THE Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) will look at whether switching to align with South Australia is a better fit for local elite junior talent.
The SCA, along with the wider Mallee Murray region, is affiliated with Cricket Victoria, which is undergoing a major restructure in response to what it calls the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finer details of the restructure are yet to be released, however it is understood a major change will be the underage representative structure which could make it more difficult for Sunraysia’s top junior talent to make it to the elite level.
SCA president Andrew Farlie, also a former Mallee Murray regional cricket manager, said it would depend on what the Cricket Victoria restructure entailed.
“We’ll see what sort of model they come out with, I guess there’s options – a lot of the sports up here affiliate with South Australia so that could possibly be an option if that’s a better way forward giving kids opportunities,” Farlie said.
It is understood Melbourne-based Premier clubs are likely to run the Under-16 state championships, the Dowling Shield, and the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association will continue to operate the Under-15 John Craig Shield.
The state Under-14 and Under-18 championships in the Youth Premier League are likely to be scrapped, as are the under 15 and 17 national titles.
“At the moment the pathway sides such as the Murray Mallee play in the state championships, that would be reverted back to the old style where all the Premier clubs had a team each,” Farlie said.
“If our kids wanted to try out for it they would have to try out with one of the Premier clubs in Melbourne.
“At the moment it looks like the under 14s and under 18s are wiped out anyway … two levels of the state championships have been taken away already.”
Nothing would change administration-wise if the association was to switch.
“Effectively you are still affiliated with Cricket Australia, so nothing changes from the back end as far as insurance and that sort of stuff, but it’s the opportunities you then provide for the younger players to progress through the pathways of the game,” Farlie said.
“If there’s a better opportunity to provide those pathways through South Australian cricket then that’s something we can possibly have a look at.”
The South Australian Cricket Association is also undergoing change due to the pandemic, with 23 staff cut.
Cricket Victoria admitted there will be job losses within its structure, which Farlie said would impact the contact time grassroots cricket will have with the state body.
In a statement released last week, Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton said it had been a very challenging time for the organisation.
“Our people are the heart and soul of what makes Victorian cricket such a positive force for good in the community and it’s with real sadness that we have had to make these decisions,” Ingleton said.
Cricket Victoria expects internal changes to take effect this month.
It is unclear how these changes will affect Cricket Victoria’s Sunraysia-based staff.
