CSB ‘dropped like a bag of spuds’ in Cricket Victoria cuts
Cricket Southern Bayside has lost its well-regarded operations manager — who won’t be replaced — leaving competition officials fuming, with one saying “they’ve dropped us like a bag of spuds”.
Inner South
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Cricket Victoria’s staff cuts have hit the first region created under its blueprint for metropolitan cricket, Cricket Southern Bayside.
CV has been administering the competition since it was formed in 2016, with Darren Anderson serving as operations manager.
But as part of the sweeping changes brought about by the deep cuts last month, Anderson has appointed competitions manager, with Premier Cricket his main focus.
CSB has been told Anderson’s position won’t be replaced, leaving volunteers from the board and the clubs to pick up his work.
CSB officials are fuming, adamant they have a written agreement that CV must give six months’ notice if it wants to eliminate the operations role.
One club official told Leader: “They’ve dropped us like a bag of spuds. We’ll be OK, we’ll get on with it because we’ve got a lot of good people around, but a deal’s a deal.’’
He said the CSB situation showed Cricket Victoria could no longer financially support the regional strategy.
However, CV said last week that work on it was “ongoing’’.
CSB chairman Rod Kimmett said this morning: “We’ve met with Cricket Victoria to let them know our feelings and we’re continuing to work with them at the moment, to work through the issues.
“It will be a challenge. There’s no doubt about that. But we’re takings whatever measures are necessary to make sure our members retain the levels of service they’re accustomed to. We’re working with Cricket Victoria to reach that point.’’
CSB must now set up its administration ahead of a season that will start later if local football kicks off and runs finals through October.
Clubs are talking about playing only one-day matches and perhaps a three-game grand finals series if the season is shortened.
CV general manager of community cricket John Watkin said Cricket Victoria had been in discussions with CSB for some time about a “transition to a self- sufficient model in terms of operational support’’.
He said the impact of the COVID-19 crisis had forced CV to “accelerate this process’’.
“We have agreed to work together to develop an implementation plan to manage this change and our joint focus is on ensuring a smooth transition for the competition.’’ Watkin said.
“A lot of work has gone into the success of CSB and we are determined to see it continue to grow and thrive.
“It’s not a setback. We’ll continue to support the Victorian cricket community so they can deliver the best competitions possible for their local region.’’
In another development, Warren Griffin – who was CSB’s head of cricket for two years – has resigned from Cricket Victoria.
In last month’s shake-up he was named area manager of the south east.
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It’s believed the south east cricket manager Jason Mathers will move into his role.
Meanwhile long-serving Essendon president Simon Tobin has confirmed he will make a run for the Cricket Victoria board at the AGM in 2020.
There are two vacancies due to the retirements of Claudia Fatone and Paul Jackson.
Tobin said there was a need for a board member with strong links to Premier and community cricket.
He has been president of the Bombers for 12 years and played and coached juniors at Strathmore.