University and Waratah Cricket Club announce merger

A fallen NT cricket club has been handed a lifeline from a longtime rival and fellow Darwin club. Find out the details.

The Waratah and University Cricket clubs have agreed to a merger ahead of the 2024 Darwin Cricket Season. Picture: Supplied

A big Darwin cricket club merger is on the cards following the University Cricket Club’s announcement it would fold last month.

Waratah Cricket Club has extended a lifeline to their University rivals confirming the clubs had agreed to amalgamate.

University life member Matt Stevens told the NT News in February that his beloved club’s demise had been brought on by a severe lack of volunteers and funding constraints.

“A lack of volunteers is one of the main reasons for us folding,” he said at the time.

“A lack of volunteers nowadays is an issue for all clubs.”

The Waratah and University Cricket clubs have agreed to a merger ahead of the 2024 Darwin Cricket Season. Picture: Supplied

A Waratah Cricket Club spokesman said the agreement was a great outcome for the club, which had worked hard to secure the deal.

“This is a great outcome which provides a significant boost to the Club,” a club statement read.

“It also provides a significant opportunity by way of membership growth and perfectly positions the Club to take advantage of the new CDU Darwin CBD Campus and the anticipated influx of cricket loving international students from the subcontinent.”

In return the seven University life members will be recognised by Waratah and the club’s history will be upheld.

Originally published as University and Waratah Cricket Club announce merger