lord’s Taverners charity towards the project, and during the day volunteers also assembled a mobile practice cage to use on it.
Shaun Patrick, chairman of Notts Sport, said: “Notts Sport is a big backer of the grassroots game, and so it was a real delight to be part of Sawley and Long Eaton Park Cricket Club’s project by resurfacing their existing artificial turf practice pitch.
“It was an exciting day which saw the whole community come together to improve the club’s pavilions and grounds, and it’s fantastic to have helped provide a facility which will offer great coaching and practice opportunities for years to come.”
The practice pitch refurbishment was part of an overall project which saw the club’s two pavilions redecorated, with a new brick balustrade for the pavilion serving the 3rd and 4th XI and junior teams, and an enlarged patio for the main pavilion. An old disused dressing room was refurbished for the growing female membership and an improved kitchen now includes brand new crockery and cutlery for match day teas.
The playing area has also benefited from two new sight screens and a three-pitch rain cover.
David Dooley, the club’s Volunteer Officer, said: “We had about 200 volunteers, 40 guests and 60 children down on the day and we probably completed about £60,000 worth of improvements to the club’s facilities during the event.”
“We had a great day and everything we did will have an impact on the match day and practice experience for our players. We’re really pleased with the new practice pitch and I’m sure we’ll get several great years out of this one”
Notts Sport, which has 27 years’ experience in the synthetic sports and play surfacing industry, is the world’s leading supplier of non-turf cricket pitch systems for coaching, practice and match play.
The company offers a choice of ECB-approved artificial pitches – including the NottsBase D System and Envelope System, which can be designed and installed as matchplay or practice facilities – plus bespoke systems and a range of portable training mats for indoor and outdoor use.
The World is your wicket!
Notts Sport launches the Powerplay instant cricket system
Added on 15 April 2011
Notts Sport, the world’s leading supplier of synthetic cricket pitch systems, is launching a brand new portable pitch that opens up a world of practice and matchplay opportunities for sports providers, schools, clubs and local authorities.
The Powerplay Instant Cricket System is a roll-out pitch that can be laid over almost any existing artificial turf surface, with installation typically completed in less than five minutes.
Exclusive to Notts Sport, the system is ideal for creating instant facilities for coaching and for recreational matches.
The performance layer is the key innovation within the Powerplay Instant Cricket System, delivering the realistic and consistent bounce that is unique to this solution.
The pitch surface itself has been specially designed to help players improve their technique by taking both spin and seam, while making it easy for the batsman to see the ball.
The pioneering design includes stabilising strips so that the mat lies flat, and the system includes a specially developed trolley which not only ensures the surface retains its shape and performance characteristics between uses, but also makes it easy to move, install and store.
Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sport, says: “The Powerplay Instant Cricket System is a fantastic new way to encourage people of all ages to discover and enjoy cricket, using a surface that provides similar characteristics to that of a real pitch.
“It’s especially useful in urban environments where traditional cricket pitches aren’t available, and with many artificial pitches already installed under floodlights, the system will make floodlit cricket accessible to all.
“We envisage the Powerplay Instant Cricket System will be a big hit with cricket clubs and schools seeking extra facilities or to extend their cricket season, and it’s a great option for sports providers and local authorities looking to gain extra revenue from their existing artificial sports grounds.”
The Powerplay Instant Cricket System is porous, meaning play is possible even after rain, and the mat is accessible for wheelchair users. The surface also offers good grip, and enhanced player comfort, and can be used over a range of surfaces, including 3G and 5-a-side artificial turf pitches.
Notts Sport has 27 years’ experience in the synthetic sports and play surfacing industry, and its innovations in artificial pitch systems have made it the world’s leading supplier of non-turf facilities for coaching, practice and matchplay.
The company also offers bespoke pitches designed to individual requirements and based on its ECB-approved NottsBase D System and Envelope System, as well as a range of portable training mats for indoor use.
The furture's birght for play time with Notts Sport
Added on 18 May 2011
There can now be sunshine every day in the playground – thanks to the exclusive new Sunset Orange colour launched by leading play surfacing specialist Notts Sport.
The palette of exciting shades available in Notts Sport’s world-renowned VHAF NottsSward synthetic turf surface now includes Sunset Orange, further expanding the scope for playground providers to create a stimulating environment for play.
An enhanced choice of 15 bold colours offered with Notts Sport’s market-leading range of ChildsPlay systems gives unlimited potential for patterns and shapes, from traditional playground games such as hopscotch and mazes, to energetic ‘free play’ designs.
