[ Skip to content ]
Added on 23 December 2008
We're quite excited here at Notts Sport! All Out Cricket, one of our favourite cricket magazines has launched a new website.
If you're looking for up to date news over Christmas on the England tour take a peek at the following link http://www.alloutcricket.com/
Merry Christmas from all at Notts Sport!
Added on 04 December 2008
Notts Sport is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Avery to the position of Buying Manager.
Richard has worked with Notts Sport for six years and has recently been responsible for project management of National cricket schemes. In particular, he has been instrumental in securing and managing Community Development Program and Chance to shine contracts over the last four years.
Andy Carter, Chief Executive of Notts Sport comments:
"We are delighted to have someone with Richard's skills. He has a proven track record in delivering complex projects with impressive results. Our success is determined by the quality and value for money of the products we offer our customers. Richard's new resposnisbilities are absolutely vital as we look to further expand the business in Europe and the rest of the world. We need people like Richard to help us achieve our objectives."
Richard Avery says:
"I am really excited at this opportunity and look forward to the new challenges it brings. It will also be interesting to contribute to another part of the Notts Sport business."
Added on 17 November 2008
We are pleased to announce an addition to our Notts Sport team. Andy Carter has accepted Shaun's offer to take on the role of Chief Executive and joins us to lead the company's expansion in the UK, while Shaun moves to Chairman and will further grow the company's overseas operation. Andy was asked to join the team after carrying out a review of the company in autumn 2008. Andy is no stranger to steering companies through their continued development. The former Managing Director of Midlands-based sport kits supplier Club Sports Outfitters Ltd has also established new brands from start-up level in the UK, including Team Tex (UK) Ltd, which supplies child safety seats. We wish him well in his new role and welcome him to the team.
Added on 14 November 2008
The latest issue of ‘Europe News' the official newsletter of the International Cricket Council Development Program - Europe this month features Notts Sport.
For over ten years, we have worked with the ICC team to help introduce and develop the game throughout Continental Europe. As ‘Preferred Supplier of Non-turf Cricket Pitches', our responsibility is to advise Program member countries on the best design and specification of artificial matchplay and practice pitches, supply the relevant components and provide local installation training and supervision where necessary.
The latter inevitably involves Simon ‘The Magician' Glover, our Technical Installation Manager, packing his suitcase and setting off for yet another early morning flight from Luton or Stansted or East Midlands or.......... Simon's work and reputation among his customer are almost legendary - there's virtually nothing he doesn't know about artificial pitches or any site problem he can't overcome.
Simon is one of the reasons why our partnership with the much vaunted ICC Development Program - Europe has been so successful and enduring. And has put us firmly in the spotlight of cricket.
www.cricketeurope2.net/docs/ECC/NEWSLETTER/issue94.pdf
Added on 06 November 2008
Notts Sport were approached by North Kilworth Primary School to offer some help on a school project. How maths is fun, useful and used in more occupations than just accountancy and teaching.
Last Wednesday Andy & Nick popped in to talk to the children about how we use numbers. The plan was to show them how we calculate specifications for cricket pitches and then get the kids onto their sports pitch and let them measure out an area and show them how we would translate that into a drawing.
After introductions, the children were offered the chance to ask Andy and Nick maths related questions...
"How many times older than Nick are you"
"How much do you earn?"
"Is business a rip off?"
"Can I have a ride in your car"
"How much profit do you make and why?"
"Are you the boss of everybody in the world?"
"How much are our samples worth?"
And... "Can we sell them on eBay?"
Nick swiftly took the class outside and measured out a cricket match wicket, In the pouring rain he showed the children how to use a measuring wheel and tape measure.
Once completed they packed up and went inside where the children worked out the area of the cricket pitch they had just measured outside and calculated the areas of NottsWeave, NottsPad and NottsBase components. From this they then included a square metre cost of the materials and together they worked out the cost of the cricket pitch materials.
The class then moved onto volume, looking at how many boxes can fit within a container.
Their new set task, over the next four weeks, is to make a scale model of synthetic cricket pitch. Andy will go back and judge each model and award a prize to the best one. However Andy isn't sure Oli, who asked the eBay question, will still have the materials available to make the model...
Andy and Nick are now honorary members of Class 4A.
All in all it was a fun and informative afternoon, we are yet to determine who learnt more Andy and Nick or class 4A of North Kilworth Primary School!
Many thanks to North Kilworth Primary for having them!
Added on 27 October 2008
So many sports and play facilities are kept in tip-top condition - even when winter bites.
For that we have to hand it to the formidable bunch of groundsmen, park keepers and volunteers - who carry out a sterling job in all weathers.
With a little attention during the quiet months, the effects of winter on non-turf surfaces can be negated, saving clubs and operators time and money in the long-run.
It doesn't take much time or effort, and by starting now you can help prevent bigger problems from occurring later in the life of the facility.
To get you started, here are a few quick jobs that can be carried out on all of our surfaces.
· Brush away leaves, pine needles and grass clippings which encourage moss and algae growth and can result in a slippery and dangerous surface.
