TS7 standard describes the requirements for tensioned nets designed for forming the enclosed Indoor Cricket court. In addition to Indoor Cricket the courts are used for playing small-sided football and a form of indoor netball.
This Standard has been developed in conjunction with sports netting installers and following the physical testing of installations in existing Indoor Cricket Arenas affiliated to the England and Wales Indoor Cricket Board
4. 01. Introduction
Indoor Cricket
Indoor Cricket is a fast-paced form of the game. Teams of Indoor Cricket can be played as a social game between
either six or eight players can play competitively throughout friends through to highly competitive local and national
the year. The intensity of the game generates an exciting leagues and at international level. The World Indoor Cricket
environment with no threat of rain delays. Federation organises a World Cup which takes place every
two years.
The game is played within a rectangular court enclosed
on all sides and above by tensioned netting. Playing and For the purpose of this guide the tensioned nets where the
fielding the ball off the surrounding nets is an integral part game is played will be referred to as the ‘court’. The space
of the game which means the ball is always live, the game accommodating one or more courts and any other sports
continuous and action-packed. will be described as the ‘sports courts’. The term ‘Arena’
will refer to all facilities that support the playing of Indoor
Indoor Cricket forms part of a multi-sport experience where Cricket, whether other sports and associated facilities are
players of all abilities can enjoy competitive and social team provided in addition to the courts or not.
sport. Games can be played with mixed gender and mixed
age teams and with year-round play is great for off-season
practice, young player development, social leagues and
corporate events. Each player bats, bowls and fields so is
involved in all aspects of the game.
ECB – Indoor Cricket Facilities – Design Guidelines – TS7
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6. 01.
This should be read in conjunction with the associated
document [TS7] Indoor Cricket Facilities: A Quick Guide
to Getting the Business Started which describes the
likely considerations for an Arena to be a financially viable
proposition.
Suppliers and installers should refer to the Performance
and Construction Standards for Tensioned Nets to be
used for the game of Eight-a-Side Indoor Cricket and
Performance and Construction Standards for Synthetic
Sports Surfaces to be used for the game of Eight-a-Side
Indoor Cricket which have been developed to accompany
these documents.
Where an existing sports complex is expanded to include
Indoor Cricket courts many of the issues covered in this
document will already have been addressed and associated
facilities already provided. Where a new Arena is developed
and other sports facilities are provided in addition to the
Indoor Cricket courts then guidance documents from the
relevant national governing bodies and Sport England must
be consulted.
ECB – Indoor Cricket Facilities – Design Guidelines – TS7
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8. 02. Site location and external layout
Location, location, location
Where possible any new Arena should be located in
a prominent and easily accessible place in order to
best attract a variety of potential users and encourage
participation.
There will be many factors that influence the eventual
location, but when looking for a suitable site to build on, or
an existing property to convert, the selection process should
include the following considerations:
– proximity to target market and local catchment areas
– visibility to potential users
– ease of access by public transport, cyclists and
pedestrians
– ease of access for motorists, and sufficient parking
provision
– sufficient space for the facilities, and particularly in the
case of new buildings the scope for future expansion
For further information see Sport England guidance Active
Design, available on the Sport England website.
Ideally the building should be clearly visible from the main
road with prominent signage including the Arena name and
facilities provided. Clear communication of the activities
on offer will promote and encourage use. Signage from
surrounding access routes will form part of the ECBIC Well signposted approach to the Arena
affiliation requirements.
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10. 02.
Provision should be made for: Proposals should be discussed with the local authority
highway officer and in some instances a travel plan to limit
– sufficient parking bays to suit the building occupancy the volume of car journeys will need to be prepared as part
– disabled parking bays that comply with the minimum of the planning application.
standards for disabled users and have unhindered
access to the entrance Refer to Sport England guidance notes Car Park and
– drop-off point close to the entrance with, where Landscape Design and Accessible Sports Facilities for
possible, a covered assembly area for teams or groups further information and Building Regulations Approved
– secure covered bicycle storage and locking facilities Document M and British Standard BS8300:2009 to satisfy
close to the main entrance, ideally visible from reception disabled parking and access requirements.
– access for service and emergency vehicles with
adequate turning provision
– coach or mini-bus drop-off and separate parking if
required
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12. 03.
