The Centre for Sustainable Design at UCA Business School is completing ongoing research into the sustainability of cricket gear and clothing building on an earlier stakeholder report. This webinar will provide key findings from two research projects that have been running between January and June 2022 and builds on the webinar covering the interim findings. The goals of the research were to:
Increase understanding of sustainability issues related to the design, making, delivery and use of cricket gear and clothing in the recreational and professional game.
Consider circular economy challenges and opportunities related to cricket gear and clothing in England and Wales.
Assess the degree to which climate change, circular economy and broader sustainability issues will act as a potential constraint on the development of the game.
Map sustainable innovation initiatives related to cricket gear and clothing in the amateur and professional game.
Identify opportunities for innovation to support the sustainable development of the game in England, Wales and internationally.
Webinar objectives
To provide final feedback on the findings from the two research studies on sustainability, cricket gear and clothing
To discuss issues emerging from the research with participants to ‘ground truth’ findings
Key findings
A lack of accessible data on the size of the UK market: how much cricket gear and clothing is purchased, by whom (individuals and clubs), how long it lasts before it is disposed of and what happens to it
There is a lack of published data and transparency within cricket gear and clothing supply chains.
There is continuing growth in global participation and an increase in England and Wales after a decline in recent years
The growth in participation will mean increasing demand for cricket gear and clothing with associated sustainability issues
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.
International regulations govern the use of materials in some cricket gear (e.g bats to be made from wood), and colours and designs used in clothing in the professional game. These present limits to sustainable innovation despite it being technically possible.
Sustainability is a new consideration for cricket gear and clothing design and development
The majority of cricket clothing is produced from polyester with limited use of other polymer or natural fibres
Sponsors’ logos on cricket clothing impacts on the length of time that it can be used and can be a barrier for reuse by other players/clubs.
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.
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 size of the market for bats, balls, personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing (value or number of items) in England Wales?
What is the average life of cricket gear and clothing, by type and by age and level of players? Is there a trend towards shorter life with lower quality products, sponsor requirements, etc?
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 recreational players buy cricket gear and clothing?
What are the barriers to sustainability being considered and incorporated in the design and development of cricket gear and clothing?
What are the obstacles to using natural fibres and polymers (other than polyester) in the development of cricket clothing? How much cricket gear and clothing do manufacturers, clubs, players and other stakeholders donate to reuse schemes?
What happens to cricket clothing in England and Wales at the “end of life”?
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
