Notts Sport

What Notts Sport does

Notts Sport Ltd is a privately held UK manufacturer and installer of synthetic sports pitch surfacing systems, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Ashby Magna, Leicestershire. The company designs, manufactures and supplies artificial playing surfaces for cricket, hockey, football, rugby, multi-use games areas and playgrounds, serving schools, sports clubs, local authorities, national governing bodies and private developers. Its portfolio spans the CocoTurf family (marketed as the world's first plastic-free artificial grass and cricket surface), the ShockWave range (Platinum, Onyx and Hockey variants), NottsGrass Ultra, the ChildsPlay playground system, PowerPlay PICS and PureGrain surfacing. Notts Sport holds ECB-Approved Non-Turf Pitch System certification and is the Official Facilities Partner to England Hockey, Hockey Wales and Great Britain Hockey, with that partnership renewed through January 2029.

The company's revenue model blends one-time product supply and installation contracts with professional services (pitch design and technical advisory) and the Fast Track Funding programme, a managed-service/financing layer that bundles project capital with product supply to lower the upfront barrier for institutional buyers. Distribution is delivered through direct sales, a curated approved installer network (Bingham, Slatter, ADSUM, Bernhards) and international distributors; digital channels such as the Build A Cricket.Net platform (launched February 2024) extend customer reach. Notts Sport employs roughly 20+ staff and is family-influenced, with Shaun Patrick as Chairman and a leadership team led by CEO Duncan Bennett and Managing Director Andrew Earnshaw following a November 2024 restructuring.

Following an April 2024 rebrand from the legacy 'Synthetic Surfaces' positioning, Notts Sport has centred sustainability and plastic-free innovation in its growth narrative. The March 2025 launch of CocoTurf and the November 2025 launch of CocoTurf Cricket, supplemented by the Tree Nation partnership and SAPCA Sustainability Product of the Year 2026 award, anchor that positioning, while partnership renewals (England Hockey to 2029, Oxfordshire Cricket 3-year deal) and the appointment of an International Sales Manager signal commercial scaling beyond the core UK base.

Name

Notts Sport

Legal name

Notts Sport Ltd

Website

https://nottssport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Notts Sport Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer and installer of synthetic sports pitch surfacing systems for cricket, hockey, football, rugby and playgrounds, supplying schools, clubs, local authorities and national governing bodies through direct sales and an approved installer network since 1984.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Synthetic Sports Surfacing

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards) (EDAEAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Team Sports Equipment & Apparel Distribution (CRAOAJAA)

Keywords

• Synthetic sports surfacing
• Artificial cricket pitches
• Hockey pitch systems
• Playground safety surfacing
• 3G football pitches

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashby Magna

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Synthetic Sports Surface Supply: Design and supply of synthetic surfacing systems for cricket, hockey, rugby, football, and multi-use games areas. Customers select from comprehensive product portfolio with expert consultation
2. Design and Advisory Services: Free design and advisory service provided with surface supply, covering feasibility studies, planning, specification, tender support, and project management through to installation
3. Fast Track Funding: Innovative funding solution enabling schools, academies, local authorities to access facilities without upfront capital. Facility generates income through community lettings to cover costs over funding period up to 7 years
4. Approved Installer Network: Partnership with approved installers (Bingham Grounds Services, Slatter Cricket and Play) for professional installation across UK regions

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Notts Sport designs, supplies, and supports installation of proprietary artificial sports surfacing systems for cricket, hockey, football, rugby, multi-use games areas, and playgrounds. The company provides a free Design and Advisory Service bundled with surface supply, covering feasibility, specification, planning, tender support, and project management through to installation by an approved installer network. Core revenue comes from selling branded product families — CocoTurf, NottsGrass Ultra, NGU systems, ShockWave shockpads, ChildsPlay, PowerPlay PICS, PureGrain, and 3G football systems — augmented by the Fast Track Funding finance solution.

Product overview

Notts Sport is a leading UK specialist in artificial sports pitch surfacing offering a comprehensive portfolio of synthetic turf solutions. The core product family includes CocoTurf (non-plastic artificial grass from natural coconut fibres), CocoTurf Cricket (plastic-free cricket surface), NottsGrass Ultra cricket systems (ECB-accredited NGU NottsBase, NGU Envelope, and NGU Macadam systems), PowerPlay Instant Cricket Surface (portable indoor/outdoor solution), and the NottsGrass Ultra Indoor System (ECB-approved). ShockWave shockpad products (Platinum, Onyx, Hockey) provide sustainable base technology for artificial pitches. Additional offerings include ChildsPlay playground surfacing, PureGrain plant-based infill, hockey surfacing systems, 3G football pitches, Fast Track Funding (no-capital-cost financing), and the Build A Cricket.Net online design platform. The company operates as both product manufacturer and design/advisory service provider, with ECB accreditation for cricket systems and official facilities partnership with England Hockey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CocoTurf: World's first non-plastic artificial grass made from natural coconut fibres. Zero plastics, zero microplastics and PFAS. Designed for playground and recreational surfacing.
• CocoTurf Cricket
• ShockWave
• Powerplay Instant Cricket Surface (PICS)
• ChildsPlay
• NottsGrass Ultra
• PureGrain
• Fast Track Funding

