Sustainability and Cricket

13^th May 2026
7.00 – 8.00 PM
Online via Teams

Organised by the Cricket Research Network in association with PASIC and The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA

Introduction
Cricket is the world’s 2^nd largest sport and the short form of the game in booming worldwide. Sustainability issues are already impacting on the sport through rising temperatures and air pollution impacting on player’s health and the flooding of grounds disrupting the resilience and operation of clubs. A less understood and reported area is significant waste associated with cricket gear and clothing. There has been very little research or innovation completed related to circularity of cricket gear and clothing with repair, refurbishment and reuse happening only at piecemeal level.

The webinar is organised by the Cricket Research Network in association with PASIC and The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA and includes three presentations covering various aspects of sustainability and cricket including a panel discussion and Q&A

The event is delivered as part of the 2C project that is progressing circularity in cricket in Wandsworth. The project focuses on extending the life of cricket equipment through place-based reuse and repair systems, transforming underutilised gear into accessible resources for players who would otherwise face barriers to participation.

Audience
‘Sustainability and Cricket’ will be of interest to those engaged in sustainability, climate change, circular economy and cricket and other sports. This will include recreational and professional cricket players, club chairs, head of sport at schools, directors of academies, cricket administrators, brands and researchers.

Agenda

• 7.00   Introduction
  Professor Philippa Velija, Interim Dean: School of Education, University of Roehampton
• 7.05   Presentation, Panel Discussion & Q&A
  Chair: Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA
  • Designing for Circularity: Cricket Gear and Clothing
    Dr Lilian Sanchez-Moreno, Postdoctoral Researcher – Circular Economy, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA
  • Camboom Project: Case Study on Bamboo Cricket Bat Development
    Dr Darshil Shah, Co-Leader, Centre for Natural Material Innovation (CNMI), University of Cambridge
  • Developing a Women’s Cricket Clothing Brand and the Challenges of Integrating Circularity
    Leigh Burns, Founder & CEO, Lacuna Sports
• 8.00   Close

About the Presentations

Dr Lilian Sanchez-Moreno will explore how the principles of circular design can be applied to cricket gear and clothing to reduce environmental impact and extend product lifecycles. The presentation will outline key circular strategies that can be applied, including modularity, material replacement, repairability, and circular business models. Using examples from projects completed via PASIC focused on cricket protective gear (softs), and performance apparel, the presentation will highlight challenges and opportunities for innovation in materials, design and business models, such as take-back schemes and direct re-use.

Dr Darshil Shah will highlight his pioneering research on bamboo cricket bats completed over the last 6 years. Traditional English willow bats depends on a fragile supply chain facing willow shortages and cost up to £1,000 which deepens cricket’s long-standing inequalities – especially across low- and middle-income communities. The Camboom project will be presented that is developing CNC-fabricated bamboo bats for under £50, built for recreational players and tailored through generative design to their unique playing preferences.

Leigh Burns will highlight the significant gap in female cricket clothing market and growing needs in the game. In addition, she will discuss the issues related to the real-life challenges of developing a small clothing brand trying to be as circular as realistically possible.

About the Speakers

Professor Martin Charter is Founder & Director of The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA with 30 years working on product sustainability and innovation. He is author many books including Designing for the Circular Economy and presently chair of BSI Circular Economy Committee. Martin also founded and chairs Farnham Repair Cafe which received a Kings Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Dr Lilian Sanchez-Moreno is a postdoctoral researcher at The Centre for Sustainable Design ® at UCA. She has a background in industrial design and completed a PhD in Design at the University of Brighton with a focus on social design. Her postdoctoral research spans from sustainable design, product circularity to circularity within the sports sector, specifically cricket and fashion policy.

Dr Darshil Shah co-leads the CNMI at the University of Cambridge, and looks to understand the relationships between materials, society, technology, history and nature, to design and innovate products for improved environmental and social sustainability. Shah played youth international cricket and is keen for the game to reach to wider communities.

Leigh Burns is the founder and CEO of Lacuna Sports Ltd, a women’s performance cricket wear company created to address the massive gap in the market for female cricketers. Previously, Leigh spent 10 years at International SOS, a global travel risk management and assistance company, holding various executive commercial and strategic roles. She is Trustee to Bat for a Chance, a charity providing upcycled and unused kit and equipment to players in need.

Registration
The event is free of charge, but you need to register via rcarruthers@uca.ac.uk by sending your Name, Surname, Job Title, and Organisation. On receipt, you will be sent confirmation and instructions on how to join the workshop.

Further information
For more information contact:
Ros Carruthers
The Centre for Sustainable Design ®
Business School for the Creative Industries
UCA
+44 (0) 1252 892772