The Gisborne District Cricket Association will welcome a new club for 2022-23

The Gisborne District Cricket Association will welcome a new club for season 2022-23, crossing from the Seymour District.

Kilmore Cricket Club will join the GDCA in 2022-23.

The Gisborne District Cricket Association will welcome a new club for season 2022-23.

Kilmore Cricket Club will shift from the neighbouring Seymour District association and is expected to start in the second tier Johnstone Shield.

After almost 50 years in the SDCA, Kilmore made the decision in order to grow its club and keep its junior pathway strong.

The club entered two under-16 teams in the GDCA last season after dwindling numbers saw the SDCA competition go into recess.

Now Kilmore will field all seniors and juniors in the GDCA and is looking to expand into women’s cricket, which was not offered in Seymour.

Kilmore Cricket Club will join the GDCA.

Club president Brett Butler said it was a difficult decision given the club’s history.

“It’s been close to 50 years, so it’s sad to leave,” he said.

“Our treasurer Laurie Boyd helped set up the league back in the day and is a life member and has a trophy named after him, same as our ex-president Ray Cowell, both are life members and have trophies named after them.

“They were disappointed to leave but could see the reason why, so given our history it was a sad day to leave the SDCA.

“The Seymour District Cricket Association has gone backwards over the last few years.

“There was no under-16s competition last season and the under-14 competition, there was only four teams in that, and the senior sides have also been dwindling.

“We thought we’d jump across to a strong competition with a bit more stability and it gives us an opportunity to grow our club with a women’s competition.”

Kilmore finished third in A Grade last season, missing the final on percentage.

The club has won 12 A Grade premierships, the last coming in 2015-16, and Butler said the club was looking forward to a new challenge.

“It’s exciting but a bit unknown because we’d been playing on turf.

“The GDCA is a very strong competition and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“We don’t know how we’ll stack up but after a few games we’ll see where we’re at.”

Meanwhile, GDCA president Rob McIntyre has stood down with Bacchus Marsh’s Richard Bayly to take the competition’s reins.

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McIntyre will remain on the board as competitions manager.

“I had eight seasons as secretary before that as well, so thought it was time for a new voice,” he said.

“I’ll still continue on the board and provide guidance and look after the fixtures, so it’s probably not a big step back, but it’s good to have Richard take over.”

The 2022-23 competition structure is expected to be finalised next month.