10 Flicx Pitch highlights of 2019; Our favourite case studies…

As another year flies past, we take a moment to review 10 Flicx Pitch highlights from 2019, a year which saw record 2G Flicx Pitch sales and the standard of cricket improving in nations including Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Uruguary, Timor Leste, France and Denmark thanks to the world’s most portable cricket wicket.

In addition England’s success in the Cricket World Cup as well as a lack of adequate playing facilities globally has seen numerous clubs, councils, independent and state schools turning to Flicx to create additional match and practice capacity outdoors and in the nets whilst having the added benefit of also gaining a superior performing indoor mat. The power of cricket as a vehicle to change lives shines through which has been evident since day 1 of the Flicx pitches development in 1997 and this shines through with valued partnerships in place with prominent cricket associations and charities. Here is some of our 2019 success stories …

1.Holywood Cricket Club

If ever there was an advert for the versatility of the 2G Flicx Pitch, Holywood Cricket Club in Northern Ireland is it! Thanks to the work of dedicated club volunteers, Holywood CC has experienced astonishing growth especially with their juniors and ladies sides. Holywood use their 2 x 2G Flicx Pitches which are both bespoke designs to host all their junior cricket matches on their outfield as well as senior matches as a second square and training in the nets. (Read More)

“The 2G Flicx Pitch has met all our expectations, it’s a great product and requires less ground preparation and maintenance versus preparing a natural turf wicket. It’s very functional and there is similar performance to astro, without the expense or groundworks” – William Belford

2. Iceland Cricket “The most northerly cricket ground in the world” 

Thanks to their win in our Flicx Pitch Pitch competition, Iceland Cricket won a 2G Flicx Pitch which they used to create the world’s most northerly cricket ground. This picturesque setting inspired a T20 century from Dushan Bandara (107* off 57 balls with 9 fours and 9 sixes) and the standard of cricket now possible in the country has been transformed whilst to mark the grounds official opening, the Iceland Prime Minster had a bat! (Read More)

In 2020 Iceland will be hosting the world’s weirdest cricket tournament. The final will take place under the midnight sun at the most northerly cricket ground on Earth. The price is all-inclusive: food, transport, accommodation and flights. Iceland and back again in 24 hours. (Learn More)

3. Timor Leste “More than a cricket pitch, an enabler to change lives”

When British born New Zealander Mark Young undertook a volunteer project work placement overseas he stumbled across some Timorese playing cricket so decided to help. He sourced second hand equipment and numbers grew to 100 so his next challenge was to source a suitable playing area.

The appeal of the 2G Flicx Pitch was really having a portable pitch that could be taken around the city that would make conditions closer to that of a real wicket. Mark managed to secure funding from VSA and the pitch has been working really well and games have seen a lot more runs being scored as the pitch is true and batters can really play their shots in confidence.

“The standard of batting has improved significantly in just a short time”

4.Germany – Supporting the growth of cricket

Flicx Pitches are crucial to the growth of cricket in Germany according to CCB Bayern. Cricket in Germany is growing at a rapid pace with the Bayern Province for example expanding from 6 teams in 2013 to now 40 in 2019!!

Finding suitable facilities for cricket can be a challenge in Germany and typically grass football pitches or parks owned by the council are turned into cricket ovals over the summer season. (Read More)

“Our 2G Flicx Pitch is really good. Our bowlers really like it and we have achieved considerable success this season with the bat. It’s similar to Australian conditions so the pitch is firm and quick. We are excited to improve things further by levelling off the base on which the 2G Flicx Pitch is laid and hopefully that will see continued success for the club. Playing on a Flicx Pitch is a really great and cost-effective option for us and we are very happy with our pitches performance” – Soundar Alagesan

5.Australia “Flicx Pitches to support Junior Formats”

Flicx were delighted to supply Cricket Australia with a container of bespoke junior Multi Age Pitches which partner clubs will be using to host junior format games. Shorter pitches mean more runs, more action and more fun which is hoped will attract and retain more youngsters in the game. With associations and councils struggling for suitable space particularly in urban areas, the 2G Flicx Pitch will allow multiple junior games to take place at one time. The first clubs will receive their pitches very shortly, although some clubs and schools within SACA are already have matches underway.

6.Middlesex Funding 

Clubs and schools in Middlesex will be able to access funding to purchase Flicx Cricket pitches thanks to new investment from the Grange Farm Centre Trust. The new initiative with Middlesex Cricket and the Grange Farm Centre Trust will enable more young people to access, participate and thrive through playing the game of cricket.

The Grange Farm Centre Trust will be providing funding to support Middlesex clubs, schools and community programmes to purchase Flicx Cricket pitches to create new and additional environments for children to play. (Read More)

7.Padstow Sandbar – Beach Cricket Festival 

Flicx UK supplied a Beach Cricket Pitch to enable a historic charity match to take place. For the first time, last summer, cricket was played on the sandbar in Padstow. The Padstow Town Sand Bar sits between Padstow and Rock and is visible at low tide. Teams and officials were taken out to the Bar by the Padstow to Rock ferry then two local teams from the Golden Lion Pub and the Padstow Social Club played a match. The 2G Flicx Pitch is no stranger to hosting Beach Cricket matches and festivals. Scarborough hosts an annual beach cricket event run by Cricket Yorkshire whilst the Sydney Sixers have a Beach Blast event each year in the build up to the Big Bash. Using a Flicx mat ensures you have a firm, flat surface whilst sponsors can maximise their awareness with branded colourful pitches or shorter batting ends which can be easily rolled up.

8.Southern Districts CC – Longevity

The durability and longevity of the Flicx Pitch was illustrated as an original Flicx Pitch dating from the late nineties was found and brought back into service by SDCC near Darwin for their Grade A senior nets. The groundsman didn’t want any wear or damage to their main square during training but the batters wanted a realistic match like surface to bat on so a Flicx batting end was set up with the bowlers delivering on grass to find the perfect solution for all parties. “The used wicket alone is too soft for batting, but the Flicx Pitch rolled out on top provides a firm, flat surface and so is the best alternative for the club” (Read More)

9.Essex Cricket Tapeball Festival 

One of the most popular community cricket initiatives run by Essex Cricket Foundation is their annual Tape ball Cricket festival which has been held on the pitch at Leyton Orient FC’s Brisbane Road ground.

To bring additional realism and a higher quality playing surface, 2 Flicx Batting Ends have been used at the event for the past two years with players able to attack the ball and play big shots with confidence. (Read More)

10.Wicketz (Flicx Pitch highlights of 2019)

Wicketz is a community cricket programme targeting young people across the UK living in areas of deprivation and hard to reach groups. Our aim is to establish sustainable community hubs that provide year-round weekly sessions with a focus on developing crucial life skills and tackling issues that are prevalent to the local community.

Often in the areas of high deprivation that we are working, there is a distinct lack of green space. Wicketz needs this green space to try and establish a ‘home’ for Wicketz in the community. By providing 2G Flicx pitches to some of these communities it will enable us to build a thriving community hub that has long-term prospects. 6 Flicx pitches are now utilised at hubs around and country and create more opportunity to more young people from these areas that need sporting provision the most.

Our blog is regularly updated with stories and case studies from 2G Flicx Pitch customers. If you would like to feature simply contact kate@flicx.com or tag us in your social media posts @FlicxPitch on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To view the 2G Flicx Pitch range click here or get a quote.