Use of Cricket Net Policy

Haywards Heath Cricket Club encourages use of the cricket net by a broad range of its membership keen to practise and develop their skills. The following rules are in place to ensure all members wishing to use the net can do so safely.

You are permitted to use the cricket net if you are a fully paid up member of the cricket club and have booked using the online system. The nets are a resource for all members of the cricket club and members are asked to be reasonable in their booking and not block book the net during the season. The club reserves the right to cancel bookings deemed to be excessive to ensure all members of the club are able to enjoy the facility. Parents of junior members of the club may use the net whilst supervising their children.

Net safety rules:

Kit & Equipment Rules

• No kit bags on the artificial playing surface, or within the hitting direction of practice.
• Wear suitable footwear i.e. rubber-soled (non-marking) cricket shoes or trainers. NO Spikes, NO heels, NO smooth soles.
• Batters working with a hard ball must wear adequate protection, helmet, box, pads etc.
• All Under 18’s must bat in a helmet.
• No footballs, rugby balls etc. to be used in the nets

Use of net by members outside of normal practice sessions

• The club will not accept responsibility for unaccompanied children using the nets facility.
• Members under the age of 18 using the net facility are the responsibility of their parents/guardians/carers.
• People using the net without the supervision of a qualified coach do so at their own risk
• The use of helmets and other protective wear is essential when using a hard ball.
• The nets must be left in the condition they were found with stumps left in appropriate position and any rubbish removed.
• A maximum of 5 people per net.
• Any junior member aged 13 or under must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Net Safety Rules

• No spectators are to be in the net.
• Batters must pad up outside the net area.
• Bowlers should only bowl when the batter is ready and should face the batter at all times. They should not bowl if a loose ball is in the net.
• A loud cry of “STOP” should stop activity in all nets immediately to address any safety problem.
• Balls should be returned immediately by the batsman and not left to lie loose in the net.
• Bowling must be in accordance with the laws of cricket — from legal distance, legal action, no deliberate excess of short bowling.
• Training in the play of short bowling must be coach supervised.

Use of net for arranged practice sessions

• For the safety of our junior members (under 18 years) the following procedures are in place:
• The sessions should be conducted under the supervision of an ECB qualified coach.
• When batting facing a hard ball the proper protective items, including helmet MUST be worn.
• Before practice commences coaches MUST check the cage and netting to ensure a safe environment.
• Any equipment including kit bags is to be stored away from the nets.
• All players using the net practice must behave in a proper and correct manner
• After each practice session the equipment MUST be stored away properly.

The committee reserves the right to withdraw access to the net to members not following the above rules.