Name change on the cards for West Gippsland Cricket Association

West Gippsland Cricket Association is poised for a new, catchy rebrand ahead of the 2022-23 season, while there’s been a shuffling of clubs in the top two grades.

Clyde batsman Kane Avard whips to the legside. Picture: Valeriu Campan

New season, new name.

This could be the case for West Gippsland Cricket Association, with its 16 clubs agreeing to a name change for the 2022-23 season.

The push is on for the WGCA to become Casey Cardinia Cricket Association, and it could be made official in a matter of weeks.

“We’re working through that at the moment,’’ WGCA president Rob Hansen said.

“We haven’t gone through the process of actually physically changing it.

“We are working through the ramifications of the name change with our honorary solicitor.

“The clubs have agreed, that is true, but it’s not as simple as making a decision and going ahead with it.

“It will probably be confirmed in early August. We’re working towards that.’’

The West Gippsland cricket competition has been operating by that name for over 40 years, since the 1980s.

Before then it was Berwick Pakenham Districts Cricket Association.

Devon Meadows and Merinda Park do battle.

Hansen said it made sense for the association to change to Casey Cardinia, with all of its clubs situated in the Casey and Cardinia shires.

“We’re looking to rebrand in a number of ways,’’ Hansen said.

“West Gippsland is difficult to define on a map anyway.

“If you go on a map you probably won’t find West Gippsland, as such.

“We’ve got six clubs in Casey and 10 clubs in Cardinia.’’

Hansen emphasised a decision on the name change wasn’t “set in concrete’’ just yet.

“We’ve put our feet in the water testing it out to see whether it’s viable,’’ he said.

“So that’s where we are going at the moment. The change is possible.’’

Meanwhile, Carlisle Park Vikings will continue playing in the top flight Premier grade in 2022-23, despite finishing on the bottom last season.

Cranbourne Meadows, which finished second bottom, will drop down to the second level.

The Rebels struggled for players late last season.

“They’ve committed to continuing on,’’ Hansen said of Cranbourne Meadows.

“I think they see themselves in a rebuilding stage. I think they’ve got four or five junior teams, they’ll probably have a couple of senior sides rather than four. And they won’t be continuing on in Premier.’’

Hansen said the WGCA met with Cranbourne Meadows recently and was satisfied with their situation.

“There’s nothing wrong with the club financially,’’ Hansen said.

“They’ve got a reasonably solid base to start off with for the coming season so from that perspective there’s no issue.

“They just need people to put their hand up and say, ‘yeah, I’m happy to help out’.

“I think they’re dividing their tasks up among a number of people at the moment.’’

Officer will rise to the top flight next season after claiming the District flag last season.