Port Melbourne, Spotswood, Strathmore, Donvale admitted to VSDCA

VSDCA delegates have voted to expand to 32 clubs, welcoming clubs from Cricket Southern Bayside, the VTCA and Eastern.

Star all-rounder Chris Williams bowling for Strathmore last season.

The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association is expanding for the first time in almost 50 years.

The historic competition has had 28 clubs since 1974.

Delegates last night voted to increase the number to 32, accepting Port Melbourne from Cricket Southern Bayside, Strathmore and Spotswood from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, and Donvale from the Eastern Cricket Association.

The four will be added to fixtures from next season.

Club delegates backed a recommendation from the board to go with 32 clubs, allowing the competition to create four divisions of eight teams.

VSDCA secretary Ken Hilton called it an “historic night’’ for the association, which was formed in 1908.

Port Melbourne was a foundation club and won the first senior premiership, defeating Malvern, but it withdrew because a lack of players in 2002.

Coach Dan Schuppan playing for Spotswood last season.

Port was in Division 2 – the third grade – of CSB last season, and some Subbies watchers have questioned its ability to come back to the VSDCA and be competitive, especially in the powerful south division.

But president Chris Sewell said last week he was confident Port Melbourne could strengthen its stocks when it got back to Sub-District cricket.

He said it was difficult to recruit players to Division 2 of CSB but a number of Premier players had contacted Port expressing interest in joining it if returned to the VSDCA.

VSDCA president Phil O'Meara.

Subbies president Phil O’Meara is a former Port champion batsman, captain-coach and life member, and supported its readmission.

“It was sad when they went in the first place, but the problem was, when Subbies went to four sides, Port Melbourne weren’t geared for four sides,’’ he said recently.

“They were OK with three, but not the four. It’s different now as far as numbers go. They’ve got juniors. They’ve got the foundations of success.

“What they need now is some quality players, but when you’re close to the city it’s easier to recruit. They’ve got those great facilities, and hopefully if they come in they can quickly make a good go of it.’’

The VSDCA had last accepted a new club in 2016-17, taking in Taylors Lakes.

A 75 per cent majority was needed to admit the four clubs and the vote was achieved comfortably.

Strathmore made the finals of the VTCA’s Senior Division last season and Spotswood finished sixth in Division 1.

Donvale reached the finals in the ECA’s second tier, Wright Shield.

“Very pleased the majority of clubs voted for it and accepted the board’s wishes,’’ O’Meara said last night.

“First time in many years we’ve expanded and we’re really happy to welcome the four clubs.

“It may take a few years for them to get there – I think Strathmore will be fine – but I’m a firm believer that everyone has their day in sport.

“Good committees and good coaches can change the game very quickly.’’

Strathmore president Allison Dodd said it was a “privilege to be accepted into such a historic competition and trusted to contributed positively into the future’’.

She said the club’s mission statement was to give players an opportunity to play at the highest level and the move to the VSDCA would allow them to “grow and further challenge themselves to be the best they can be’’.

Dodd said it would also present a “positive challenge’’ for the administration.

“SCC has been a proud and involved member of the Victorian Turf Cricket Assocition for over 20 years,’’ she said.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the VTCA executive and board for the opportunities the association has afforded us. We look forward to maintaining a working relationship with the VTCA for a number of our teams in the years to come.’’