· If moss and algae becomes established, treat the surface using a prophylactic non-oil-based moss killer and algaecide and brush away the resulting dead matter.
· Natural grass surrounds to a non-turf cricket pitch should be kept short to prevent them encroaching onto the surface and causing rucking in the carpet. Use a cylinder mower or nylon-blade strimmer to avoid damage to the synthetic surface. Collect clippings to avoid them being blown or walked onto the facility.
We can advise on a full, easy-to-follow winter maintenance schedule for synthetic cricket surfaces, football and hockey pitches, tennis courts, multi-use games and play areas. We can also recommend specialists in your area to carry out any additional maintenance work for your facility. To find out more, please get in touch via our Contact page.
Added on 20 October 2008
Amazing architecture deserves an energetic playmate, and that's just what's been achieved at a new nursery in Poland.
We've helped to kit out the colourful Korzona Street Nursery in Warsaw with our ChildsPlay surfacing, offering a safer and more interesting alternative to asphalt.
The brightly patterned surface accompanies traditional swings, slides and climbing frames, as well as offering a ‘free play' environment with patterns to encourage children to use their imaginations.
Korzona Street is the first of a programme of new nurseries being built throughout Poland.
Added on 13 October 2008
We're helping Anston Cricket Club members to be good sports - both on and off the pitch.
The South Yorks club, which formed in 1919, lies close to homes between the villages of North Anston and South Anston.
And so when members decided to turn part of the car park into a three-bay practice facility, local planners insisted on measures to minimise noise - and the club approached us for sound advice about keeping their neighbours happy.
As part of the design for the 28-metre practice wickets, cage and perimeter fencing, our cricket distributor for the north Pinnacle Sport & Play Ltd, included acoustic fencing along two sides to reduce the transmission of sound during training sessions.
This summer the club's had plenty to celebrate, with some fantastic wins in the Bassetlaw League and guest player New Zealand fast-bowler Iain O'Brien joining the 1st XI for two matches - but since it's harder to hear Anston these days, we thought we'd help announce their success by blog!
Added on 07 October 2008
The sky's the limit when we create a new playground - and never more so than at our latest installation on a vast roof terrace in Italy.
It was designed for a privately run nursery in the southern city of Consenza, and the spacious rooftop has been given the complete ChildsPlay treatment - carpeted wall to wall with our vibrant synthetic turf and topped with amazing activities, including a tricycle track complete with ‘tunnel' and giant noughts and crosses!
It's the first time we've worked in this region of Italy, but thanks to our Italian distributers, TLF, we think we've helped crack the age-old issue of fitting appealing play areas into urban environments.
Added on 15 September 2008
When a children's play area becomes the target of vandals, it's important to select a solution which stands up to their actions.
That's a key reason why our ChildsPlay surfacing was chosen by Rochdale Borough Council for the new Darnhill Adventure Playground.
Replacing the badly damaged former facility, different grades of our durable ChildsPlay system have been installed under each piece of equipment, helping to protect children from fall heights ranging from 1.2m up to 3m. The rest of the area is infilled with ChildsPlay recreation, offering the same vandal-resistant qualities and smart finish.
It didn't take long before arsonists put the new installation to the test, piling rubbish on the area and setting it alight in June.
ChildsPlay's fire-resistant qualities prevented extensive damage, meaning less time and expense for the council, which has now made this its preferred surface for future facilities.
Added on 08 September 2008
The Envelope non-turf pitch at Narborough CC was a winner for Notts Sport in more ways than one on Sunday, as not only did the superb installation allow play between Notts Sport and Dura Sport to take place on a wet day, but Notts Sport won the game too!
On Friday afternoon at work, watching water cascade down the side of our head office, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that the first annual cricket match we had organised against Dura Sport on Sunday afternoon was not going to happen. Saturday bought no respite from the weather, and neither did Sunday morning. Then the text came through from our opponents: "Get your boys ready for some cricket. The sun is out at Narborough CC, although it's a little moist under foot"
Word soon got round that the game was on and the Notts Sport team were ready and raring to go, (if not slightly bleary eyed after a "practice session" on the Saturday evening, organised by Shaun, became much more of a drinking and curry session, including Nick McLaren "taking on" a very fiery chilli and instantly regretting it.)
After looking overhead at the cloudy day and predicting a damp track, I decided if I won the toss I would put Dura Sport into bat. Then as we got to the ground, Rich Key of Dura Sport declared: "we're not tossing a coin, we're going to play on the Notts Sport artificial pitch, and you boys are batting first..." as I was about to claim that the lack of a coin toss was unfair he finished the sentence with "...because if we field first John Ward can light the barbecue and get the food on for the end of the game.".....Sold.
