Cricket Victoria to inform of new junior pathway structure after job cuts in coming weeks
After weeks of limbo, the fate of Cricket Victoria’s junior pathway system is set to be decided in coming days. This is how its future will be determined — and when a verdict can be expected.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The fate of Cricket Victoria’s junior pathway system looks set to be decided at two meetings next week.
Cricket Victoria will then inform local clubs and associations of its new support model and junior pathway structure in the coming weeks.
The sporting body has had to refine how it looks to provide assistance to the state’s cricket community and develop talented junior cricketers after axing 36 per cent of its staff earlier this month.
The organisation’s community cricket division – which is responsible for developing participation, supporting local clubs and managing junior pathway teams – was the hardest hit area and has been slashed from 45 employees to just 12.
Leader has been told Cricket Victoria’s high performance manager Dean Russ will address the board and high performance sub committee next week on his proposal for the Youth Premier League, after which a final decision will be made.
It’s understood he is keen to keep the region structure in place for at least the under-16 boys and under-15 girls competitions as it provides the best opportunity for country players to experience representative cricket.
A Cricket Victoria spokesman confirmed to Leader they would be talking to the state’s cricket community, which includes club and association representatives and other stakeholders, about their changes over the weeks ahead.
He said he couldn’t provide a definitive timeline yet on when that process would end as it would be determined by how many communities they visit.
He said the updates on the junior pathway structure and new support model would be communicated as part of the process.
When pressed on who from Cricket Victoria would be providing the updates and whether the meetings would be face-to-face, he said they were still working through those details.
In an interview with Leader, Cricket Victoria chief executive Andrew Ingleton said they would retain a statewide junior pathway program but it would be revamped to “better leverage existing representative competitions and Premier Cricket”.
“We will definitely retain a statewide pathway system so that it helps identify and develop talented cricketers in Victoria no matter where you live,” he said.
Mr Ingleton said their grassroots support model would “certainly change” given the reduction in roles and the experiences and capabilities of the people made redundant.
“However, we look to innovate and change how we support this army of volunteers we know we need to consult, we need to get feedback and work together,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to visit and meet face-to-face with our key volunteers and with the relationships we have and really sit down and work together.”
He said some of the ideas on how Cricket Victoria would look to service the volunteers, associations and affiliates going forward was the better use of technology and an enhanced call centre capability.
MORE: FULL INTERVIEW WITH CRICKET VICTORIA CEO
CRICKET VIC STAKEHOLDERS HEAR OF CUTS IN MEDIA