Hi all,
I'm looking to help a local first school in setting up a cricket team next season. We're talking from 6->8 yr olds (ie year 1 -> 3).
I'd imagine that a flicx pitch rolled into the ground would be perfect for that age group. More than likely they'll only be playing kwik cricket.
What's people's thoughts on this ?
Any one know of any flicx pitches going 2nd hand ?
The flicx pitch would have to come up in the winter as the area is then used for football, so that would avoid the problem of a grass mat forming over the surface.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Leave well alone Jon. Not heard a good thing said about them yet. Will leave a big scar in the soccer pitch. 6 to 8 year olds will be perfectly ok on the school field. Flix pitch also very slippery when wet.
We have one Jon that we havent used as the idea was to use it for the youngsters like you propose to. We swallowed the advertising bumph where they show a young woman pulling the whole thing along with the trolley they flog you. I have to say, that is complete Bull***t! It took 2 grown men to pull it on and off and then you couldnt get it flat.
The only way is to leave it permantely in situ and let the grass grow through but the surface it has to be on has to reasonably firm and obviously flat.
I put ours by the side of our artificial nets as it was not being used at all.
The bounce is ok for small kids.
I could speak to our committee and see how much they might want for it, its 2 years old now but hasnt actually been played on more than twice but it as I said is currently under grass but I can easliy get it up and clean it up.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
It's only sort of a soccer pitch - just a large area of grass which they use for alsorts.
I would have thought that it'd be quick and fairly straight forward to top dress out any damage (and re-seed if necessary) during the summer hols.
If they're that bad though then there's no point.
I need to have a look at the proposed area a bit closer yet. It might be that shove a roller on it in spring and it'll be fine. Those wind balls they use do alsorts of weird things if the surface isn't pretty flat.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
12 Oct 2009 by Mike
I still have the scars on my hands and nightmares from ripping one out earlier this year. They are a major league pain in the backside to remove, and they do leave a mess once they have been removed. Playing wise, they are very slippery and a poor investment imo.
We have a jnr cricket tournament for kids of a similar age every year and all we do is roll 4 areas on one of our rugby pitches and reduce the hoc - works fine for them.
dont touch it with a S***ty stick, as bath says when wet they are lethal, the ball will often ping off the surface rising up and above head height.
Pulling it up at end of the season is easier said than done.
OK, I think I get a bit of a picture forming here.
Don't think I'll bother with a flicx pitch - perhaps they're useful if laid in a play ground (or on the beach) but sounds like they're no good on grass.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
I would disagree about the bounce. If you let the grass grow through and roll it occaisonally, its ok for kids.
But would I buy one if I knew what I know now? No.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
The Flicx Pitch always seems to get a very bad press on this message board, so I thought it was about time that I told of my experiences with it.
Like any cricket surface, the Flicx Pitch needs the correct preparation. I must admit, when we first acquired ours, the intention was to use each half on different areas of the field for junior practices. As has been alluded to above, they are very cumbersome to manage and a real pain to roll out and pack away. When you lay them out on the field the ball skids through at a low height and they are pretty useless.
So for the 2008 season I prepared an area of the field as I would the square. I then rolled the pitch out in early March when the ground had a fair amount of give in it, and rolled it as per pre-season rolling - in different directions and increasing the weight. As the weeks went by, the grass grew through the mesh and by careful management we had a decent practice pitch. We left it down through the winter and used it again this year, when the wicket played very well. Circumstances dictated that our Under 13 'B' team had to use it for their matches. If you 'flood' it the day before, then give it a good roll, it plays perfectly well with the ball coming onto the bat really well. It can also be used as a warm-up area prior to 1st and 2nd Team games as well.
Like any cricket surface, it needs plenty of tlc to get the best out of it.