Opening the batting for Notts Sport was Simon "I'm gonna belt it everywhere" Glover, and James "this cricket lark is easy, all you have to do is hit it and run" Jeyes.... James lasted two balls. Mark Coeshaw, resplendent in white tracksuit bottoms, a grey hoody and bi focal sunglasses, strolled in next, and in his fantastic laid back manner played some lovely unorthodox but effective shots. Nick McLaren joined him at the crease when Simon "slogged" one in the air and was caught, and the runs started to tick over nicely, until Nick, fresh faced from University and 22 years young, fell to the floor with cramp and limped his way through the next 2 overs with Rich Avery, who had replaced Coe at the crease. The runs kept ticking on and our initial target score of 75ish was passed and we were heading for 100 or more. When Nick got out it was my turn at the crease and I decided that stroke play was out of the window and it was slogging time, because:
a. We had 3 overs left and
b. I have no strokes.
I left the first two wides, bowled by Chris Stevenson, then hit the next ball for two. The groin went. I hit the next for two as well and was now limping. Rich Avery at the other end, was pounding up and down the crease as if he was on a treadmill at David Lloyd. With an over left Rich was bowled and Andy Stevenson joined me at the crease, smacking a brilliant 10 off 5 balls to leave us with a total of 93 off 20 overs.
As Dura Sport had 14 fielders we decided that we would add to our numbers, so Shaun's lads Will and Jack donned the white flannels as we headed out to field. As I had played in goal most of my life I decided to wicket keep. "Can't be that much different" I thought, "and I did used to do it when I was a kid". First ball: straight through my legs for a bye. Second ball: smacks me on the inside of the leg. Third ball: An edge hits me on the wrist and I drop it. Not the greatest of starts and I don't think Matt Prior would be too concerned at this point, but from then on it got much better.
Duncan "bomber" Bennett opened the bowling from the top end and was causing Dura Sports opening batsman "The Doc" some concern. Tony Berridge was complimenting him perfectly with some on the spot bowling at the other end, and soon the wickets were falling. We were all still waiting for Dura Sports main man, Rich Key, to join us in the middle. When it was finally the self named "master"s turn, he was greeted to a guard of honour as he reached the crease. Two or three Notts Sport bowlers had a go at Key, but he was knocking the ball around nicely and picking up some boundaries. We needed to slow the scoring down. It was time for the spin king Berridge to be brought back on. The first ball went down the track literally in slow motion. Key played forward, there was a thumping sound as it hit his pad, a huge appeal went up from all of us, and Shaun, in his role as very unbiased umpire, sent the trigger finger up into the sky to jubilant scenes from the Notts Sport fielders.
The game was getting tight. Then some good bowling from Simon Clare, James, Zec, Will and Jack kept the score down. With 3 overs remaining the game was still in the balance, but was still swinging our way. We knew that the other Dura Sport danger man, Shaun Young, was in next. With this in mind the Notts Sport fielders obviously decided that if the ball was looped in the air to them nice and slowly, and they were underneath it, they would deliberately drop the ball to the floor to prevent Shaun from coming in. A superb and cunning tactic which we adopted over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.
With one over left and Dura Sport needing 14 runs to win off 6 balls, the question was asked: "who fancies stepping up and bowling the decisive over?"...Zec volunteered for the hero or villain role. Beardy, at the strikers end and holding a cricket bat for the first time in his life, gave it a real go, including a huge 6 off the final delivery. But Notts Sport, after a bit of finger and toe counting, had won the game by just 3 runs.
So after 10 days of torrential rain, the sun came out for 3 hours on Sunday afternoon and everybody involved had a fantastic time.
And as the food and beers flowed after the game, kids and adults enjoyed the bouncy castle, and the sound system blasted out some tunes, we were reminded that this is England as there was a rumble from above and the heavens opened again.
But by this time the trophy was ours and the day was a roaring success.
Lee Jacques, Team Captain & Cricket Sales Manager
Added on 08 September 2008
We're keeping our fingers crossed that we can fly the flag for Whitaker Park playground - a new installation that's up for an industry award.
The project to enhance kids' play in Rawtenstall, Lancashire has been put forward for a prestigious Green Flag award, after breathing life into the local park.
Our part in the project was to roll out our popular ChildsPlay System to provide a safer surfacing under the new equipment, which includes slides, swings, activity nets and climbing frames.
The completed facility is now a jewel in Whitaker Park's crown, and we'll hear later this year whether it gains a Green Flag.
Added on 01 September 2008
When we Brits think of Detroit certain things spring to mind... motors, sports (ok, maybe that's just me), and movies featuring some pretty violent crimes.
So what better place for me to spend a night on the town?
In Michigan to oversee some surfacing systems testing, I met up with SurfacePlay's Dan Pereault from Detroit and his local installer José (my multi-talented new amigo who also plays in a Mariachi band).
Whisked from the safety of my hotel, we drove through areas which made the backstreets of Moss Side look twee, while José happily pointed out the bars he's played in - and by his account his music's often accompanied by the locals participating in knife fights and shootings.
It was with no small sigh of relief when we finally arrived at the restaurant, safe and in one piece, and once inside the meal turned out to be the best Mexican ever - and I've chomped through a few!
In the end there was no need to worry. Great company, great food and a great night.
