First stage of the Melbourne Metropolitan Turf Cricket restructure to be implemented

Following a meeting last night with the Victorian Turf Cricket Association and clubs from the south east bayside area, clubs indicated that they wish to proceed with the model developed by Cricket Victoria.

“This is an exciting time for cricket in Victoria and it is an important first step. Our primary goal is to better support grassroots cricket in Melbourne, and looking for new and better ways to do that,” Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said.

“Direct support from Cricket Victoria for grassroots cricket competition management is a critical component of the new model and we are pleased to be able to set this up in the first area of Melbourne. We thank our colleagues at the VTCA for their ongoing engagement and cooperation in the process.

“While the South East Bayside competition will build towards a 2016-17 launch, Cricket Victoria will continue to work with all associations and clubs in other areas of Melbourne on a transitional plan for metropolitan turf cricket.  

“We are very understanding this will take time, however, we are pleased to begin the implementation of the first new entity.

“We were involved last week in an announcement of $1.35 million into community cricket facilities in partnership with Cricket Australia and the State Government, further demonstrating that by working closer together we can achieve great outcomes for community cricket. This is another move in that direction.”

The next step is the establishment of a working party within the south east bayside area that will determine the competition structure for the 2016-17 season.

The Melbourne Metropolitan Turf Cricket Taskforce was established by Cricket Victoria three years ago to examine the purpose, role and organisation of Melbourne metropolitan turf cricket and to propose improvements and recommendations to the structure.

More information on the Melbourne Metropolitan Turf Cricket Taskforce can be found here