VTCA considering changes to streamline division structure
The Victorian Turf Cricket Association is considering a move to streamline its divisional structure from as early as next season but is facing pushback from clubs facing relegation.
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The Victorian Turf Cricket Association will streamline its promotion-relegation structure from as early as next season.
Under the move, the current model which splits the competition’s Division 1 teams and sees two clubs relegated from Senior Division each season would be scrapped.
The top-four sides from the North and West conferences would instead combine to form Division 1 Isaacs Shield, while the remaining clubs would make up Division 2 Howarth Shield.
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It is understood some clubs were angered by suggestions of an immediate implementation in 2020-21 having not known the implications of ladder positions at the start of the season.
But VTCA president Steve McNamara said some clubs would ultimately find themselves effectively relegated to the new third tier.
“At the moment we deciding between next season or the following season,” McNamara said.
“When is the right time? When we moved to eight-team divisions two years ago that was the preferred option.
“Some clubs had concerns, so we said we’d give it a two-year moratorium and see how it went with the idea of reverting to the original model after two years, and we’re at the point.
“Yes, some clubs will be disappointed, but similarly next year other clubs or even the same clubs will still be disappointed.
“A decision will be made in the next three to four weeks (because) if we do bring it in next season we’ve got to be mindful of their window of recruitment.”
The competition restructure wasn’t the only controversial change discussed at the meeting on February 10.
A salary cap proposal was put to clubs but voted down.
McNamara said the idea had been researched as a way of equalising the competition but was a long way from being implemented.
“It was something we were asked to explore as some clubs felt they were falling by the wayside because they couldn’t compete against other clubs with bigger budgets,” he said.
“We put a sub-committee together … we gave them a mandate to go out and look at what football, soccer were doing and they got feedback from Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia.
“They did an great deal of work and should be given enormous credit for that, but to get that through we needed 75 per cent of clubs to vote in favour and that was always going to be too higher ladder to climb.”
Proposed structure based on current ladder positions.
Two Senior Division clubs still to be relegated this season and the premier from Division 1 North and West to be promoted.
Division 1 (Isaacs Shield) – premier promoted, bottom club relegated
Altona Roosters
Westmeadows
Glenroy
West Coburg
Aberfeldie
Craigieburn
Spotswood
Seddon
Division 2 (Howarth Shield) – premier promoted, bottom club relegated
Deer Park
St Francis de Sales
Airport West St Christophers
PEGS
Tullamarine
Royal Park Brunswick
Altona North
Greenvale Kangaroos