Simon Glover, Technical Installation Manager
Added on 18 August 2008
It's always great to see one of our own coming up through the ranks, and that's why we're thrilled to be promoting Duncan Bennett to Head of Multi-Sports.
Who can believe that the lad who joined us as Zoe's maternity cover has grown up so fast?
Fresh out of university and raring to get stuck in, we were so impressed back then we couldn't let him leave - and so he sportingly stayed on, selling our ChildsPlay systems.
During the past six years our rookie's become a man of multi-sports, now developing and managing our projects around the world.
And since young Duncan marries sweetheart Gemma Hayes next month, it's double congratulations from everyone at Notts Sport!
Added on 11 August 2008
We can't guarantee good weather, but we have just helped a Manchester school score a sound victory over the region's notorious rain.
Our ‘all weather' multi-sports ground at Parrenthorn High School in Prestwich offers pupils and the wider community the chance to play football, hockey, rugby and rounders on a quick-draining and durable surface.
This doesn't just mean an end to waterlogged grass pitches and more sports more often for local children, but by opening the facility to clubs and community users - including Bury Hockey Club and the Salford City Reds rugby league first team - it's also bringing in extra revenue for the school.
Added on 04 August 2008
As sponsors of the Hua Hin Thailand Sixes Tournament we're all for helping cultivate cricket in places where it's not a custom.
And so when we discovered the cricket-loving Prem Tinsulanonda Center for International Education in Thailand shared our aims, we were only too happy to donate a practice mat for use at the school.
It means that students and visiting cricketers from the Chiang Mai region can squeeze in more batting and bowling practice, and reap extra benefits at Asian Cricket Council coaching clinics hosted by the school.
Cricket in Thailand's schools is in its infancy, but as it begins to take off we hope to see new school teams and leagues emerge.
Added on 28 July 2008
Tired tennis courts were proving a real drop shot for players in Reading - but with three ace new courts now installed, Prospect Park is giving players the advantages they need.
We reused the existing asphalt as a base for our specialist performance underlay and surface, and because the system's so durable, the courts can be used for football out of season.
Complete with new fencing and lighting, the two sports can take place well into the evening, offering extra revenue potential for Reading Borough Council.
Our revamp comes just months after we created five state-of-the-art 3rd Generation mini soccer pitches at Prospect Park, alongside a colourful ChildsPlay playground.
Added on 21 July 2008
The world's gone crazy for Twenty20 - and following hard on its heels is a new form of cricket that's taking Britain's cities by storm.
Played with a tennis ball covered in electrical tape to add speed and bounce, the aptly named ‘tape-ball' has its origins in the fast-paced street cricket that enjoys huge popularity in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.
It's perfect for playing on Multi-Use Games Areas and where space is at a premium, and we're thrilled to see the game giving British youngsters a taste of cricket in urban areas where they might not otherwise get to play.
We're hoping talented tape-ballers will be encouraged to try out the traditional game too, and look forward to seeing them join the ranks of our top county clubs.
Added on 14 July 2008
Sport and play are a great way for nations to bond - and so we relish the company of our colleagues from across the continent.
We've just had the pleasure of an action-packed visit by János Szabo and Andrea Tésenyi from our Hungarian distributor, 1176 Játszótér-Építő Kft.
Taking in the sights, sounds and very varied tastes of the capital, Shaun and Zec were like Blue Badge guides, arranging a trip on the tube to see Big Ben and a sky-sweeping circuit on the London Eye.
The ‘Eye-pod' getting stuck at the highest point was a dream come true for János and Andrea, and while they were practically glued to the glass, Zec struggled manfully to muffle his knocking knees.
As attractions go, apparently Cherie Blair doesn't have much tourist appeal -being awestruck by the architecture while trying not to step on the pigeons, our friends didn't bat an eyelid as they passed her in Trafalgar Square.
The evening was a true taste of the cosmopolitan capital, combining an Irish pub with Swedish music and Chinese food - namely Waxy O'Connor's, Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales Theatre and a meal in Chinatown.
Added on 07 July 2008
Part of our world-wide success is rooted in finding distributors who share our philosophies about putting the fun back into sports and play.
And it has to be said, the Polish view is really quite similar to our own.
We've just appointed five companies across Poland to distribute our ChildsPlay and Multi-Sport surfacing systems - and like our network of UK distributors, they've chosen us because they know our colourful, durable and cost-effective solutions will be popular both with providers and the ‘playing public'.
So take a deep breath and offer a warm welcome to... Firma ARG of Lublin, Kompania Zabaw, Tamex and Rodo of Warsaw and Hemet in Zielona Góra!
Added on 24 June 2008
When fire swept through an East Sussex secondary school, it took just minutes for classrooms, equipment and books to be destroyed.
Now the Tideway School in Newhaven is being rebuilt - and we've played a key role in providing new sports facilities.
With our fair pricing and expertise we won the competitive tender to design and supply a synthetic cricket pitch and separate practice area to sit alongside the new state-of-the-art school buildings.
And as a high-quality installation, the pitch is also the perfect ‘home ground' to Newhaven Cricket Club's Saturday 3rd XI fixtures.
