It is honest to say that the past year has been tough in a variety of sectors, and two areas that have been affected are education and sport. When both of these meet in a school setting for cricket, planning accordingly and adjusting to the ever changing regulations becomes hard. This is where Cathedral School in Cardiff, Wales rose above the pandemic and adapted to their situation – Creating extra cricket nets!
About Cathedral School, Cardiff
Cathedral School is an independent school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 based in Llandaff, a district north of the Wales’ capital Cardiff and just a stone’s throw from Llandaff Cathedral and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Boasting a student population of around 800 juniors and seniors, Cathedral School is not a large school by population. However, fields cricket teams in every year group for boys and girls, plus a 1st XI and almost 2nd XI in the Sixth Forms.
Even though the Grounds Department at Cathedral School maintain two cricket squares (Junior & Senior squares). They still utilise surrounding sports facilities, as most schools do, to host fixtures – Making use of facilities at Pentyrch Cricket Club as well as Cardiff Met University.
Cathedral School and their 2G Flicx Pitch
Mark Barrington, Head of Sport at Cathedral School, purchased a Cathedral School branded 14 metre x 1.8 metre Junior Match Pitch in mid March 2020, with help from the Parents Association at the School. Originally with the funding approved for another area of the Sports department, the money was redirected in light of the pandemic making certain sports unplayable. With stress on the funding being used for the whole school’s benefit, an artificial cricket wicket was perfect for making Boys’ and Girls’ games Cricket possible and expanding the sport when it was able to resume.
With cricket fixtures playable in the Michaelmas Term, Cricket at Cathedral School was good to go for the new 2020/2021 academic year. However, with the late Welsh summer weather turning, Mark was forced to adapt for 1st and 2nd XI pre-season nets in August when the main senior square was unfit for use. With no permanent artificial net facilities, this is where the 2G Flicx Pitch they had bought was able to flex its guns, being used as two batting ends on the outfield along with roll out nets.
After the particularly wet weather it has been wonderful to have been able to put down our new @FlicxPitch batting ends with our 1st XI today #cslsport @CricketWales pic.twitter.com/3jZyyNPH8k
— Cathedral School Sport (@cslcardiffsport) August 26, 2020
When the rest of the school came back in September 2020, the cricket department was able to use their 2G Flicx Pitch both onsite at Cardiff Road, as well as off site as a satellite venue for fixtures in the junior section at cricket clubs in the area!
Thank you to @StFagansCricket and @CardiffValeCric for today’s fixtures. Great to be able to get the U11 game on our @FlicxPitch #cslsportÂ
Since transporting the 2G Flicx Pitch to other facilities at cricket clubs, this has drawn interest to the pitch locally with more schools and clubs looking into a Flicx Pitch for themselves.
Talking with Mark Barrington, Head of Sport at Cathedral School
We met with Mark Barrington, virtually, on Friday 5th February 2021 to ask about how Cathedral School has been getting on with their Junior Match Pitch and what they think of its performance. Here are a few of Mark’s comments on the pitch for the School:
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“The 2G Flicx Pitch has been moved a lot, it’s ease of transport has been great for us using it at satellite venues for junior fixtures.”
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“The adaptability to keep training with the help of the Flicx Pitch providing extra facilities during the pandemic has made cricket nets possible this year”
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“The performance of the surface is exactly what you would expect of any artificial or grass wicket. Providing a consistent bounce, good carry and grip for seam and spin bowlers; and giving batsmen confidence.”
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“The pitch has been so much of hit with us that Pentyrch Cricket Club, where myself and my sons play at, are looking into a 2G Flicx Pitch for the club.”
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“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.”
A big thanks to Mark Barrington, Head of Sport at Cathedral School Sport, for his time; as well as imagery on social media and promoting the 2G Flicx Pitch in the local area through superb use. This case study of the 2G Flicx Pitches application is just what founder Richard Beghin envisaged with Flicx! Making cricket possible and expanding the game for all!
Did you know that Flicx UK have a special offer for school on 2G Flicx Pitch branding? Worth over ÂŁ250!
Cathedral School made the choice to make their 2G Flicx Pitch their own with the Cathedral School crest! Check out the pre manufacture mockup below!
If you are interested in a 2G Flicx Pitch and personalising your very own artificial cricket wicket to make it your own, please do not hesitate to contact us! Use our LiveChat on our website or contact us directly by emailing sales@flicx.com or calling Flicx UK HQ on +44 (0)1295 816765