OK, woodmancote so it can be useful. But not for the use I'd need to for. There's no way on earth that the school is going to give it TLC and they won't be flooding it the day before use - and no I won't be volunteering to look after it for them.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
hmmmm woodmancote, its all well and good giving a flicx pitch all this TLC (you may as well prepare a grass track) but isnt that defeating the object of it purpose. it was designed as a roll out, roll up pitch........... in that purpose its bloody useless. even putting it down and allowing it to settle into the surface and the grass to come through, it still doesnt give you a good surface to play on.
my former club however found a fantastic use for them.. they managed to get several of them from disallussioned clubs and placed them around the outside of the football pitch's barrier fence to form a hard standing area along 1 touchline....IDEAL
im now an ex groundsman but hey old habits die hard
A few years ago we went to the trouble of finding a sponsor, getting sportsmatch and buying the Flix pitch, with hindsight I wish we had'nt have bothered. It is now at the end of our ground rolled up under an old tarpooling and thats where its staying, so if you want it?
As far I can see its glorified industrial matting that was seen 30 years ago during my apprenticeship, I think the ECB was duped a little. On grass we found the bounce un-even and dangerous, although I did'nt see used on tarmac or concrete.
Phil
By the way, thanks for the tips on spreading the top dressing a few weeks ago, worked a treat.
this system is the worst ever pitch, once laid the grass grows through it and makes it impossible to roll up.
I read with interest at both the positive and negative comments about the Flicx pitch and wondered if I could put some perspective onto the matter.
The Flicx Pitch was originally designed to create more and more opportunities for youngsters to get into the game of cricket at grass roots level.. It was created for those who possibly did not or would never have the opportunity to play the game because of possibly the school they went to or their social situation. They were created to convert football fields, rugby fields, hockey fields and or parks into Cricket fields thus creating more and more opportunities for these youngsters to learn the game of cricket and consequently give them a firm foundation of life. For I certainly believe that the basics you learn in the game of cricket can be carried forward into life - Team work, discipline, acceptance of bad decisions and most importantly the will to win.
Enough said for my passion and philosophy of developing opportunities for youngsters to play the wonderful game of cricket but more onto the Flicx Pitch.
I agree the Flicx pitch is not perfect, but then again it was never designed to be the perfect pitch. It was developed to get thousands of more youngsters into the game of cricket and over the last ten years it has done just that in villages, towns, cities all over the world. Today we have youngsters who learnt to play the game of cricket on a FLICX Pitch who are today playing for their country at U 19 level and will hopefully go onto play for their country.
The Flicx Pitch was designed to be laid on a flat level surface, which could either be grass, asphalt or even concrete ( with a shockpad) to provide a consistent bounce.
It has converted football fields. hockey fields, playing fields into extra cricket fields. It has created extra strips next to the square, when rolled into the playing surface.
The Flicx Pitch laid on top of uncut grass, on an uneven surface, stony surface will give an uneven bounce, inconsistent bounce, but then again any surface will provide inconsistent bounce if not prepared properly. The surface does need preparation as laid down in the installation video for consistent bounce to be achieved. (Iam happy to send anyone this video should they desire).
I read with interest Woodmancotes comments on the Flicx pitch. We are finding more and more customers today no longer using the Flicx Pitch as a portable pitch, but more as a permanent pitch, rolled into a well prepared surface and then allowing the grass to grow through. The Flicx Pitch forms a firm base to provide a bounce on what could or would possibly be a traditionally low bounce pitch. The grass growing through provides an excellent playing surface in what has been referred to as a "turf" like surface. The grass is cut as you would normally mow a turf wicket.
I agree that the ball " skids" through quicker on a Flicx Pitch than say on a grass pitch. We have however found that youngsters soon get to know the " pace" of the pitch and adjust their strokes. This is also great training for when they start playing on different surfaces.
The full length match pitch is a cumbersome beast and difficult to lug around. The Flicx Carry Cradle has made it a lot easier but still not perfect. We are working on something that will make it easier for you. However the need for this is becoming lower and lower as more and more Flicx Pitches are becoming permanent lays and left down for the season or even longer.