Added on 16 June 2008
Cricketers just can't get enough of a good thing.
When we designed a single-bay practice area for Woodford Cricket Club in Stockport we knew the members would love it.
Fact is, once they'd seen what was planned they knew players would love it as well. So with increased funds in the pot and a great working relationship with our Selby-based distributor, Pinnacle Sport and Play Ltd, they promptly doubled their order!
Now members are looking forward to enjoying not just one artificial practice strip but two, ensuring their ball and batting skills are brushed up beautifully for forthcoming matches.
Added on 09 June 2008
Cricket nets are never more essential than when there's the prospect of swiping a six into the sea.
The Cliff Top ground at Sewerby Cricket Club in East Yorkshire is in a beautiful location. The club loses more than its fair share of balls each season as mighty hitters let fly.
With this is mind, we've designed and supplied a twin-bay practice facility for the club, incorporating England & Wales Cricket Board-approved batting and bowling ends, and - more importantly - a 60-foot cage and netting structure to stop their balls from scaring the seagulls.
Added on 02 June 2008
Because rain is cricket's worst enemy, we're always working on ways to ease the problems it causes.
No, we've not yet mastered weather control, and Steve Foxon's blueprints for the world's biggest umbrella have been politely ignored.
Instead we're handing out free advice to everyone who's got a synthetic pitch so they can avoid the nasty effects of the storms and flooding so many of us cricket-lovers suffered last year.
You can now download our simple step-by-step guide from the ECB website, but because you've probably got to be in the practice nets in half an hour, we've also popped a handy link to it here.
http://static.ecb.co.uk/files/post-flood-advice-for-non-turf-cricket-facilities-2030.pdf
or
http://www.ecb.co.uk/development/facilities-funding/flood-relief-and-advice/
Added on 27 May 2008
We're a huge supporter of grass-roots football, and so when Lutterworth Town FC decided the time was right for a revamp, we did more than just cheer them on.
Bogged down with a soggy training ground and scrambling about in the gloom each winter, we couldn't let one of our local clubs struggle any longer.
So we designed not just one pitch, but helped develop an entire soccer centre and specialist Coever coaching facility, with four synthetic five a-side / futsal pitches, perimeter and internal fencing, floodlights and equipment.
Wow!
The centre drew a huge turn-out at its launch in April, when Leicester City legends Steve Walsh, Muzzy Izzet, Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart tried out the pitches and gave them the big thumbs-up.
Now a full five-a-side local league has just kicked off in Lutterworth.
Added on 19 May 2008
Our Shaun's a real expert on play provision, and his views have just been outlined in the landscaping industry journal Green Places.
The Notts Sport boss speaks out on the challenges local authorities and play providers face when deciding on local facilities to provide.
Getting the balance between a play area children enjoy and one which is safe is a tricky one, and too many providers are opting for ‘boring' designs to minimise risk and the potential for legal cases.
But this also means children don't rate their local playgrounds and don't use them, contributing to rising obesity levels.
As Shaun points out, it doesn't have to be this way. Play should be about children having fun, learning to manage risk through adventurous activity and developing their capabilities.
This is already being tackled by playground specialists and surfacing suppliers such as Notts Sport. Now we need the government and local authorities to invest taxpayers' money wisely. As Shaun says, "if it's no fun to the child it's a waste of money."
Added on 12 May 2008
It seems like yesterday that rising talent Nick McLaren joined us, fresh from his degree in Sport Technology.
And now the sports and play surface design buff has added a new string to his bow, having just completed an ‘Advanced CAD' design course.
Chief Executive, Shaun Patrick explains: "While working with skilled computer software and cutting edge surfacing technology, we also retain the best aspects of an ‘old school' firm by providing comprehensive training for all our new apprentices.
"In this way we can add new talent to the team and invest in new skills and expertise that give our clients a service that goes well beyond their expectations.
"Nick's not only a great sports technician, but a true professional in every aspect of the computerised design process. Through him we provide clients with several detailed drawings of how their proposed sports, play or landscaped area could look before any groundwork begins."
Added on 07 May 2008
Take a pinch of sunshine, the first bank holiday of the year, and just add a 1,000-mile road-trip across Europe.
Can you guess what we've got? Yep, it's transport turmoil!
By a quirk of the calendar, this month saw the rest of Europe taking a well-deserved break on Thursday 1st May, with many making the most of it and shutting up shop for a long weekend.
Meanwhile us Brits waited until the Friday afternoon to kick back, not returning to work until Tuesday 6th May when the Bank Holiday break was over.
It's been great for our tans but not so hot when you've got so many sports and play surfaces ready to be distributed across Europe.
Thankfully now the five-day deliveries delay is behind us and Notts Sport is back on the road!
Added on 28 April 2008
When the Asian Cricket Council approached us about pushing out the boundaries of world cricket we were happy to bowl in and help.
After all, who could turn down a trip out to the beautiful Dusit Resort on the Hua Hin coast?
