As part of PASIC programme during 2022 The Centre for Sustainable Design at UCA Business School is completing further research into the sustainability of cricket gear and clothing building on its recent stakeholder report. This webinar will provide interim findings of current research and this will be followed by a 2nd webinar on 24th June where the overall findings from the project will be presented.
Understanding sustainability issues related to the designing, making, delivery and use of cricket gear and clothing in the amateur and professional game
Considering circular economy challenges and opportunities related to cricket gear and clothing in the amateur and professional game in the UK.
Assessing the degree to which climate change, circular economy and broader sustainability issues will act as a potential constraint on the development of the game.
Mapping sustainable innovation initiatives related to cricket gear and clothing in the amateur and professional game.
Identifying opportunities for innovation to support the sustainable development of the game in England, Wales and internationally
Webinar objectives
To provide interim feedback on the findings from current research on sustainability, cricket gear and clothing
To discuss issues emerging from the research with participants to ‘ground truth’ findings
Interim findings
A lack of accessible data on the size of the UK market: how much cricket gear and clothing are purchased, by whom (individuals and clubs), and how long it lasts before it is disposed of.
There is continuing growth in global participation and increase in England and Wales after a decline in recent years
The growth in global participation in game will mean increasing demand for cricket gear and clothing with associated sustainability issues.
There are few examples of sustainability considerations or innovation in cricket gear and clothing development.
There is a lack of published data regarding transparency within cricket gear and clothing supply chains
International regulations govern the use of materials in some cricket gear (e.g bats to be made from willow), and colours and designs used in clothing in the professional game, which presently limits sustainable innovation despite it being technically possible.
There is a lack of understanding of what happens to cricket and clothing when players have finished with it.
There are few reuse programmes for cricket clothing and it appears that the largest scheme receives significant donations of unsold inventory from manufacturers/ distributors, rather than extending the life of existing clothing.
Increased reuse of cricket gear and clothing could help to address the issue of increasing costs which is acting as a barrier to participation in lower income or disadvantaged groups.
Sponsors logos on cricket clothing can be a barrier for reuse by other players/clubs
The majority of cricket clothing is produced from polyester with limited use of other polymer or natural fibres
Changes in sponsorship in the professional game have a big impact on the length of time that clothing can be used
Programme
10:00
Introduction
Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD), Business School for Creative Industries (BSCI), UCA
Chris Whittaker, Chair, BASIS
10:05
Interim research findings
Tom Clark, Principal, Tom Clark & Associates
Joanna Czutkowna, Director, IWST & PhD candidate, CfSD, BSCI, UCA
10:25
Group discussion
Facilitated by Professor Martin Charter, Director, CfSD, BSCI, UCA
Key questions to be addressed
What is the rough estimate of the size of the market for bats, balls, personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing (value or number of items) in England Wales?
What proportion of cricket gear and clothing is purchased by individuals compared to clubs?
What is the main growth area in demand for cricket gear and clothing in England and Wales?
What is estimated to be the average life of cricket gear and clothing, by age and level of players? Is there a trend towards shorter life with lower quality products, sponsor requirements, etc?
Where do amateur players buy cricket gear and clothing? Has this changed over the last 5-10 years?
What are the key issues that inhibit sustainability being considered and incorporated in the design and development of cricket gear and clothing?
How many items of cricket gear and clothing do manufacturers, clubs, players and other stakeholders donate to schemes like Lords Taverners and others for reuse?
What happens to cricket clothing in England and Wales at the end of its 1st life? Does most of it go to community recycling banks and/or to landfill?
What are the obstacles to using natural fibres and polymers (other than polyester) in the development of cricket clothing?
What tools or resources are used by those involved in cricket gear and clothing design and development to help consider sustainability issues or more specifically circularity?
10:55
Summary
Facilitated by Professor Martin Charter, Director, CfSD, BSCI, UCA
11:00
Close
Audience
The webinar is targeted at producers, retailers and distributors of cricket gear and clothing, county cricket clubs and administrators
Registration
The event is free of charge but you need to register via mcharter@uca.ac.uk by sending your name, job title and organisation. On receipt, you will be sent instructions to join the webinar.
Further information
For more information contact: Professor Martin Charter The Centre for Sustainable Design ® Business School for the Creative Industries UCA mcharter@uca.ac.uk
Acknowledgement
The two research studies are being funded through the Strategic Priorities Fund delivered by Research England. Research England is part of UK Research and Innovation, a public body funded by the UK government. For more information visit www.ukri.org or re.ukri.org
