Bacchus Marsh apply to join Ballarat Cricket Association

Change is afoot in the Gisborne District Cricket Association with one club on the move as another prepares to move in.

Broadford Cricket Club will be playing their cricket in another competition next season with Bacchus Marsh looking to do the same.

The Red and Blacks will join the Gisborne District Cricket Association (GDCA) next season after making the move from the Seymour competition.

Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh, who plays in the GDCA is looking to move into the Ballarat competition.

The Bulls, if approved, could become the 22nd Ballarat Cricket Association (BCA) club with talks underway.

The men’s and junior boys teams would play in Ballarat while the senior and junior female teams would remain in the GDCA.

The GDCA announced the news at its annual general meeting, while welcoming Broadford, with BCA operations manager Josh Pegg confirming the club is looking to join.

“It’s in the communication stage, nothing has been finalised as of yet,” he said.

“We’ve made the clubs aware that they could potentially be joining our league and our clubs have been notified.

“It will now go back to the boards and go through the process with them.”

Pegg said there hasn’t been any concerns from other clubs so far.

“We haven’t had any kickback so far,” he said.

“The agreements haven’t been signed yet but we are just waiting for it to happen.

“I think it’s all tracking in the right direction at this stage and it is looking good.”

This would be the first time Bacchus Marsh has entered a Ballarat competition for cricket but not in sport.

Bacchus Marsh player Brenton Payne could be playing in a different competition next season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Bacchus Marsh Cobras are involved in the Ballarat league in football and have been there since 1978.

Pegg said it made sense for their cricketers to follow.

“I think it is a great opportunity for our league to grow and get stronger,” he said.

“The more teams we can get in and the more recognition we can get for the league is good.

“The fact teams want to play in the Ballarat Cricket Association is great.”

At this stage it is unknown which grade the Bulls would play in but Pegg said the ideal scenario would be First XI.

“They are going to be coming in with a strong club,” he said.

“It will all depends on what they nominate for and what their preferences are but we want them in the First XI.”

For Broadford the move to the GDCA comes after playing in the Seymour District Cricket Association (SDCA) and winning premierships in all competitions.

“I would like to thank the SDCA for their patience and understanding as we undertook this process,” Broadford secretary Liam Withers said.

“In our longstanding affiliation with the SDCA we have won a number of A, B and C-Grade premierships as well as quite a few in the juniors too.

“We wish the SDCA and their clubs all the best for the upcoming season and hope to see them thriving again soon.

“To our current and recent committees and executive members for the work that has been put in behind the scenes to make this possible, your work hasn’t gone unnoticed and thank you for that.”

Bacchus Marsh was contacted for comment.