Inclusive design is about creating places that everyone can An appealing and comfortable atmosphere will be created
use. Accordingly, the design of Indoor Cricket Arenas should if the entrance foyer and reception area have a high ceiling,
consider how the facility is used from approach, to building an open visible feel with natural lighting where possible. The
entry, through to specific areas including reception, social look and feel of the Arena will be dictated by the choice of
spaces, changing rooms and the playing environment. All materials and decoration in this area.
users must be able to access the tensioned net courts, with
minimum circulation widths unobstructed by supports and The entrance foyer will act as the hub of the Arena and must
fixings. Indoor Cricket Arenas might include facilities where be designed to cope with peak time numbers, with sufficient
specialist ‘sports wheelchairs’ are used and the dimensional space for people to circulate, gather, read notices and for the
requirements of these needs to be considered. reception to function. The game board displaying upcoming
fixtures, and the posting of league tables will provide a focus
Refer to Sport England guidance notes Sports Halls Design of attention in the entrance foyer and should be located
and Layouts and Accessible Sports Facilities for further prominently enabling users to congregate. League standings
information regarding building design and management and the fixture list will often be the focus of team rivalry and
considerations. banter within the Arena.
Views of the sports courts should be provided from the
entrance foyer to aid customer appeal and for ease of
Entrance, foyer and reception orientation, and to assist staff supervision. This will be the
first point of contact with the activities on offer at the Arena.
The approach to the Arena is important not just in terms
of access but the appearance of the building and the ease Management decisions regarding access controls will impact
of identifying the main entrance. First impressions of the upon the reception and foyer planning. Sport England
Arena will be formed before the visitor has even entered the describes the options as either a reception close to the point
building. The entrance must be clearly visible and welcoming, of entry, which has the advantage of close control over those
creating an attractive image that will encourage people to entering the Arena, or an informal hotel type arrangement,
use the Arena. which is a more relaxed and welcoming style of operation.
These options will have different space requirements so the
operating style of the Arena must be established at
the outset.
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14. 03.
Where the financial viability of an Arena requires a social area Changing rooms and toilets
that can be used for private functions there needs to be the
flexibility to separate this from facilities used by players. For Changing capacity should be calculated to cope with normal
some communities or user groups it will also be beneficial to maximum occupancy when all courts and other activities
be able to screen the sports courts from the social area for are operating, though peak-time demand can be reduced
player privacy. through careful scheduling of booking times.
Essential support accommodation for bar or social areas will An understanding of the user profile and target market
include cellarage and storage serviced by a nearby vehicle should allow for a changing room layout appropriate to an
delivery point and direct access to refuse collection. As far as Arena’s pattern of use. Accommodating varying ratios of
possible deliveries should be remote from the main entrance male and female changing, or group change with additional
and not obstruct public areas. buffer or overflow areas, or individual cubicles affects the
space requirements. There must be changing accessible
In small Arenas vending machines may be sufficient to meet to disabled players. Sport England recommends that all
the need for refreshments, but even where a bar is provided, changing areas are designed so that disabled people can
vending machines should still be available. Their strategic use them and, for small schemes, that at least one individual
siting can have a significant impact on sales and, in addition unisex accessible changing room with shower and toilet is
to the foyer, locating them behind the courts will ensure provided so that assistance can be given by someone of
steady use. The location of vending machines should be either sex.
considered early on to ensure there is sufficient space, small
power provision, water and ventilation if required. It is unlikely that an Arena will have outdoor grass pitches,
but it is possible in a joint venture development, and these
would require separate changing facilities with external
access. Though not ideal, all-weather pitches can share
indoor facilities and need to be considered when calculating
the capacity.
Changing rooms should be designed with high ceilings and
design features or materials, such as suspended ceilings or
exposed services which are vulnerable to damage, must be
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16. 03.
Lockers, bag drop and buggy store
Lockers are best located behind the courts where they
restrict space less than in changing rooms, are convenient
for use by all patrons and are less susceptible to vandalism.
Sport England guidance note Sports Halls Design and
Layouts recommends for locker provision allowing 2.5 times
the calculated changing room capacity. A range of sizes
should be provided to accommodate items, from small
valuables to clothes and bags.
Many Indoor Cricket players participate on a casual basis
using equipment provided by the Arena, whereas others
Bag drop within sight of players and lockers in a range of sizes will use their own kit. Allowance needs to be made for the
storage of personal cricket equipment. This could take the
form of a bag drop area, adjacent to the courts and should
be within sight of the players.
Where ‘sports wheelchairs’ are used it is necessary to
provide for the secure storage of unused day chairs.
It is advisable to provide a secure area for customers to store
prams or buggies, particularly where soft-play areas are
offered.
