Victorian Turf Cricket Association has a new member for 2021-22

The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has admitted a new club for 2021-22, which has crossed over from the North West Metro competition.

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The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has welcomed a new club for 2021-22.

Donnybrook will bring its First and Second XIs across from the North West Metro Cricket Association and start life in Division 5.

The club won the NWMCA Kyte Shield premiership in 2019-20, earning promotion to the top flight Luscombe Shield where it immediately made finals last season.

The expansion boom in the north-west suburbs has delivered a turf wicket and the club decided the time was right to join the VTCA.

Donnybrook president Noel Seipolt said the growth in the club had been astronomical.

“We got a couple of new grounds done in Cloverton, we decided to do one for turf and that’s how it started,” he said.

“A few of the boys were keen to play turf, so we thought we’d have a go. We’re excited to see how we go.

“We’ve got a big Indian population up here … we ended up putting in an extra four sides and we still haven’t got enough.

“We’ve had nearly 80 new blokes register just this season, we’re just growing and growing.

“The last few years we’ve won a premiership or two and we’ve got a side in the winter comp as well and the last four years they’ve won the premiership.”

Gurjinder Sandhu will captain the club in its inaugural turf season.

Donnybrook’s senior team will play at Kalkallo Reserve.

Seipolt said the club’s lower grades would remain in the NWMCA.

“We’ve got two in the VTCA – first and seconds – and then we’ve got thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths and eights in North West,” he said.

“It’s just gone ballistic this year, hopefully we can get out there eventually.”

Donnybrook will face the likes of Gellibrand, Wyndhamvale, Roxburgh Park, Melton South Royals and East Coburg in Division 5.

VTCA chairman Steve McNamara said it would create a bit of a road trip but believed Donnybrook deserved their place in the competition.

“It will create a bit of a roadtrip for some Division 5 clubs,” he said.

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“They’re a club that’s been around for a long time, so I expect them to be really competitive.

“With the recent developments up there, they’ve been moved onto a brand new ground and I’m looking forward to seeing how they go.”

Donnybrook joins Sunbury as recent arrivals in the VTCA, with the Roar proving an instant success in securing back-to-back promotions.

The league has lost Strathmore and Spotswood to Sub-District cricket forcing a restructure of the competition’s Division 1.