But more than that, our sponsorship of the five-day Thailand Sixes tournament meant play could go ahead on a world-class Notts Sport synthetic wicket, perfect for the 16 teams from the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Thailand.
During the six-a-side event, players who know a thing or two about a good wicket were out on the field - Aussie bowlers Mick Lewis and Colin "Funky" Miller, and former Victoria captain, Darren Berry.
Perhaps the biggest victory though was for our chief executive, Shaun Patrick. A sun tan in April? Who'd have thought that possible?
Added on 21 April 2008
We've lost our ball. One minute it was there, the next, vanished.
It means a lot to us - so much, in fact, that we're giving away a brand new cricket pitch installation to the school which finds it!
We'll be calling on the help of those keen-eyed members of the Independent School Bursars Association (ISBA), who we'll be fortunate enough to see at their annual conference and exhibition in Edinburgh on May 7th and 8th.
By ‘Spotting the Ball' at our stand in the exhibition area, they can win a perfect new pitch for their pupils. How easy is that?
So to all those school bursars out there, don't forget to come and find us - and help us find our ball!
Added on 21 April 2008
Arrived in Wroclaw via Wizzair Monday 14th April, had meeting with a potential distributor then headed off to the station. Ticket office furnished us with 1st class tickets from Wroclaw to Warsaw, normally a 5 hour journey via Katowice but this took close on 6 hours. This was in actual fact a false dawn for Zec and I as this was a newish train and was clean, modern with decent toilets. Our second journey was from Warsaw to Poznan, Zec had booked 2nd Class on the internet in advance for this trip, having seen 2nd class we tried to upgrade but the only way of doing this was to purchase new tickets without value to the old, so we stuck to 2nd. This was our second mistake. It's a 3 hour journey this one but could have been so much due to the ticket inspector demanding to see Zec's passport to back up the tickets, true to form Zec had left his passport back at the hotel, the amusing part was demanding look and Polish/Germanic way in which the inspector kept repeating Documents,Documents,Documents,Documents, it reminded me a bit of the film the Great Escape when Gordon Jackson and Richard Attenborough were crossed questioned by the German officer. Following our plea not to eject us from the train - no passport, no valid ticket!! I had a brainwave to call the office a get Becky/Kirsty to scan the office copy of Zec's passport and email it through. Oh, and this train was an express and ony stopped once en route. The return journey was so different, OMG this journey from Poznan to Warsaw was over 4 hours long, this one stopped at every station. Our seats were situated in a cabin which house 6 seats in total. At the side was a corridor and windows with people hanging out of them and other people trying to squeeze by. This train had to be from the 1950's, I had only ever seen these on old films or Bond films, I honestly thought these were scrapped years ago. This way a long journey as the batteries had ran our on both our phones and laptops. There was no buffet carriage and no form of refreshments. Today (Thursday). We have book 1st Class again, once bitten, twice shy and all that! Reality hits us, this deal is no better than 2nd class other than the seats are red rather than green. Our journey from Warsaw to Lublin, will take 3 hours journey both ways. The ticket inspector has just been round, Zec has got his passport with him and guess what? The inspector didn't want to see it! He have just been in search of the buffet carriage but there isn't one. We are thirsty! But low and behold a man has just stopped outside the door of our compartment with a little shopping trolley full of goodies, he looks a bit dodgy but we're parched!
Colin Hood, Sales Director
Added on 21 April 2008
Managed to make another post-match presentation. Before the mandatory vodka slammers (3 this time - non-player, VIP and sponsor) I had a chance to present all four umpires with a Notts Sport tie. How they marvelled at the fine silk and English design. How they laughed when I said I wanted them to wear them on Finals day in 38 degrees of heat. During the presentations the organisers made special reference to the new non-turf pitch that we had installed. Apparently the last one had given up the ghost after 13 years of unpredictable service and without our support, there wouldn't have been a tournament this year. Simon and Wendy had done a fantastic job getting the pitch just right during the installation period the week before. How they managed in what is this region's hottest and driest spell, is beyond me. I was breaking into a sweat just popping an an ice cold Singha in the shade!I'm heading back today armed with special prices to bring the family here at Christmas (Thanks Simon Burgess - Dusit Resort Chain's brightest and most loyal up and coming Executive Assistant Manager). Also, many thanks to Tom and Kadar for a fantastic event. And not forgetting Kiwi for the slammers!
Added on 16 April 2008
Wednesday 16th April. a.m.
Wide awake and doing a blog for Kirsty. I've been asked by the tournament organiser Tom, to try and encourage a couple of English teams to participate next year. He jokingly asked if Notts Sport could bring a team. I think it may just be for the vodka part.
Added on 16 April 2008
Tuesday 15th April.
After 12 hours jet lag induced sleep, I ventured down to the Polo Ground where the matches are taking place. After a series of meetings through the day, I was invited to the post match drinks party. This turned out to be a vodka slamming session run by a New Zealander (bizarrely named Kiwi), and involved various people being called up to enjoy a slam. I was caught 5 times (Main VIP - twice, Hua Hin Virgin, wearing sunglasses and being a sponsor). Apparently this ritual happens every day after the last ball has been bowled. I think I went out for Dinner with the Head of Thailand Cricket afterwards.
