CV Board endorses Premier merger

The proposal had been agreed to by both clubs last month, and now paves the way for the merged entity to contest in the Bartercard Premier Cricket Competition from season 2015-16 onwards.

“I applaud club Presidents, Michael Findlay (Dandenong) and Petar Ivetic (Hawthorn-Monash University), and their respective members for taking a big picture view of the current and future Premier Cricket landscape,” Cricket Victoria Premier Cricket Strategy and Development Manager Mike Ronchi said.

“CV congratulates all concerned on the measured and professional manner that the merger negotiations were carried out.”

The immediate impact of this amalgamation is that, as it stands, the Bartercard Premier Cricket competition would be reduced to 17 clubs for the 2015-16 season, delivering CV the option to explore and offer up an opportunity for a new club to join the competition for season 2015-16.

“The Dandenong and Hawthorn-Monash University merger, combined with significant financial investment and support from CV, is an ideal strategic shift for a number of reasons,” Ronchi said.

“We anticipate the combination of the clubs will create an energetic and sustainable entity that will quickly prove to be competitive not only on the field, but off the field, whilst at the same time further consolidate elite cricket in the south east metropolitan region.

“More importantly, the merger frees-up the CV strategy to expand the footprint of Premier Cricket into areas and regions that could be well serviced by the elite competition.”

CV is in the process of determining the criteria, process and timing for a call of expressions of interest.

This would take effect from the 2015-16 season.

“A holistic business case will need to form the foundation of any organisation who wishes to pitch to compete in the Premier Cricket Competition with the key areas of facilities, sustainability, community support and committed investment by local government,” Ronchi said.

“CV is not limiting its options and we will be keen to encourage interest from all areas of the Victorian cricketing communities.”

The expression of interest process will be finalised and circulated within the cricket community.