NSW Premier Cricket: Dean Magee calls for club reduction, fifth grade removal

On the eve of the Sydney grade cricket season, a passionate former player has lashed the structure of the competition and called for a radical shake-up to rejuvenate the sport.

On the eve of the Sydney grade cricket season, a passionate former player and Bankstown Cricket Club life member has lashed the structure of the competition and called for a radical shake-up to rejuvenate the sport.

For 33 years Dean Magee has been a fixture of the Sydney cricket circuit, accumulating more than 9000 runs predominantly as an opening batsman during his time with Bankstown and Fairfield cricket clubs during the 1990s and 2000s.

Dean Magee in action in 2010.

The four-time premiership winner remains involved in the sport and now stands on the opposite side of the boundary rope as Bankstown Cricket Club chairman of selectors and member of the NSW Premier Cricket judiciary panel.

However, he doesn’t like what he sees telling NewsLocal the current grade cricket system is “broken”.

Magee, like others, say there has been a talent drain on the proud competition in recent years and has radically proposed a series of club mergers and the abolition of 5th grade to condense the quality and improve the standard of play.

“Out of those 20 teams, I reckon there’s probably eight to 12 strong clubs,” he said. “There’s so many clubs around and the quality isn’t there.

“I just think they need to abolish fifth grade cricket and they need to redesign that in a way that fifth grade is just Green Shield (under 16) – maybe every second week.”

Param Uppal bowls for the Lions at Drummoyne Oval last year. Picture: Craig Wilson

The 48-year-old said there needed to be better oversight on player transfers between clubs, highlighting how lower grade players often move for an opportunity but ultimately play a grade above their skill level which leads to them giving up the sport in later years due to a lack of enjoyment.

He also raised concerns of the heavy schedule coming out of lockdown with two young Bankstown first graders opting to sit out the season due to the commitment required.

“I’m telling the truth and if people don’t want to hear it that’s not my problem,” he said.

“If anyone wants to challenge me on the matter, I’m more than happy to have a conversation because cricket is broken.”

Gordon batsman Lachlan Barnsley in action. Picture: Craig Wilson

NSW Premier Cricket manager Roy Formica said the competition was committed to supporting all clubs to be strong well into the future.

“We’ve provided administrative support and financial assistance to all clubs to help achieve our strategy of 20 strong clubs,” he said.

Mr Formica declined to comment on Magee’s suggestion of reducing club numbers and removing 5th grade, however noted his admiration for the Bankstown life member’s contribution to cricket over many years.