Creating Additional Cricket Nets at Cathedral School with a 2G Flicx Pitch

At Cathedral School in Cardiff, cricket is a major part of school life. With teams in every year group for both boys and girls, plus strong Sixth Form XIs, demand for facilities is high throughout the academic year.

To support this growing programme, the school invested in a Cathedral School-branded 14m x 1.8m Junior Match 2G Flicx Pitch — a decision that has significantly increased their cricket capacity and flexibility.

Rather than simply maintaining existing facilities, the school used the Flicx Pitch to create additional cricket nets and expand training opportunities across all age groups.

Cathedral School is an independent co-educational school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Llandaff, just north of Cardiff city centre. With around 800 pupils, it may not be one of the largest schools in Wales, but it runs an exceptionally strong cricket programme.

The school maintains two grass cricket squares — Junior and Senior — but like many schools, also uses external venues such as Pentyrch Cricket Club and Cardiff Metropolitan University to fulfil fixture demand. With so many teams competing and training, increasing facility access was a key priority.

The Challenge: Limited Permanent Net Facilities

Despite having two well-maintained squares, Cathedral School did not have permanent artificial net facilities. This created challenges when:

• Grass squares were unavailable due to weather
• Pre-season training needed to begin early
• Multiple teams required simultaneous practice
• Junior fixtures were hosted at satellite venues

To continue growing the game — particularly girls’ cricket — the school needed a flexible solution that could increase usable training space instantly.

The Solution: Creating Extra Nets with a 2G Flicx Pitch

Head of Sport, Mark Barrington, purchased the 2G Flicx Pitch with support from the school’s Parents Association. The goal was simple: increase cricket capacity across the whole school.

The impact was immediate.

1️⃣ Turning Outfields into Net Facilities

The portable 2G Flicx Pitch was used as batting ends on the outfield alongside roll-out nets — effectively creating temporary artificial cricket nets without permanent installation.

This allowed:

• 1st and 2nd XI pre-season nets to start earlier
• Additional junior training sessions to run simultaneously
• Grass squares to be protected and preserved

“The adaptability to keep training with the help of the Flicx Pitch providing extra facilities has made cricket nets possible this year.”

2️⃣ Portable Nets at Satellite Venues

Because the 2G Flicx Pitch is easy to transport and install, Cathedral School has also used it at off-site venues when hosting junior fixtures.

“The 2G Flicx Pitch has been moved a lot. Its ease of transport has been great for us using it at satellite venues for junior fixtures.”

This portability means the school can create consistent playing conditions wherever they play — maintaining standards across all age groups.

3️⃣ Consistent Performance for All Players

The performance of the surface has been key to its success. Whether used for nets, training or matches, the pitch provides reliable bounce and realistic playing characteristics.

“The performance of the surface is exactly what you would expect of any artificial or grass wicket. Providing consistent bounce, good carry and grip for seam and spin bowlers; and giving batsmen confidence.”

This consistency is particularly important for developing young players and supporting competitive school cricket.

Growing the Game — Especially Girls’ Cricket. One of the most significant outcomes has been increased capacity for girls’ cricket. By creating more usable net space, Cathedral School has been able to expand participation and training access.

“Along with supporting the cricket programme to take place this year, the 2G Flicx Pitch has also been a catalyst for Girls Cricket at the school. Providing more facilities and more capacity to grow the game.”

More facilities equals more opportunity — and that has directly supported programme growth.

Wider Impact in the Local Cricket Community

The visibility of the Flicx Pitch at school fixtures and local clubs has generated interest beyond Cathedral School.

“The pitch has been such a hit with us that Pentyrch Cricket Club, where myself and my sons play, are looking into a 2G Flicx Pitch for the club.”

By demonstrating its versatility in real school environments, Cathedral School has helped showcase how portable artificial wickets can transform training access.

A Flexible Facility Investment That Delivers

For Cathedral School, the 2G Flicx Pitch has delivered:

• Additional cricket nets without permanent installation
• Greater training capacity across age groups
• Protection of grass squares
• Portability for off-site fixtures
• Expansion of girls’ cricket
• Consistent, high-quality playing performance

It has enabled the school to increase cricket provision without major infrastructure works — making it a smart, future-focused facility investment.

Interested in Creating More Nets at Your School?

Flicx UK offers special branding packages for schools (worth over £250), allowing you to personalise your 2G Flicx Pitch with your school crest — just like Cathedral School.

If you’re looking to:

• Increase cricket training capacity
• Create additional net lanes
• Expand girls’ cricket
• Protect your grass squares
• Add flexible facilities without permanent build costs

Get in touch with Flicx UK today: Make cricket possible. Expand the game. Create more nets.

📧 sales@flicx.com
📞 +44 (0)1295 816765