Products and services

• CocoTurf World's first non-plastic artificial grass made from natural coconut fibres, jute backing cloth and natural latex backing, providing safe, sustainable surfacing for playgrounds and play areas.
• CocoTurf Cricket World's first 100% natural, plastic-free artificial cricket surface made from coconut fibres, jute, and certified natural latex; designed to perform like a professional cricket pitch with authentic bounce, pace, and consistency. Oeko-Tex certified.
• NottsGrass Ultra Cricket Systems ECB-accredited cricket surfacing family featuring NottsGrass Ultra monofilament yarn technology, offered as three engineered base systems — NGU NottsBase (non-aggregate), NGU Envelope (encapsulated aggregate), and NGU Macadam (porous macadam) — providing consistent bounce and pace with lower maintenance than traditional aggregate pitches.
• NottsGrass Ultra Indoor System ECB-approved indoor cricket system combining a high-density shock pad with monofilament yarn technology to deliver realistic bounce, player protection, and durability under intensive indoor usage.
• PowerPlay Instant Cricket Surface (PICS) Portable, roll-out cricket surface that can be deployed by 2–3 people in 5–20 minutes on 3G pitches and gym flooring, enabling cricket to be played in previously inaccessible indoor and artificial venues.
• ShockWave Hockey High-performance shockpad specifically designed for hockey pitches, with a denser and stronger tile meeting FIH GEN2 and Hockey Plus performance standards; developed in collaboration with England and GB Hockey star Sam Ward.
• ShockWave Platinum 100% recyclable shockbase system that leads the shock pad market on sustainability, reducing the need for quarried aggregates and SPR infill while delivering optimal performance, player safety, and durability.
• ShockWave Onyx Sustainable shockpad within the ShockWave Collection for artificial turf systems, providing optimal performance and player safety with reduced environmental impact.
• ChildsPlay Cost-effective, high-performance safer surfacing system for playgrounds providing critical fall height protection up to 3.0 metres, using VHAF NottsSward artificial turf carpet available in 15 colours for new builds and refurbishments.
• 3G Football Pitches FIFA Quality specification artificial grass systems for football, combining performance shockpads with engineered surfaces to deliver consistent ball performance, player safety, and year-round usability from grassroots facilities to elite training environments.
• Hockey Surfacing Systems Complete hockey pitch solutions including sand-dressed, sand-filled, and water-based synthetic surfaces, positioned through the official England Hockey Facilities Partnership to offer FIH-compliant pitches for all levels of play.
• PureGrain Plant-Based Infill Plant-based infill made from the non-edible portion of corn cob, entirely plant-based, dust-free, and biodegradable, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber infills for 3G pitches.
• Build A Cricket.Net Platform Online platform allowing clubs and schools to design and customise cricket facilities with various cage designs, colours, dimensions, and configurations, streamlining planning and approval discussions with Notts Sport.
• Design and Advisory Service Free consultation service provided with surface supply, guiding clients through synthetic pitch design, specification, and installation, including complete scheme design from drainage through to fencing and floodlighting, with tender and after-sales support.
• Fast Track Funding Innovative funding solution enabling schools, academies, colleges, universities, and local authorities to obtain synthetic turf facilities without upfront capital costs, with the facility generating income through community lettings to cover costs over a funding period of up to 7 years.

