GORDON McLeod says a restructuring of divisions is likely in the medium term as outside clubs look to join the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association.
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The Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) chairman told The Standard there were no formal plans as yet but a revamp was on the executive's radar.
It comes as more Grassmere Cricket Association (GCA) clubs look to shore up their long-term future after the 75-year-old league moved to pull up stumps at the end of its season.
Panmure, a former GCA powerhouse, voted to merge with WDCA outfit Allansford in July. Purnim - now known as Northern Raiders - then shifted to the WDCA. Grassmere, its co-tenant at Purnim Recreation Reserve, then voted to join the new identity in December.
We want clubs to come in but we want them to be sustainable. We don't want clubs to come in and disappear after two minutes.
- Gordon McLeod
Three-time GCA reigning premier Hawkesdale was the latest to signal an intent to move to the WDCA. Its understood the Cats will work to finalise a move in January.
McLeod said the WDCA wanted to ensure each of its divisions was competitive and viable. "We want to make cricket interesting, viable and give clubs the opportunity to play finals," he said.
He welcomed new clubs but pointed to the league's entry requirements.
"Clubs (wishing to join) have to make a formal submission as they need to be compliant with our affiliation fees and requirements," McLeod said.
WDCA clubs must currently field two senior and junior teams to comply with rules.
"We want clubs to come in but we want them to be sustainable. We don't want clubs to come in and disappear after two minutes.
"We're very big on promoting junior cricket and we know clubs who don't have juniors have their longevity limited as it's pretty hard to get senior players.
McLeod said cricket was "really healthy" in the Warrnambool district.
"We've tried a few different things with playing some matches mid-week this season and we probably need to look at that as it can be a bit taxing," he said.
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"But we know a lot of the players and clubs support the mid-week Twenty20 games. It can be a bit of a heavy burden as players have a higher chance of injury and things like that playing more matches.
"We've played some twilight games this year at Merrivale and next season we'll likely have Reid Oval too."
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
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