In essence, I do believe that the Flicx pitch has done what it was designed to do. To provide many youngsters in this world an opportunity to learn and play the game of cricket, no matter their social or economic situation and for them to move onto more traditional playing surfaces and ultimately through to turf.
I certainly hope that it will continue to do that, especially as the Ashes are now back home. We all know what happened after 2005 and the huge influx of cricket into the game. Hopefully this year’s win will continue that interest, which will of course continue to put on extra pressure onto facilities.
Please contact me directly should there be any further sensitivities. I am on 07900883630 or email ricx@flicx.co.uk and the webb is www.flicx.co.uk.
I would also like to offer Mr Lawarence an opportunity for a free trial on the Flicx Pitch which hopefully you will see the benefits of the playing surface
Richard Beghin - Founder and developer of the Flicx Pitch
Jon, best find a level cut bit of ground mate and give a fair evaluation one thinks.....
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
Well Mr.Beghin
Thanks for the belated advert. Its a pity all the people who sell the Flix wicket do not sell in the manner in which you describe it.
Hindsight is a wonderfull thing but I have to say its been the biggest waste of over 2k our club has ever spent, as with all clubs, the money was easy to come by.
As it being a portable wicket in any sense, then that is just a joke. The company we dealt with had, in their catalogue, a picture of a lady pulling the wicket loaded onto the cradle on her own. That really is a joke and the company should have been done under the trades description act.
Its a complete waste of money and hugely ovver priced
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Obviously I meant to say the money was NOT easy to come by!!! 
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Hi Barry, Thank you very much for your quick response. Iam terribly sorry that you were oversold on the Flicx Pitch and would happily discuss some sort of a trade in or partial refund depending on the current condition. We currently have a customer looking for a second hand batting end for his nets.
However I would also be happy to come out and visit you at your club and discuss the installation process for next season, should the need arise.
Regarding the photograph, I took this picture myself and did watch the women pulling the Flicx pitch on the cradle. However Iam guessing the surface conditions could be very different from the conditions you have experienced as it was in late summer, the grass was short and thus the under foot conditions were alot easier to pull the pitch along. I will agree that this is very different if you have long grass and its wet underfoot. Thus the need for a design of a new one for the harsher conditions
Rich
Hi Rich
I dont know what steriods that woman was on then because I cant move it on my own and Im 6 3 and 220 lbs at any time of the year.
We bought this and was sold it, on the idea of using it primarily for colts use. As groundsman I was not keen on leaving permantely laid down by the side of the square. "No problem" we were told, "just bring it out when you need it". Idiotically we did not ask to see it used somewhere else.
Did the woman also load the 2 mats onto the cradle on her own as well? If so, Id like to meet her but definitely would not want to upset her in any way.
We used it for a couple of colts games, or rather tried to use it for a couple of colts games before I laid it down next to our 2 all weather nets. But I had to put the 2 surfaces down seperately because joining the 2 up and getting them to lie flat where they join was impossible. I also rolled them after they were put down.
Apart from a few throw downs , they have not been used at all and the grass has now grown right through them.
I will pass your offer on of a partial refund to our committee at the next meeting.
The name of the company we bought them off escapes me but the guy who ran it was an ex-Essex player , Im sure you will know who I mean.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Hi Barry, Thats great.. I know exactly who you are refering to and will have a chat to them, Give me a call after you have chatted to the committee and let see what we can do..
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Rich
Barry
I dont know what steriods that woman was on
Did the woman also load the 2 mats onto the cradle on her own as well? If so, Id like to meet her but definitely would not want to upset her in any way.
What with the ladies waddling out to inspect your pitch and now the weightlifters your not endearing yourself to the fairer sex mate
lol
27 Oct 2009 by mario
I do not wish to 'jump on the bandwagon', Rich, but I have had exactly the same experience to Barry. I am not looking for a refund either!
We bought two full size mats to roll out onto the outfield to enhance the facilities for our juniors. We were also led to believe that they would be completely suitable for seniors use, especially for training atop a concrete base. Our seniors complained about the skidding and almost to a man, wouldn't use them.
