Boroondara and Hawthorn Cricket Clubs explain their decision to merge

Two local cricket clubs in Melbourne’s east have announced they will merge for the 2024-25 season. We go inside the decision and what it means for their future.

Two local cricket clubs in Melbourne’s east will come together next season in a bid to continue “evolving”.

Eastern Cricket Association clubs, Boroondara and Hawthorn, have announced an official amalgamation for next season in a move which is hoped will help secure the long term future of the clubs.

The newly formed team will be known as the Hawthorn Boroondara Cricket Club and will commence under its new title from the 2024-25 season.

The move will see two clubs with rich histories come together with Boroondara formed in 1938, while Hawthorn was created in 1947.

Graeme Yole, who has been named as HBCC’s inaugural president, said there were a “combination of factors” which led to the decision.

“We have been in talks for the past several months about what the best steps could be,” he said.

“Both clubs have come together as we see it as a great opportunity for people in our local community to play the best possible cricket they can.

“Throughout the last few months, both clubs held numerous information sessions with their members to inform them of what was happening. We’re still working through a lot of questions but importantly everyone is now working in one direction.”

Just which division the newly formed club plays in is yet to be decided.

Yole said one of the reasons behind the success was Hawthorn being a strong turf club while Boroondara enjoyed impressive performances in the synthetic competitions of the ECA.

Boroondara also possesses a strong junior program with over 15 teams in most seasons.

“We’re going to be pushing to play at the highest level we can,” Yole said.

“We’re in the hands of the Eastern Cricket Association but we’ll continue to work with them throughout the off-season.”

Hawthorn finished last in the Wright Shield this season while Boroondara played finals in the MacGibbon Shield.