Victorian Turf Cricket Association reveals competition model for 2020-21
The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has scrapped its twin Division 1 model and with it the controversial Senior Division two-team relegation in a streamlined restructure for next summer.
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The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has scrapped the controversial two-team relegation in Senior Division as part of a restructure for 2020-21.
Under the old rules two sides were relegated from the top grade, meaning 25 per cent of the teams in the competition suffered the dreaded drop.
But Senior Division will increase from eight to 10 teams next season, with Keilor and Sunshine United escaping relegation after filling the bottom two positions this season.
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They will be joined by Division 1 premiers Westmeadows (North) and Aberfeldie (West) for both clubs’ maiden top-flight campaigns.
The VTCA has also removed the Division 1 North and West conferences for next season.
The merged Division 1 will become a 12-team competition with Sunshine promoted from Division 2.
Altona North and Royal Park-Brunswick were relegated from Division 1 West and North respectively, while Greenvale Kangaroos – as the third lowest team – were also demoted.
Division 3 will remain an eight-team competition.
VTCA president Steve McNamara said the new-look structure was more appealing to clubs after some criticism of proposed changes in February.
“No club wanted to be relegated through a restructure, so this has avoided that happening,” he said.
“We wanted to eliminate two teams being relegated from Senior Division as well, clubs were concerned about that.”
In a release to clubs, McNamara said the expanded Division 2 was implemented due to two clubs’ rumoured switch to the VSDCA not eventuating.
However, the new competition structure would give the league flexibility if clubs did decide to move in the future.
The VTCA is also taking expressions of interest from clubs interested in a stand-alone one-day competition that could become Division 5.
A start date for the 2020-21 season is still be finalised as local football seasons attempt to play shortened seasons, potentially into October.
McNamara said the VTCA has submitted their preferences to Cricket Victoria and was happy to work with football leagues, clubs and councils to ensure a season could be completed.
“We were asked by Cricket Victoria for our preferred options last week,” he said.
“We’ve be happy to push back a little bit (to November) if the next footy season got pushed back to April … to bring us back to square.
“We’re happy to work with footy associations and councils to ensure everyone gets a fair crack.”