Using the supplied cradle was completely inadequate. In fact, I would go so far as to say - not fit for purpose.
Under the weight of half a roll, it simply splayed it's legs under the load. I ended up rolling it into the front bucket of my tractor and unceremoniously dumping it wherever it was required.
This lasted one season only!!
Presently, they are in four halfs. Two are in concrete nets with a thin rubber mat placed on top to stop the 'skidding'.
So why not place the mat directly on top of the concrete? I hear you ask!
Well - when it rains - as it has a tendency to do in Scotland - and with the concrete not allowing total run-off of the water, the Flicx allows use of the net shortly after rainfall for our juniors. Seniors still don't like them!
The other two are rolled into a prepared grass surface and are well encased in grass. Fine for our juniors. Seniors think they are, well let's just say, inadequate apart from throw-downs!
I will be contemplating taking them out but am not looking forward to this exercise as I suspect it could be difficult, unless you have any tips on removal that is.
I know no boundaries.
Paul
In all seriousness, the picture is a joke. It took me and another 16 stone bloke to move it 200 over thefar side of the ground next to our artificial nets.
What makes it worse is that buying it was my idea!
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Hi Mario,
Thank you very much for your email. You are right the Flicx Pitch was never really designed for seniors, although in Europe and America it has been used at Club level. ( I am sorry that you were lead to believe that it was suitable for seniors) It is certainly a Junior Pitch for getting grass roots cricket going. I have however seen it being used for 1st and 2nd team practice, where the coach has used it in the nets to get the batsmen used to a faster surface and improve reaction times.
I would much prefer to see the Flicx Pitch being used correctly and I guess by trying to use it for seniors is like trying to use a Rolls Royce to pull the gang mower,, just not right
We do not recommend that you put the Flicx Pitch directly on top of the concrete as the surface, like any synthetic , reflects the underlying base. We recommend that you use either a shock pad which then cushions the bounce.
Please have a look at the video that discusses the installation process, it also shows how the cradle is used for easy lifting .. If your cradle does not perform to this standard, please let me know and I will get it replaced or repaired. I have attached a link to the relevant page for ease. http://www.flicx.co.uk/faqs or go onto the FAQs on the www.flicx.co.uk website
The section on how to use the cradle is about halfway through the video.
We have also found it easier to lug around with it properly strapped up using the straps provided. Should you require any extra straps we have them in stock
Regarding lifting the pitch from where the grass has grown through and matted, this is not an easy process. We firstly recommend that you leave it down, unless it must be lifted. However the easiest way is to start from one end and start rolling it and then with shears cut the grass from the underside of the Flicx surface as you continue to roll it up.
We have an agent up in Scotland and I would be happy to direct him in your direction to assist if you feel thats needed.
Gentlemen, I do hear your arguments regarding the issues of the Flicx Pitch. However when the Flicx Pitch is rolled out correctly on a properly prepared flat undersurface and used at the correct level it works well and has provided many youngster the opportunity to get into the game of cricket, which without it, he or she may never have done so..
I certainly believe that it works and I guess that it has now been around in the UK and around the world for the last ten years indicates that it must be doing something right. I am going to suggest have a look at this video on installation as discussed above and if it still does not work I will happily come out and have a look at the problem and see if we can resolve it.
Rich
webb:www.flicx.co.uk
email ricx@flicx.com
Wait a minute, Im not having this.
On one hand Rich you are saying that it is not suitable to put over concrete without laying out even more money and yet on the other hand you say it is primarily meant for kids and how it is some sort of Holy Grail , without which some kids would not have got into cricket.
It doesnt take a flix wicket with an expensive shock pad laid underneath to enable kids to play cricket on a playground. all you need is the playground , a set of quick cricket stumps and a tennnis ball in its simplest manner or a windball. The surface of the flix in my humble opinnion makes it more dangerous for kids to play rather than just using the playground surface cos it can be slippery.
The biggest problem why kids dont get into cricket in say inner cities is that there is no one to take and coach them and the Governent, as usual, puts no money into it, as they dont do with most sports.