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Oxfordshire CricketcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2024Three-year partnership through Slatter Cricket and Play supporting Oxfordshire Cricket's ten-year facilities strategy. Aims to improve and expand existing cricket facilities and open new venues to grow and sustain cricket in the county.
• England HockeyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2012Only Official Facilities Partner to England Hockey, Hockey Wales and Great Britain Hockey since 2012. Partnership renewed multiple times, current agreement running until January 2029. Reflects technical expertise and deep understanding of hockey developed through decades of experience. Partnership has delivered 147 pitches to clubs and schools around the UK.
• Tree-NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal reforestation platform partnership. Notts Sport plants trees to reduce carbon footprint, with pledge of one tree per 100 sqm of carpet provided monthly. To date over 2,044 trees planted across projects in Madagascar, Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania.
• Help for HeroescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity of the year partnership with annual Jack Patrick Memorial Cricket Day events. Over £160,000 raised since 2015 supporting wounded veterans and their families through comprehensive physical and mental health care, career assistance, and welfare support.
• Sam WardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngland and Great Britain Hockey star collaboration resulting in ShockWave Hockey X Sam Ward product. Sam Ward serves as Hockey Ambassador for Notts Sport, officially opening Bedford Hockey Club's new pitches.
• Bingham Grounds ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved cricket installer established 2005, covering southern UK regions. Family-run company renowned for excellence delivering high-quality solutions from construction through ongoing maintenance.
• Slatter Cricket and PlaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved cricket and playground installer for Oxfordshire and southern regions. Strong focus on cricket and playground solutions with innovative approach to constructing bespoke facilities.
• Lano SportscoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturing partner supplying S-Tec Integration Xperience sand-dressed carpet for hockey pitches.
• Thornton-Firkin LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management firm managing sports facility projects on behalf of educational trusts including Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust.
• ADSUM Sports SurfacesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved installer delivering cricket and sports surface installations to Notts Sport specifications.
• Hunts ContractorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInstallation partner for major projects including Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, achieving 100% recycling of old surfaces and shock-pads.
• Bernhards Sports SurfacesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved installer for projects including One Leisure St Neots and Trentham Academy hockey pitch refurbishments.
• BASIScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Association for Sustainability in Sport - Notts Sport is first corporate member. Duncan Bennett leads the Synthetic Turf working group within BASIS.
• SAPCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports and Play Construction Association - founding member. Active participation in Environmental Sustainability Focus Group and Betterment Through Design sub-committee.
• British Standards Committee - PRI57coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical committee participation feeding into CEN Working Group. Duncan Bennett and Adam Walker contribute to developing British and European standards for synthetic turf industry.
• ChildsPlay GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman partner for ChildsPlay playground surfacing systems, collaborating on projects including Erich Kästner School Hamburg streetball court.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Domo Sports Grass: Belgian specialist in artificial grass systems for hockey, football, rugby, and multi-sport facilities. Comparable mid-sized specialist competing with Notts Sport in European hockey and football surfacing projects.
• Limonta Sport: Italian manufacturer of synthetic sports surfaces for hockey, football, rugby, and tennis, with international project delivery comparable to Notts Sport. Overlapping FIH and FIFA-compliant hockey/football pitch product offerings make it a direct peer in synthetic surfacing.
• SIS Pitches: UK-based installer and supplier of artificial sports pitches (football, rugby, hockey) competing head-to-head with Notts Sport in the same education, club, and local-authority buyer segments. Directly comparable business model combining surfacing supply with installation services.
• Saltex: UK-based supplier and installer of artificial grass systems for sports, landscaping, and commercial use. Direct UK peer competing for the same schools, clubs, and local-authority surfacing contracts.
• Playrite: UK-based manufacturer of synthetic sports surfaces and needled carpet products for hockey, cricket, tennis, and multi-sport. Direct peer with overlapping UK customer base in schools, clubs, and local-authority surfacing projects.
• Polytan: German-headquartered specialist in synthetic sports surfaces (hockey, football, athletics) and a direct competitor in the UK hockey surfacing market. Notably, Polytan is also a manufacturing partner to Notts Sport via the S-Tec Integration Xperience sand-dressed carpet, illustrating how closely the two compete and collaborate across the FIH-compliant hockey segment.

Broad incumbents

• Mondo (Mondo Sport & Flooring): Italian-headquartered global manufacturer of sports surfaces including tracks, artificial turf, and indoor sports flooring. Provides overlapping sports surfacing products to UK and international markets, serving as a broader incumbent against Notts Sport.
• FieldTurf (Tarkett Sports): Global incumbent in artificial turf systems across football, American football, baseball, and hockey. Significantly larger scale and broader sport coverage than Notts Sport, but overlapping product technology and customer base in UK sports surfacing procurement.
• GreenFields: Dutch manufacturer and installer of synthetic turf systems for football, hockey, rugby, and other sports. Comparable product portfolio and FIH/FIFA-compliant systems, with broader European distribution than Notts Sport.
• CCGrass: One of the world's largest artificial grass manufacturers, headquartered in China with global distribution. Competes with Notts Sport in synthetic sports turf for football, hockey, and multi-use pitches at a substantially larger manufacturing scale and price point.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NottsSport
• Facebookfacebook.com/nottssport.syntheticsurfacing

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Notts Sport