UCA collaboration announces
Circular Cricket Gear Hub

Operating to mid-September this year, the hub will be led by SCC’s Spencer ONE – the club’s community outreach programme – and managed in partnership and collaboration with The Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD) at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Surrey Cricket Foundation and sporting goods retailer Decathlon.

The move follows the collaborative pilot project last year, when up to 400 donations were made by players past and present to be distributed to state schools in need and disadvantaged individuals and groups. 

“As we saw with the pilot, donated cricket gear is typically of high quality, and perfect for those who want to play but find new equipment unaffordable,” said SCC Managing Director Jamie Greig. “The hub gives free entry for those who find their economic circumstances a barrier to playing.”

Decathlon’s Wandsworth store in Southside Shopping Centre will act as donation drop off point from 1 July to 1 August, with cricket kit then sent to the Hub for re-distribution to schools and groups.

Chris Allen, UK Communications & Impact Leader, Decathlon UK, said: “We're incredibly excited about this circular initiative. Cricket is a sport with deep roots in local communities and a strong sense of national pride, often nurtured through schools and clubs. Access to valuable equipment is often a barrier for many who want to play.

“By giving pre-loved gear a second life, we're not only reducing waste, but we're directly helping more people connect with this fantastic game, ensuring it continues to thrive at all levels.”

Research and a pilot project completed by CfSD indicated that millions of cricket gear and clothing items come to their end of life each year, often ending up stored in attics, garages and the backs of clubs; some thrown away. “Much of it is of good quality and can be reused,” said CfSD Director, Professor Martin Charter.

He added: “Last year’s pilot at Spencer Cricket Club showed what could be achieved by developing a process for donations and redistribution of unwanted gear. The quality and number of donations exceeded our expectations and allowed gear to be donated to more local schools than originally planned.”

The Circular Cricket Gear Hub at SCC will step into shoes of the Lord’s Taverners Cricket Kit Recycling scheme as the major player in cricket gear reuse in the UK, following Lord’s Taverners decision to close its scheme – targeting state schools and disadvantaged groups based in south London and North Surrey.

“Lord’s Taverners’ excellent scheme was the sport’s biggest reuse programme that delivered real impact,” said Prof. Charter. “Its closure leaves a gap that SCC ONE has taken the initiative to fill.”

CfSD is also working with SCC on an online stock management tool for the Circular Cricket Gear Hub to smooth the end-to-end donation process and make it more time efficient and transparent for the club and its donors, and recipients such as state schools, disadvantaged groups and individuals.

The tool builds on previous research and projects completed by CfSD and will log donations and redistributions and be able to calculate the landfill and carbon savings associated with reuse rather than replacement. In addition, CfSD will carry out research to identify the social impact of the scheme among the recipients of the cricket gear and clothing.

To learn more about UCA's Centre for Sustainbable Design, visit the webpage.