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18. 04. Sports courts
Layout If the sports courts are to accommodate sports other than
those within the tensioned net courts then Sport England
The sports courts layout will be influenced by the space and relevant national governing body guidance documents
available and the programme of daily use. It is desirable that must be consulted for minimum dimensions, if affiliation or
the layout allows maximum flexibility for sports use, both funding is being considered. Minimum internal heights may
within the tensioned net courts and any other multi-sports be greater than required for Indoor Cricket.
provision, as well as for other non-sports events. The key
questions to be addressed when planning the sports courts The Arena layout should consider the creation of a ‘show
are: court’, which would be the first to be booked and would
stage feature games such as local or corporate finals. A
– how many tensioned net courts? show court provides an opportunity to promote the sports
– what size are the courts? on offer at the Arena and, as such, must be the most
– is there other multi-sport provision in addition to the visually prominent. On a small scale, this would be located in
tensioned net courts? front of the social area for casual viewing, but a larger Arena
– does the space need to accommodate non-sporting might have the potential for spectator seating around the
events or functions? court. See spectators section and Appendix A show court.
– is spectator seating required?
In addition to the proposed use of the space, the sports
The space available will go a long way towards determining courts layout will also be dependent upon safe access
many of these issues, but equally, decisions at the feasibility around the courts and other sports areas, the fire strategy
stage will determine the space required and inform the and evacuation demands, possible equipment delivery and
choice of existing building or site. Identification of the sports maintenance access to all components. See Appendix B for
provision, and other activities necessary for the Arena to be possible arena configurations.
a viable operation will be an essential part of the business
plan, and determine the number of Indoor Cricket courts
and the level of other sports provision required.
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20. 04.
Court dimensions
A Length of Court 28.0m (minimum) 30.0m (maximum)
B Width of Court 10.0m (minimum) 12.0m (maximum) competition standard
10.0m (minimum) no maximum recreational standard
C Height of Horizontal Top Net 4.0m (minimum) 4.5m (maximum)
1.0m (minimum) from structure, adjacent courts or circulation up to a height of
D Safety Margin (surrounds) 2.0m. Above 2.0m height margins are to be not less than 0.5m to reduce the risk
of balls striking equipment fixings or structure.
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22. 04.
Tensioned nets Where the layout permits, some Arenas will choose to maximise
court flexibility with removable dividing nets to form a larger
The tensioned nets used shall conform to the requirements court, more suitable for playing football. To maintain the safety
indicated in this document. See the Performance and margin when the courts are used separately, two dividing nets
Construction Standards for Tensioned Nets to be used will need to be removed in order to combine two adjacent courts.
for the game of Eight-a-Side Indoor Cricket.
The procedure for removing the dividing nets must ensure
Netting forming the enclosed Indoor Cricket court is a that when in use the tension is comparable to the other nets
permanent tensioned net system. The vertical perimeter nets surrounding the court. The method for securing the base of
must be securely attached to the floor and to the horizontal the dividing nets must ensure there are no hazardous floor
top net such that the balls cannot pass under, over, through fixings in the playing area when the dividing nets are in place
or between the nets. During normal game play the tensioned and when removed. The Arena operator will be responsible
nets must withstand balls hitting the net and players running into for ensuring there are no hazardous floor fixings in the playing
them, as this forms an integral characteristic of the game. Indoor area and when in place the dividing nets are performing
Cricket spectators and players will congregate outside the court in accordance with the Performance and Construction
and the net must protect them from ball and player impact. Standards for Tensioned Nets to be used for the game of
Eight-a-side Indoor Cricket. Any equipment used to raise
For the vertical nets it is recommended that knotted coloured or lower the net must be located outside the safety margin
polythene netting mesh is used in either a diamond or square surrounding the courts and must be suitably protected for the
mesh pattern. The netting colour, typically green, must safety of Arena users. Allowance should be made in the court
contrast with and not impair visibility of the yellow Indoor bookings schedule for raising and lowering the net.
Cricket ball. At the base of the net it is recommended that
a heavier grade net is used or the net reinforced to resist Access to the court should be via either a flap entry or
wear. Where penetrations are required for the fixing of netball an opening covered with a tensioned section of netting,
rings or football goals the netting must be reinforced locally, sometimes referred to as a gate. The court access must
and the hole covered with a section of net to contain the ball be easy for all players to use and, during the game, must
within the court. Scoring zones should be marked with white contain the ball within the court. Where a flap entry is used
tape outside the court, secured at the base of the net and an alternative suitably sited gate access must be provided to
with an elasticated fixing at the top of the net. allow easy entry for disabled players. The opening in the net
for the gate access should be a minimum width of 900mm,
and where necessary must consider the requirements for
sports wheelchairs.
