Nets Policy

Hatherley & Reddings Cricket Club (HRCC) policy is that all official ‘net sessions’ are wherever possible (and always for youth players), supervised by a qualified coach who will enforce the Net Policy. Responsibility for net usage (and any subsequent damage) remains with the coach or ‘deemed person in charge’.

People using the nets without the supervision of a qualified coach do so at their own risk. HRCC will not accept responsibility for unaccompanied children using the nets facility. Use of the nets is subject to availability with the club and other booked/team sessions take priority.

The Cricket Committee reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of net use from members who do not follow the rules set out below.

You may only use the outdoors nets if you meet all the following criteria:

1. You are a paid up member of HRCC or have permission from the Cricket Committee.
2. Permission is given to the members of any organisation who have booked the facility for the time slot that it has been booked for.
3. You are following the Net safety rules
4. You are abiding by the Kit and equipment rules.

Net Safety Rules

1. The net is only to be used with the gate open and locked against the side. You must not pass the combination of the lock on to any other individual.
2. All persons within the net should be looking towards the batting end whenever possible and remain vigilant to where the ball is being struck by the batter(s).
3. No spectators are to be in the net
4. Batters should pad up outside the net area and not in the batter’s line of sight.
5. Bowlers should only bowl when the batter is ready.
6. Balls should be returned immediately by the batter and not left to lie loose in the net. Bowlers should not bowl if a loose ball is in the net.
7. Bowlers should take care not to cross into another lane to retrieve a ball
8. Bowling must be in accordance with the laws of cricket. (From legal distance, legal action, no deliberate excess of short bowling)
9. Bowling machines should only be used by those qualified and/or authorised to do so.
10. All rubbish/litter is to be placed in the bin and the net area left tidy after each session. No food or drink is to be taken into the nets.
11. The nets must be locked after use
12. A loud cry of “STOP” should halt the activity in all nets immediately to address any safety problems

Kit & Equipment Rules

1. No kit bags should be placed on the artificial playing surface, or within the hitting direction of the batter
2. Suitable footwear must be worn i.e. rubber-soled (non marking) cricket shoes or trainers.
3. No spiked footwear or non-sports shoes are allowed.
4. Batters working with a hard ball must wear adequate protection, helmet, box, pads etc
5. All Under 18s must bat in a helmet.
6. The surface of the nets must not be marked with chalk or any other material. Cones, discs or similar non marking items should be used instead.
7. The bowling machine must only be used by those with permission, and only in the net specified for this purpose (left net).
8. Only proper leather cricket balls, bowling machine balls, tennis balls or purpose made “incrediballs” to be used in nets. No Footballs to be used in the nets.

Any issues of concern should be brought to the attention of the Club Safeguarding Officer.