GDCA 2018-19: Association unlikely to pursue expansion closer to Melbourne after fielding interest from clubs

THE Gisborne and District Cricket Association is unlikely to stretch its boundary closer to metropolitan Melbourne after interest from Gladstone Park was met with scepticism by clubs.

Ashan DeSilva of Gladstone Park in action during NWMCA Cricket: Gladstone Park v Buckley Park at Jack Ginifer Reserve on Saturday, November 11, 2017, in Gladstone Park, Victoria, Australia.Picture: Hamish Blair

THE Gisborne and District Cricket Association is unlikely to stretch its boundary closer to metropolitan Melbourne after interest from Gladstone Park was met with scepticism by clubs.

GDCA president Rob McIntyre revealed the North West Metro Cricket Association club had sounded out the association about a possible move, but its clubs “felt it was out of our area”.

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“We’ve had a couple of other clubs who have made inquiries from around the same area too,” McIntyre said.

“They see the GDCA as being a fairly strong competition and a fairly stable competition.”

Based at Ginifer Reserve, Gladstone Park is about 90km from GDCA clubs including Malmsbury and Kyneton, but is located only 25km from Sunbury’s Clarke Oval.

“Most of the clubs we surveyed at our last meeting felt it was out of our area, our region that we should be looking to attract clubs (from),” McIntyre said.

McIntyre said the GDCA tried to limit travel times for players to one hour each way and the addition of clubs closer to Melbourne could “open up a can of worms as far as a country and metro split.”

Ashan DeSilva lets rip for Gladstone Park, which has met with the GDCA. Picture: Hamish Blair

“When you look at Sunbury and Melton anyway, we are close to Melbourne and part of Melbourne,” he said.

“But I suppose it’s a slightly different culture between the absolute northern country towns like Romsey, Lancefield, Kyneton, Woodend, compared to Gladstone Park or Caroline Springs, for example.”

He said he could not rule out expansion closer to the city in coming years, adding he was “not sure if it’s a fit further down the track or not”.

The GDCA has not planned for any new clubs to enter the association this summer.

While the neighbouring Victorian Turf Cricket Association has scrapped its bonus points system after negative feedback from players, the GDCA will persist with the formula in its top-two grades in 2018-19.

In two-day matches, teams are awarded 0.01 points for every run scored and 0.20 points for each wicket taken.