The debate on how cricket should be structured in the Goulburn Valley region has long been a talking point amongst supporters and followers of the summer sport.
Yet the discussion on what path local cricket needs to take has gone up a notch following the recent news of Seymour District Cricket Association outfit Eastern Hill putting forth an application to join neighbouring competition Cricket Shepparton.
That proposal to join was knocked over earlier this week when Cricket Shepparton officials opted against welcoming an 18th club to its ranks.
Recently appointed Cricket Shepparton president Narelle Claney revealed to The News that some clubs were in favour of welcoming Eastern Hill, yet there wasn’t a majority due to “a lot of different reasons” ― most issues factoring around travel and structure.
“We just need to stop, think, and come up with a plan for cricket for the region,” Claney said.
So what is the best plan for cricket in the region?
Well, to come to that conclusion representatives from Cricket Shepparton, SDCA, Murray Valley Cricket Association and Goulburn Murray Cricket Association, as Northern Rivers, need to sit down and work co-operatively and in the best interests for cricket.
Until that moment, I’m offering my two cents worth on the issue.
Instead of witnessing clubs and associations fold and disappear into the ether, why not create a higher level of competition that allows for all four associations to join.
Perhaps you title this higher competition the Goulburn Murray Premier League.
Clubs from across the region will field their highest grade in this competition and, while we’re spit-balling ideas, let’s call this grade ‘’Premier’’.
For example, Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield sides could be elevated to this Premier grade along with other A-grade sides from remaining associations.
Central Park-St Brendan’s taking on Cobram under the peppercorn trees at the showgrounds oval and Eastern Hill travelling to play Echuca by the banks of the Murray River.
Why create an entirely new association?
It allows the four leagues to continue servicing their region, junior pathways and not lose touch with their history.
You could cap this competition at 15 clubs and bring in a promotion-relegation structure if you want to raise the stakes.
I understand the counter-argument of depleting the Haisman Shield grade, but you would still have sides compete in this competition who are challenging for promotion to this Premier division.
It gives players who want to test themselves against the best in the region a chance to do that, while it allows those in B-grade an opportunity to become better cricketers against quality players.
Discussions are already beginning in Cricket Shepparton to split the Haisman Shield into two divisions ― seven teams in division one and two respectively.
Majority of players at one Haisman Shield club that finished outside of finals last year favour this proposal, so it shows players want to have a crack against similar-skilled opponents.
The topics of start times and travel is a concern, but perhaps changing start times to 11.30am in Premier will help those travelling in getting to the ground on time and leaving before 6pm to reach the local watering hole by the time counter meals end.
So that covers the Premier grade side of things.
What about juniors, lower grades, start times, umpires and format?
Well, that would be up to each of the four associations, but some alterations and changes would need to happen.
Using Cricket Shepparton as an example, Old Students could field a Premier side in the GMPL, an A-grade side (old B-grade), B-grade (formerly C-grade) and C-grade (formerly D-grade) and remove E-grade.
Clubs such as Pine Lodge, who currently field B-grade, can field an A-grade side, and the Invergordon lads can still continue their march up through the ranks.
By dropping the required number of grades and giving cricketers on the fringe a chance to play A-grade in Cricket Shepparton could see clubs such as Toolamba return from being in recess.
There is still a big divide on which grades play two-day cricket and which focus on white ball, but it makes the most sense to have B and C-grades play one-day cricket.
Shift under-16s to Friday night games to help free up the next best young talent in playing seniors on Saturday and keep the under-14s on a Saturday morning.
Most reading this may not agree on any of the ideas that have been thrown up and that’s okay, but how cricket is going to look in the region is going to take more than just throwing a few ideas up, that is clearly something we can all agree on.