It’s been a busy start to 2019 for Dura-Sport’s cricket department. Extended periods of good weather during spring and early summer has allowed them to construct a large number of non-turf cricket projects for clubs, schools, councils, universities and private clients.
Following a successful period of research and development in 2018, Dura-Sport’s 2019 non-turf cricket facilities have incorporated new enhanced design features, construction techniques and material upgrades, as they proudly continue to offer clients a range of the very best products available in the industry for their projects.
Dura-Sport’s non-turf cricket projects have always been varied and interesting, and 2019 is proving no different. They have provided facilities for a wide range of clients this year in locations throughout England and Wales, from village greens and primary schools to urban cricket clubs and International Test Venues.
Dura-Sport’s Original “Vision”
The concept of a natural straw-coloured non-turf pitch was first conceived by Dura-Sport during 2013. Further research and development were undertaken before their DSi-weave carpet was manufactured using a natural straw-coloured yarn and tested accordingly. In 2015, Market Harborough Cricket Club of Leicestershire kindly agreed to showcase the new product, replacing their original four lane practice facility built by Dura-Sport in 2001 with the new Vision system. Four years on and the facility is still serving the club members well, whilst receiving admiring glances from opposing clubs and potential visiting clients.
Since 2015, a good number of clubs and private clients have followed Market Harborough Cricket Club’s lead and opted for the natural coloured DSi-weave carpet. Further product development during 2018 has seen Dura-Sport produce the 2nd generation of the ECB Approved DSi-pro Vision system, which has featured predominantly in their non-turf cricket installations during 2019.
2019 Vision Projects
As in recent years, the majority of Dura-Sport’s 2019 clients have opted for the Vision system. These include Long Itchington Cricket Club in Warwickshire, who they worked closely with to develop and complete a twin lane open ended Vision facility prior to the beginning of the new season, whilst Potton Town Cricket Club of Bedfordshire opted for a fully enclosed and lockable design to replace their existing open ended nets. Following construction of four lane Vision facilities at both Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester and The Northern Club in Liverpool, the product has gained further popularity in the North West of England this year, with various designs constructed at clubs, including twin bay facilities at New Longton Cricket Club in Preston, Enfield Cricket Club in Accrington and Mawdesley Cricket Club in Ormskirk.
With twelve further lanes already ordered by clients and scheduled for Summer and Autumn builds, The ECB Approved DSi-pro Vision system has once again proved to be Dura-Sport’s most popular non-turf system for the third year running.
Continuing with Tradition
The traditional dark green DSi-weave has also remained a popular choice this year. Dura-Sport have secured multiple non-turf pitch and maintenance contracts with Local Authorities in South Wales, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and the Midlands, which have kept them busy installing the ECB Approved DSi-pro system, recommended in particular in public parks and open unsecured grounds for its strength, durability and spike resistance. DSi-pro non-turf pitches and practice facilities have also remained popular this year at clubs and schools, with installations throughout England and Wales, from Durham to Devon and Neath to Norfolk.
Off the Field
Dura-Sport have continued to improve their in-house installation teams by providing further specialist training to their already highly skilled and experienced employees to keep them up to date with the very latest onsite requirements, kite marks and qualifications. The company has also added several new members of staff this year, all of whom have previous experience within the synthetic sports pitch industry. Employing additional team members has allowed Dura-Sport to increase the number of installation teams working across the UK to meet higher demand and reduce lead times.
In addition, this year has seen the appointment of a new Contracts Manager at Dura-Sport, with over 20 years of industry experience to his name. His industry knowledge, client interaction and site and staff management have provided a great deal of support to the cricket department and the Company Directors, as well as the installation teams.
Future Developments
2020 will see the company celebrate their 25th year in business. During that time, they have designed, supplied and constructed thousands of non-turf cricket pitches, multi-use areas and practice facilities for a wide range of clients, which is something that they are very proud of.
Further research and development during 2019 means that plans are already in place to make their 25th year the biggest and most significant to date. A range of “test beds” have been installed at clubs in preparation for 2020, with ongoing laboratory testing and assessment of new products by end users. It is hoped that the feedback received will allow Dura-Sport to further enhance the products and service they provide as they enter their 25th year in the synthetic sports pitch and non-turf cricket industry.
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