The GCA makes umpire retention a priority amid a 20 per cent jump in player participation

A reduction in the number of Geelong cricket umpires is a cause for concern for the local association after a 20 per cent leap in player participation last summer.

There were 32 umpires for 6099 registered players last summer. Picture: Cath Coady.

The Geelong Cricket Association has made umpire retention and recruitment a top priority heading into the summer with 28 registered officials as total player numbers jumped by 20 per cent last year.

Cricket Victoria made a presentation at the association’s annual general meeting on Monday night, with the GCA set to lose four umpires over the off-season.

It will target former or recently retired players to fill the void.

According to the association’s annual report, there were 6099 registered players last summer – an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2023-24 – and 32 umpires.

The GCA umpires committee’s Brett Pearson said two GCA junior cricketers were relied upon to umpire during the season, while providing officials for all four first grade competitions and women’s games.

“For the coming season we have lost four umpires from our group, so we are once again on

the hunt and lookout for ideally former players or players retiring to take up a role in

umpiring,” Pearson said.

The GCA has made umpire retention and recruitment a top priority this season. Picture: Mark Wilson

The number of registered senior men grew by 14 per cent to 2520 while registered junior boys was up 21 per cent to 2370.

It comes amid a 22 per cent increase in junior girls cricket participation last summer as it fast became the sport of choice, the association believes.

In season nine of junior girls cricket in 2024-25, there were 373 registered players, up from 304 the previous summer, across 35 teams and 19 clubs — described as a “remarkable” surge by junior girls chair Colin Millard.

“Cricket is fast becoming the sport of choice for many girls in the region, and the continued growth of the program reflects this shift in momentum,” Millard said in the association’s annual report.

The number of junior girls and senior women’s teams has doubled since 20-21 figures.

Meanwhile, the number of senior women playing the game has jumped by 33 per cent to 836 across eight grades with 58 teams and 35 clubs during 24-25, up from 625 the previous summer.

It was the sixth season of the GCA Women’s League, formerly known as the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition.

“The league continues to grow from strength to strength,” Women’s League chair Miki Monahan said.

“This expansion is a true testament to the passion, dedication, and enthusiasm of everyone involved in women’s cricket across our region.”

Last summer also saw the formation of the first Barwon region representative team at the Victorian Country Cricket League competitions in Bendigo, combining local players with Colac cricketers.

Barwon Heads celebrate a wicket in the grand final in March, 2025. Picture: Mark Wilson

The GCA is expecting to use almost all of its hard wicket component of the wicket maintenance agreement – more than $18,000 – with at least three clubs needing resurfacing before the summer, with the costs going up “substantially”.

Association president Rob Vines said local cricket was in a “sound and sustainable position” with an “ongoing appetite for continual improvement”, with more than $40,000 in the bank.

The league saw a significant increase in sponsorship revenue, up by $10,000, through partnerships with Lawn Addicts and SEDA College.

It will also look to examine existing club fees and levies.

Originally published as The GCA makes umpire retention a priority amid a 20 per cent jump in player participation