You say you have found it "easier" to lug around when using the cradle. "Easier" than what? Trying to pick it up and put it over your shoulder? Ill give you that but either of those 2 options is not practical or possible imo.
There is only one person in this little posting that has said its ok.
If the flix is no good for laying out on concrete without extra expense and cant be moved if you place it on grass where it also is prone to being damgerous wwhen wet,where the hell are you meant to use it?
Sorry Rich for the rant but you came on here stating what a great product it is and how it has helped kids into cricket when the people who have to try and use it and move it, i.e, groundsman , say the opposite.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Barry,
With the greatest of respect there are more qualified coaches now than ever, so don't go down that route again. I am on the edge of London and every cricket club around here has 5 or 6- at least - qualified coaches. I am not ensuring the standard but they are there and coaching hundreds of kids most evenings of the week.
Vic
Yes Vic there are more coaches in clubs.
I meant coaches or teachers to take cricket at School not clubs. Cricket in the majority of state schools is non existent and certainly having a flix wicket at school is not going to do jack to get kids into cricket. Its clubs that get kids into cricket,not the ECB, not schools and most certainly it has nothinng to do with the flix wicket and I take exception to Mr.Rich coming on here blathering on about how great the flix wicket is and what a great part it has played in bringing cricket to kids.
Oh wheres that wine bottle? Mind the blood pressure Barry
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Do they use this stuff on walkways on golfcourses green diamond shapes
Who is it that trains those club coaches Barry?
Mr Beghin could have chosen to ignore this thread but came on to answer questions and in certain cases offer some support.
And who is it that gives their time up for nothing to coach the kids at clubs Vic? The ECB is paid to run courses,they dont do it for nothing, club coaches do.
Yep Mr.Beghin is doing it out of the kindness of his heart,
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Choice Barry. None of us are forced. We choose to coach kids because we love the game and want to put something back into a game that has given us loads. There are also a great number of coaches, who , like groundsmen are paid for their services to clubs.
Vic
It looks like Mr Beghin is well associated with flicx and is rightly standing his corner, he would find it hard to ignore it.
Come off it Vic, how many coaches at their own clubs get paid? The majority of coaches trying to teach kids are not paid for the reasons you state.
Its schools where we are missing out. The vast majority of schools have little or no cricket. But then again we are living in a society whose Governments ( well this one at least but the other mob are not much better) have deemed competitive sport at school not to be a good thing.
Where as anyone with half a brain knows the opposite is true.
As far as Mr.Beghin is concerned I will pass on his kind comments to our committee re his possible offer of a refund. I will report on the outcome.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Just got back from holiday to read the above threads with interest. In my original thread I hope I didn't intimate that the Flixc Pitch was a panacea. I too was led to believe that it would provide the ideal solution for kiddies' practice.
I will elaborate. Our club uses a public playing field, also used by two football clubs in the winter, on a ridge and furrow field. Finding suitable areas for juniors to practise on is a nightmare. With the help of lottery and Taverners funding, plus a donation from a local charity we now have a single net area. But this didn't solve the match practice problem. There were no areas on the field where you could prepare a grass track that had any semblance for a true or safe bounce. A Flicx Pitch seemed to be the answer to our prayers from what you read in their literature. So, this time with Parish Council assistance, we bought one. The idea was to roll it out every Friday night in two halves on separate areas of the field and, hey presto, you have 3 practice aresa up and running. As I said last time, the result was a major disappointment.
So for the next season we had to resort to Plan B and lay it down as a single strip, taking advice from Flicx as the best way to do it. It's now well established and does the job of a decent artificial wicket for junior practice. If anyone has another half or full strip I'd be very willing to take it off their hands and our junior practice facilities are sorted.
I have contacted Mr.Beghin after reporting back to my committee, to see if there is any mileage on his offer of possible compensation due to the fact that the flix did not fulfill the requirements we were told it could.
I await his reply with interest
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
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