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24. 04.
For the horizontal top net, it is recommended that a knotted
coloured polypropylene netting mesh is used and, to minimise
the sagging of the net, this should be of a thinner braid
than the vertical nets. The minimum clear height must be
maintained over the width and length of the court.
The roof netting should be made of fire retardant material in
accordance with BS 5867 Part 2.
All components should be UV resistant and not degrade or
weaken as a result of exposure to sunlight.
Corner structure chain (L) and column (C+R)
The nets are tensioned vertically by means of a wire rope or
cable at the base anchored to the floor and a similar wire rope
or cable at the top secured to either the building structure or
a supporting structure. Horizontally, the nets are tensioned
to either a steel post or vertical chain at the corners outside
the court. The form of the corner is maintained by either
a tube on the court side of the nets or a heavy duty sewn
seam which in both instances are tied back to the corner
structure or chain. Where a tube inside the court is used, it
must be protected to prevent damage or player injury. The
fixings required to tension the base wire rope must, for safety,
be either protected or outside the line of the court. See the
Performance and Construction Standards for Tensioned Nets
to be used for the game of Eight-a-Side Indoor Cricket.
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26. 04.
Where a multi-sports area is provided in addition to the The desired frequency of operations should be indicated
tensioned net courts, then Sport England and relevant so that they form part of a regular maintenance schedule
national governing body guidance documents must be the operator can refer to in order to manage and monitor
consulted to determine the most appropriate surface for this the extent of the work required and make available the
area. It is likely to be a different surface from that within the resources to do the work.
tensioned net courts.
The use of the sports courts for non-sports events must not
compromise the playing performance and safety requirements Court markings and equipment
of the playing surface. The surface must withstand increased
loadings and be protected from any potential damage or The playing surface colour should be considered in
spillages. conjunction with the sports courts decoration as a whole,
contributing to a bright and inviting playing environment. The
Compliance testing after the playing surface is installed colour must be a contrast to the yellow Indoor Cricket ball
should be undertaken to ensure the requirements are and the pitch should be a contrasting colour to the rest of
achieved. In an increasingly litigious world, on-site testing the court surface.
and compliance with standards might be used in personal
injury claims and compliance with ECB guidelines should The line markings for synthetic turf and textiles surfaces
be regarded as the minimum requirement to defend such should be incorporated into the playing surface during
a claim. Guidance documents from relevant national manufacture or by being inlaid. Indoor Cricket lines should be
governing bodies and Sport England must be consulted for white, netball lines should be red in accordance with Sport
the requirements of other sports. England guidance, while football line markings should be
yellow. See Appendix C for Indoor Cricket, netball and football
The supplier / installer of the playing surface shall provide line marking setting out. Coordination of different markings
details of the operation and maintenance of the system to will vary depending on court dimensions.
ensure it remains in good working order for the life of the
installation. It should include:
– cleaning and removal of debris
– replacement sections and repairs
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28. 04.
Typical arrangement to end of court illustrating seating, circulation and netball ring and football goal fixing
ECB – Indoor Cricket Facilities – Design Guidelines – TS7
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30. 04.
Spectators When considering spectator events, sufficient parking must
be provided, while the Arena facilities must be designed to
The game of Indoor Cricket, as with the conventional game, cope with the increased capacity, and have the appropriate
requires the non-fielding team to wait outside the playing area licences in place for the bar and, more importantly, fire
when not batting. Depending on the numbers involved in the escape. Viewing facilities for spectators with disabilities must
game, this is either four or six players, plus any non-playing be allowed for and the sports flooring should be protected.
team members. They are usually accommodated behind the
court at the bowler’s end.
It is preferable to provide some fixed seating, which when
located between the courts and circulation routes, will
informally define the safety margin around the tensioned
nets, whereas loose chairs will eventually end up obstructing
access. Seating can take the form of a single bench or a
larger stepped seating unit and, in everyday recreational play,
serves as a casual viewing area.
Where it is intended that the Arena is to stage major games or
competitions for Indoor Cricket or other sports where a large
number of spectators can be attracted, then the requirements
must be established at the outset. Retractable seating can be
integrated into the sports courts wall, or alternatively provision
can be made for temporary spectator stands. These can be
kept on site, with suitable storage provided, or hired when
required, with appropriate delivery access on site and to the
sports courts. The sports courts layout must consider where
spectator seating is to be located by determining which court
is the show court and how seating will relate to it, which could
be seating on courts either side, or on a multi-sports area.
