Notts Sport Blog

The boys done good!

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

MANCHESTER RAIN IS NO MATCH FOR US

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Bowling Back To Thailand

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Gaining an advantage on the tennis courts

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Tape up your tennis balls, theres a new game in town!

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Hungary for a taste of London?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Poles apart? No, we all think the same way...

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

School sports rise from the ashes

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

One is never enough...

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Prize catch at Sewerby

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

We cant fix the weather, but we can fix the pitch...

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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/

From gloom to glory with grass-roots football

Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Shaun outlines the challenges of play

Sun, 18 May 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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."

Nicks such a cad... and hes here to help you!

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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."

Why do lorries disappear in summer?

Tue, 06 May 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

Beach Cricket' with a perfect wicket!

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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?

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin The Final Entry

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

Polski Travel Blog

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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

Come on bursars, find our ball!

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin Part 1...

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin Part 2...

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin Part 3...

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

A clean, green solution for muddy golf courses...

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Make your mark...

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Cricket in a cold climate

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

For every project theres a special solution

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

What we need is a bolzplatz...

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Why doesnt Dennis Amiss fear a cricket ball through his window?

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Goodbye Mr Betts!

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

Recycle a sports ground

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

Big In Japan

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Feast your eyes on our freebie!

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!

Hurling is not a drinking game...

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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!).

A shining example

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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

Perfect Pitch!

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.”

Notts Sport sells 'snow' to Norway

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:00:00 +0000

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.

Happy to be a member of API

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:00:00 +0000

Playtime is a very important part of the Notts Sport day, and it's something we've been getting right for years.

So with this in mind we decided it was high time we showed off our fun-loving credentials by joining the Association of Play Industries, the lead trade body within the play sector.

Becoming an API member isn't a walk in the park. They're pretty picky over who makes it into the industry's finest, but thanks to our experience and safer surfacing expertise, our ChildsPlay products and services sent us sailing through the selection criteria.

As the newest API member, we're now looking forward to taking play to the next level by working with the governing bodies of play, nationally and internationally.

Adopt a Club 2007

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:00:00 +0000

Picture your face when there's a knock at the door and a team of guys carrying a full-size Notts Sport cricket pitch ask "Where do you want this?"

That's exactly what's going to happen to one lucky club selected by The Wisden Cricketer magazine's Adopt a Club programme.

Being a generous bunch we're donating a non-turf pitch to help support the grass roots development of cricket, which goes to a club picked out by the magazine for its drive and ambition to succeed.

It's part of a pretty amazing assistance package, including the supply and installation of our top-quality system, as well as gleaming new kits and expert coaching.

This year it's the turn of Three Caps Cricket Club in Wanstead, East London. You can keep up to date with all the Three Caps' progress in The Wisden Cricketer every month.

Getting serious about safety

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:00:00 +0000

Children's safety isn't something to be sniffed at as any parent, school teacher or play organiser will tell you, and here at Notts Sport we take it very seriously.

That's why we've thrown our weight behind a European organisation which promotes safety in children's play.

FEPI – or the Federation of the European Play Industry – have just awarded us membership in recognition of the fact we're one of the most highly-regarded suppliers of safer surfacing for children's play areas, under our brand ChildsPlay.

Now, under the FEPI umbrella, we'll be offering our sound advice to help shape European policies and standards on children's play safety.

Notts Sport Blog

The boys done good!

MANCHESTER RAIN IS NO MATCH FOR US

Bowling Back To Thailand

Gaining an advantage on the tennis courts

Tape up your tennis balls, theres a new game in town!

Hungary for a taste of London?

Poles apart? No, we all think the same way...

School sports rise from the ashes

One is never enough...

Prize catch at Sewerby

We cant fix the weather, but we can fix the pitch...

From gloom to glory with grass-roots football

Shaun outlines the challenges of play

Nicks such a cad... and hes here to help you!

Why do lorries disappear in summer?

Beach Cricket' with a perfect wicket!

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin The Final Entry

Polski Travel Blog

Come on bursars, find our ball!

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin Part 1...

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin Part 2...

Shaun's Visit to Hua Hin Part 3...

A clean, green solution for muddy golf courses...

Make your mark...

Cricket in a cold climate

For every project theres a special solution

What we need is a bolzplatz...

Why doesnt Dennis Amiss fear a cricket ball through his window?

Goodbye Mr Betts!

Recycle a sports ground

Big In Japan

Feast your eyes on our freebie!

Hurling is not a drinking game...

A shining example

Perfect Pitch!

Notts Sport sells 'snow' to Norway

Happy to be a member of API

Adopt a Club 2007

Getting serious about safety

The boys done good!

Tape up your tennis balls, theres a new game in town!

We cant fix the weather, but we can fix the pitch...

Nicks such a cad... and hes here to help you!

Beach Cricket' with a perfect wicket!

For every project theres a special solution

Why doesnt Dennis Amiss fear a cricket ball through his window?