What is The Circle Netting System?
The Circle Netting System (TCNS) suspends cricket practice nets from wires over the playing area. The wires run between posts at the perimeter, allowing the nets to be moved into any desired position. Because there are no intermediate posts, it is much more flexible than other systems and does not damage the playing surface. This system gained its British Product Patent in November 2003.What is special about The Circle Netting System?
-
1. TCNS is FLEXIBLE
- It makes maximum use of the entire practice area
- The configurations are variable to cater for changing practice requirements
- The position of the nets can be regularly changed to minimise wear in any one location on the playing surface
The practice bays can be moved along the overhead wires to any desired location within the playing area.
This is a double bay, divided by a centre net.
-
2. TCNS is KIND to the playing surface
- The system is post-free across the entire practice surface
- There are no heavy frames or wheels to damage the surface
- The nets are lowered into position and pegged to the ground
The perimeter posts support tensioned wires, on which the nets hang. There are no frames or wheels to damage the playing surface
A wire is threaded through the bottom edge of the net and this is secured to the ground with pegs
-
3. TCNS is EASY to operate
- One person can operate it, unlike other systems which require two or more people to set up
- The system provides great access when maintaining the surface, due to the ease of lifting the nets up into one of two fixed raised positions
- This allows the groundsman to prepare, fertilise or cut the whole area without hindrance from obstacles
It is easy to lift the nets into one of two fixed raised positions, giving excellent access for ground maintenance
The nets can be stored at the edge of the playing area, in either of the raised positions
-
4. TCNS is SAFE
- There are no posts between each wicket area, thus reducing the chance of a player injuring themselves on the equipment
- No chance of a player being hit by a ball from an unexpected ricochet off a post
- For the groundsmen it is safer to set up than systems which have to be rolled or dragged into position
The batsman's view - The entire playing area is post-free making it very safe for all players during practice
How does it work?
Pairs of steel posts run along the edge of the practice area (down the wicket). One side has the winch posts and the other has the fixed posts. A galvanised steel wire, connected to a winch at the bottom of the winch post, runs up to a pulley block at the top of the post and overhead across the playing area where it is secured to the fixed post.
The perimeter posts showing the wires and pulley-blocks
A winch on each post is used to tension the wire
Detailed view of a winch
Each practice bay is formed by a length of netting in a inverted-U shape, attached to the overhead wires via spring-locking hooks. The bays are moved across the playing surface by ropes attached to the top edges and running back to the posts at either side.
A practice bay is formed by netting in an inverted-U shape
The corners of each bay are attached to the overhead wires
The bays are moved across the playing surface by ropes running back to the posts at either side
The sides, back and roof are fully sewn-in, making one complete shaped net
The netting can be clipped up off the ground into the first raised position, for easy surface access
The nets can then be rolled and lifted into the higher raised position, for even greater access for ground maintenance
Cleats provide neat and tidy storage for the ropes
Dimensions and Materials
TCNS is available in two forms, the County system, which usually consists of eight pairs of 150x100mm section more detailed posts, and the Academy System, which consists of four pairs of 100x100mm section posts. All posts and nets are tailor-made to the individual site requirements.
The posts are galvanised steel and 4.0m in height. The practice bays are typically 21m long x 3.65m wide x 4m high and a combination of double and single practice-bays will provide the widest choice of practice configurations.
The netting is knotless high-tenacity polypropylene and can be specified in either a 45mm square heavy-weight 3.0mm guage, or a 40mm square standard-weight 2.3mm guage. The ropes are 8mm polypropylene and they are attached to the netting with 6x60mm bright zinc carbine hooks.
Colours
At the customers request, the galvanised steel posts and winch boxes can be powder-coated in any standard RAL colour to match existing eqipment or building colour schemes, or your team or club colours. For the netting there is a choice of dark green or black.
The metalwork can be powder-coated in any RAL colour number
Installation time
Installation of a typical county system takes between 10 - 14 days, depending on site access and weather conditions. For an academy system the installation can be completed in 7 days.