Player seating separating court safety margin from circulation
See Appendix A Show Court.
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32. 04.
Acoustics
One of the key issues regarding acoustics in Indoor Cricket
Arenas is sound reverberation in the sports courts. To limit
the level of background noise, measures should be taken
to reduce reflected sound through the use of absorbent
materials. This is particularly important where blind players
rely on hearing the rattle of the ball in order to play the game.
The game of Indoor Cricket is adjudicated by an umpire at
the batter’s end of the court. The location of speakers is
important to ensure that the umpire is audible to all players
on the court and by spectators watching the game, without
interfering with games on adjacent courts.
The transmission of noise into and out of the facility should
also be considered. In an existing industrial building, an Arena
is unlikely to have an adverse impact on neighbours.
Acoustic design is a complex issue that can be addressed
with the appointment of a specialist consultant. See [TS7]
A Quick Guide to Getting the Business Started for more
information. Further advice is also available in the Sport
England guidance note Sports Halls Design and Layouts.
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34. Lighting installations The following design parameters would be appropriate:
Lighting installations should be provided with simple, Illumination Uniformity
individually zoned control systems that can be operated Level (Lux)
locally in order to achieve a good level of energy efficiency. Indoor Cricket 500 0.8
The use of occupancy sensor control systems would be Club Use / National Level
appropriate in most instances. Control panels, timers,
Indoor Football
switches, etc for lighting installations should be located
Club Use 300 0.8
within a central management area, usually behind the
National Level 500 0.8
reception or bar, which is easily accessible to the staff
on duty. Indoor Netball
Club Use 300 0.8
Sports courts lighting National Level 500 0.8
Wherever possible, the use of natural daylight should be
maximised. Careful consideration should be given to the The recommended illumination levels refer to average
shading of roof lights and windows in order to avoid un- illumination levels. Circulation areas around the courts
necessary glare. The selection and design of the lighting could be illuminated by light spill from the court only.
system should give due consideration to the average
illumination at floor level, uniformity, colour rendering and Surface finishes that are light in colour will be most
control of glare within the sports courts. appropriate, with a typical reflectance factor of 0.7
being achieved where possible.
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36. 05.
The use of sodium (S.O.N.) lamps would need to be Entrance foyer, reception and social areas lighting
considered carefully in terms of their suitability to provide The selection of lighting systems to serve the social
sufficient light output, uniformity and glare issues if they are areas will be dependent upon individual requirements; a
to be utilised within the sports courts. combination of both service and decorative light fittings may
be appropriate.
Control of the illumination level within the sports courts
could be by means of an intelligent lighting control system Changing rooms, toilets and ancillary areas lighting
which would maximise the use of natural daylight or by the The selection of lighting systems to serve the changing
use of multiple switching arrangements. rooms, toilets and ancillary areas will be dependent upon
individual requirements; fluorescent tube fittings are likely
to be most appropriate, with an occupancy sensor control
system fitted.
Emergency lighting
The building including sports courts will need to be
equipped with an emergency lighting installation which is
designed and installed to the current British Standard BS
5266.
Where existing emergency lighting installations are to be re-
utilised within existing buildings, the systems will need to be
Typical batten luminaire relating to the lighting layout
reviewed, fully tested and commissioned in accordance with
current standards.
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38. 05.
Changing rooms, toilets and ancillary areas heating
The changing rooms, toilets and ancillary areas will also
require a higher level of heating.
The selection of space heating within these areas is likely
to be influenced by the solution that is applied to the social
areas; radiators would be appropriate for toilets and ancillary
Warm air heating unit (L) and radiant heating unit (R) areas, with the potential for the use of under floor heating
systems to serve changing room areas.
Entrance foyer, reception and social areas heating Typical Space
The social areas are likely to require a higher level of heating. Temperature °C
Space heating within social areas is likely to be used on a
Sports courts
more regular basis, therefore the heating system should
Minimum 12
operate independently of the sports courts system. Space
Optimum 14
heating systems within these areas would normally be
thermostatically controlled. The optimum solution may be Entrance foyer, reception and social area 18-21
one of the following system types;
Changing rooms 21
Low Temperature Hot Water (L.T.H.W.) Heating – A gas Toilets and ancillary areas 18
or oil fired heating installation comprising radiators, fan
convectors, radiant panels or under floor heating circuits
would be appropriate.
Local Panel Heaters – Gas fired or electric panel heaters
could be utilised to serve local heating requirements.
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