Added on 16 April 2008
Monday 14th April.
Arrived here on the back of a trip to Canada, to be bounced straight into a welcome Dinner. Not sure what the Deputy Governor of Tourism for Thailand thought of the big bloke at the end of the table who kept falling asleep. Very impressed with the resort and the organisation behind the Hua Hin Sixes. Even more impressed with the ice sculptures, especially the one incorporating our logo.
Added on 14 April 2008
We think we've got a solution for popular golf courses down ‘to a tee'.
A combination of wet weather and the start of the new season has given clubs all the more reason to contact us about their worn paths, buggy parking zones and practice grounds.
Using our durable synthetic turf surfaces - available in various shades of green and perfect over slopes and mounds - we're eliminating mud from courses up and down the country, including at our local club, Glen Gorse in Oadby, Leicestershire.
Added on 07 April 2008
Since paint was first put in a spray can back in 1949, we've been loving the convenience - but hating the graffiti abuse.
Now we think we've got both sussed.
Our synthetic turf's managed to be graffiti-resistant and yet the ideal partner for our new Linemarker Aerosols.
The special formula provides longer-lasting markings than 'standard' aerosols, so they're a great way to save time and money, giving your synthetic turf, grass, tarmacadam, concrete and redgra (blaze) grounds high-visibility lines for each and every game.
Available now, the 750ml cans come in white, yellow, red and blue.
Added on 01 April 2008
Just because it's a bit nippy, doesn't mean to say cricket's off the cards.
All you need is a room big enough to swing a bat - and hit the odd six - and a touch of Notts Sport.
We've just supported the tenth ICC European Indoor Championship at the Kuortane Sports Resort in chilly Finland - the most northerly venue ever used for an official international cricket championship - with matches played indoors on our portable mats.
It's just part of our ongoing commitment to developing the game in places other sports fail to reach.
Denmark defeated Portugal in the final by two wickets off the penultimate delivery, overhauling the Portuguese total of 132. It's the Danes' fourth victory in the past five championships.
Added on 27 March 2008
One of the great things about working for Notts Sport is that no two projects are the same.
Finding the right solution depends very much on individual needs, and at The Meadows Sports College at Sandwell in the West Midlands we worked with teachers and pupils to provide a cost-effective new surface for their Multi-Use Games Area.
The five-year-old combined football and basketball area had a rubber surface, which really wasn't providing great grip for wheelchair users.
But rather than create an entirely new installation we ‘recycled' what was there, laying a VHAF NottsSward synthetic carpet over the cushioned surface.
The results have been amazing, with both children and adults able to concentrate fully on their sports skills.
Added on 18 March 2008
It doesn't seem to matter where you are in the world, the same rule applies - if you want to do something popular, ask the people what they'd like.
Our German distributors ChildsPlay GmbH have been chatting to kids in the City of Mainz after they were asked by local leaders to liven up some underused playing fields.
The children's top three requests were for a ‘bolzplatz'- a ballpark for football - playground equipment and a basketball court.
After going to the trouble of finding out what they wanted, it's no surprise that all three of our distributor's facilities are now a star attraction.
Added on 10 March 2008
Knowing that a former England cricketer could be watching every drop and duck must be pretty unnerving for pupils at the King Edward School in Birmingham.
Their cricket fields are overlooked from the home of Dennis Amiss, now deputy chairman of the ECB.
But thanks to us they'll be getting in plenty of additional practice - we've just designed them a superb four-bay Centre of Excellence, installed by Dura Sport with a 30m NottsBase D system and an extended warm-up area at the bowlers' ends.
We know the school team will be playing blinding shots in no time at all, and that's why we added a 72-foot cage and net structure - so that when Dennis wants to watch a little cricket, he won't be looking out through broken glass.
Added on 04 March 2008
Friday 29th February was a highly emotional day at Notts Sport. Don't get me wrong, even though it's a Leap Year, no one proposed to any of the Sales Managers. No, it was far more momentous than that. After 13 years of service, Tom Betts, our Head of Multi-Sports, left the company.
Usually after 13 years, (well, in the case of anniversaries anyway) a gift of lace is presented. But knowing Tom slightly better, we resisted the temptation to present such a gift. We all clubbed together and purchased 13 bottles of Italian wine. Italian for Tom, because Tom is the Italian football supporter amongst us - there's always one! And wine...well, this is Notts Sport!
We presented these to him at lunchtime last Friday and I feel that he was just overcome with emotion, as when asked to make a speech, he declined politely and returned to the sanctity of his office.
Tom will be sadly missed, not only for his quick wit and incredible knowledge, but genuinely because he was a valued and well respected member of the team.
He started his working life at Notts Sport as an office based Administrator, before moving into the specialist cricket department as a Sales Manager. After a few years, Tom's ability to 'close' a sale was becoming legendary and each head of department was fighting for the chance to get him on their team. Tom had the choice and took the Multi-Sports route.