Chairman of Notts Sport, Shaun Patrick, says: “The ability to create an environment which stimulates imaginative play is a key benefit of installing a ChildsPlay system.
“Specific colours and shapes can suggest stories and play possibilities in children’s minds and encourage them to share their play worlds with their friends.
“The launch of our vibrant orange shade adds further opportunities for innovative playground design and makes a ChildsPlay system even more attractive to landscape architects and playground providers.”
The highly adaptable ChildsPlay system is the perfect way to refurbish an existing, run-down playground or to create a brand new play area from scratch.
Mounds, slopes and hollows can be incorporated into the design – and whatever colour or form it takes, the textured, tactile VHAF NottsSward artificial turf carpet has great sensory appeal.
The surface and underlying elements of the system combine to offer a playground that is clean and quick-draining even after heavy rain, and is resistant to cutting, fire and graffiti. It also requires minimal maintenance over its long lifetime.
With the new, lightweight NottsBase EPP tiles providing a specialist base layer, ChildsPlay is ideal for fast installation and offers enhanced safety with critical fall height protection of up to three metres.
And with free advice from the experts at Notts Sport, playground providers will be sure of making the right design choices for their project.
A key benefit to customers throughout the company’s history has been that its design, development and project management services are offered to schools and sports facility providers at no additional cost to the supply of the synthetic components.
This unique approach gives clients the best chance possible of achieving their project goals, minimises the risk of wasting money on a project that doesn’t come to fruition, and makes specialist expertise available without expensive development fees.
Shaun commented: “The expansion of our colour range enhances the opportunities for schools and playground providers to create an inspirational environment for their children’s play.
“Our clients can select from prepared designs, or create their own ideas, that can be brought to life using laser technology, to make sure their project fulfils the needs of the children who will use it.
“Creating a ChildsPlay area is a fun and exciting project, and we offer free advice to guide our customers every step of the way, ensuring they get the very best from their playground facilities.”
ChildsPlay Actice from Notts Sport is the ultimate new 'outdoor classroom'
Added on 24 March 2011
Notts Sport has launched ChildsPlay Active, the latest innovative and cost-effective product in its popular children’s play range.
Designed to encourage youngsters to enjoy more energetic and healthier lifestyles, ChildsPlay Active synthetic turf surfacing combines opportunities for sports, play and education in one space. This enables schools, architects and play providers around the UK to create the ultimate ‘outdoor classroom’ without overstretching their budgets.
The unique Notts Sport product can be designed using up to 15 colours and to include lines and markings for traditional playground and ball games. The surface can also incorporate shapes, patterns, letters and numbers whilst an innovative range of educational mats are designed to stimulate learning, meeting elements of Upper Foundation Stages and Key Stages 1 and 2 through imaginative free play as well as structured activities.
While it costs no more than other play surfacing products, ChildsPlay Active is guaranteed to be a long-lasting option, with stronger seams ensuring less maintenance is needed over its lifetime – and it comes with the reassurance of a seven-year warranty.
Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sport, says: “ChildsPlay Active offers the chance to design an outdoor surface that is mentally and physically stimulating for children, with the scope to add themes and games that encourage thought, learning, exercise, social interaction and friendship, while incorporating key elements of the National Curriculum.
“By enriching children’s opportunities for sports, play and education, even when space or budgets are tight, we can increase their opportunity to enjoy healthy exercise while developing the social bonds that are crucial to emotional development.”
Available in a range of 15 shades, ChildsPlay Active is suitable for use in urban and rural situations, and mounds, slopes and hollows can be incorporated into the surface design, enabling children to use different movements and muscles and to test their balance.
The specialist synthetic turf is accessible to youngsters with all levels of physical ability, and minimal energy is needed for wheelchair users to move across the surface, which is designed to meet the North American ASTM standard (F1951-99). With no equivalent European (EN) standard yet in force, ChildsPlay Active is ahead of the game in providing play for all.
By offering a higher level of inclusivity, all young people have the chance to exercise, interact and have fun together outside the classroom.
The innovative, porous design of the synthetic turf surface makes puddles a thing of the past and ensures a facility that can be used even after heavy rain. It also offers high levels of resistance to vandalism.
Notts Sport provides a unique project management and design service ‘at risk’ to its customers, and with no upfront fees to pay, customers can ensure their project is feasible and fully suited to their needs before making an investment.
The company, which has over 26 years of experience in the sports and play surfacing sector, also assures full quality control and minimal disruption throughout the installation of ChildsPlay Active, through its approved network of trained, qualified distributors.
Further information on Notts Sport’s sports and play surfacing products is available by calling 01455 883 730 or by visiting www.nottssport.com