Eventually and not surprisingly, Tom assumed the role of Boss-man in Multi-Sports. His commitment to consistently delivering the highest quality advice and standards of service for his customers, rightly earned him great respect within the industry and amongst his colleagues.
And now it's on to new challenges - the pending arrival of a new member of the Betts family...
If you too miss Tom and would like to see him again, you can always watch him play in his band. Visit his website for a gig list. Together that are Black Carrot and describe their style as fierce, abstract, improvised, experimental jazz/rock/folk music. Go on have a listen...
Good Luck Tom, we all wish you well!
Added on 25 February 2008
Recycling is a watchword with so many companies these days - but we've been at it for years.
Breathing new life into old sports grounds is all part of our service, as visitors to Hove Park in Brighton will see.
The park's five artificial tennis courts had endured 16 years of play since their installation - but rather than charge Brighton & Hove City Council for a brand new facility, our expert team advised a more cost-effective route.
After minor ground re-leveling, the original shockpad layer was re-laid, covered by a new VHAF NottsSward TS surface carpet and hey presto, players were back in business!
Added on 18 February 2008
Working in the play industry always puts a spring in our step - and right now we're jumping for joy over the launch of our ChildsPlay systems in Japan.
The first installation has gone in at a nursery in Osaka and with excellent feedback from the kids, our colourful, synthetic landscapes are now being used at four other locations in Osaka and Kyoto, with loads more enquires about carrying out similar projects throughout Japan.
It just goes to show, ChildsPlay translates into any language.
Added on 13 February 2008
Want the latest news from the wickets of the world? Then feast your eyes on the latest edition of Full Pitch - free and out now!
All the cricketing nuggets you need to know are packed onto two inspirational pages, putting you at the top of your game for the season ahead.
You'll discover how to ward-off a wash-out summer, gain tips to become Groundsman of the Year - and find out how clubs, schools and groups in Kent are being given the chance to win a brand new pitch worth up to £8,000!
Your copy is waiting... just click this!
Added on 11 February 2008
New talent has joined the team in the shape of technical sports buff, Nick McLaren.
Fresh out of university, 21-year-old Nick has not only acquired a degree in Sport Technology, but also an unusually broad knowledge of hurling.
No, it's not an after-effect of college drinking games, Sheffield Hallam-trained Nick chose to analyse hurls - the wooden sticks used in the Gaelic sport of hurling - for his dissertation.
Thankfully he's also mastered the methods for testing sports surfaces for tennis, hockey and football, among others, and his computer drawings of proposals for clients' surface systems continue to impress.
It's flair that doesn't go unnoticed, and he's just collected our ‘Support Member of the Month' award (again!).
Added on 04 February 2008
Here at Notts Sport we always try to be a shining example, and that’s why we’re installing 10 new cricket pitches at schools and clubs across the country.
Having been selected as a supplier for the Cricket Foundation charity’s Chance to shine campaign, our pitches will help educate youngsters through sport.
Chance to shine aims to regenerate competitive cricket in a third of state schools by 2015, and it’s the single biggest grass roots sports initiative ever undertaken in England and Wales. Impressive stuff, and we’re proud to be a part of it!
One of our Chance to shine installations was at one of the campaign’s flagship projects, Shepperton Cricket Club in Surrey. Now, boys and girls from local schools – as well as the club’s two England women’s squad players – are playing on a new Notts Sport pitch!
Find out more at www.chancetoshine.org
Added on 28 January 2008
Up against five of the best names in synthetic cricket pitches, we can be excused a little anxious pacing on one of our (fortunately hard-wearing) cricket carpets.
Those investigative journos at All Out Cricket magazine have been scurrying around canvassing those ‘in the know’ about pitch systems, from big-time groundsmen and club chairmen, to colts managers, village thrashers and ‘put-upon’ parents (their words, not ours).
But as it turned out, we had no need to fret – AOC found the principal player in the field is, well... us!
They’ve named us ‘Star Pick’ in their latest guide to pitch construction and maintenance. We don’t like to sing our own praises, so for the final analysis, we’ll hand over to them:
“Notts Sport pinches the top spot thanks to their exemplary after-sales service. If it’s artificial track you’re looking for, those boys will do you proud.”
Added on 22 January 2008
Huge goggles and garish Lycra travelling at death-defying speeds can try all they like to detract from the snow-swept scenery of Trondheim in Norway - we all know the setting's the real crowd-pleaser.
But, we have to share a little secret with anyone wowed by the whiteness of the world-famous Granåsen ski jumps during the recent Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup...
Our Norwegian distributors, Ragnar Lund AS, had just installed a white VHAF NottsSward carpet either side of the slopes' run tracks, giving them - and millions of TV viewers - the impression of a perfect snowscape.
Call it a little white lie.
Assessors, Investors in People “..Training and development is well planned”, the company shows “a strong commitment to encouraging personal development”, and has “excellent policies and procedures for managing people that are accessibly to everyone.”