Geelong cricket participation returns to pre-pandemic levels
Geelong boasts one of the biggest junior competitions in Victoria as overall playing numbers return to pre-pandemic levels, a new report reveals.
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With around 2000 competitors, Geelong’s junior boys cricket competition is one of the biggest underage comps in the state, a new report reveals, as the number of men’s teams also continue to rise.
The Geelong Cricket Association is due to hold its annual general meeting on August 9.
And the GCA says participation rates are on the up as the sport recovers from the effects of the pandemic, its annual report shows.
There was a near 25 per cent increase in the number of men’s teams last summer, from 137 in 2022-23 to 168 — returning to pre-covid levels.
And with around 2000 players across Friday nights and Saturday mornings, it makes the GCA’s junior boys comp “one of the biggest junior cricket competitions in the state”.
“The (junior boys) numbers have been steady over the past few covid years but it is anticipated that post-covid numbers will continue to grow in an upward trend,” the report found.
The senior women’s competitions have also grown from 28 teams in 20-21 to 57 last summer, while girls teams have grown from 18 to 28 over the same period.
Meanwhile, the men’s competition management committee chair Sydney Sykstus is retiring from his role.
In a statement within the report, Sykstus said he understood “the element of disappointment” regarding the GCA1 first grade grand final where North Geelong drew the match against East Belmont under new playing conditions, to win its fifth consecutive title.
“However, one should acknowledge that a team should be rewarded for its home and away season performance as well, not just within the final series,” Sykstus said.
“The winners of divisions one, two, and three were clearly the better sides over the home and away season.
“Reflecting on the new two-day format, I firmly believe we now have a clear distinction between the one-day and two-day formats, each with its own unique playing strategies.”
The association has proposed to tweak its controversial draw rules for the 2024-25 season, where three points each for a draw would be shelved but instead be replaced by bonus points for runs and wickets.
North Geelong president Braedon Carr said the club welcomed the rule changes.
“The bonus points throughout the season will promote positive cricket,” Carr said.
East Belmont president Tom Scannell said his club had provided “detailed feedback” to the association during the consultation period which ended on July 19, and expects an improved two-day competition this season.
“I’m pleased that they have been responsive to the feedback from last season and acknowledged the need for meaningful change,” Scannell said.
“The proposed changes are more wide ranging than I had expected, and it’s clear that they have given a lot of thought to redressing the shortcomings of last season’s format.
“The division one grand final in particular was in my opinion a complete debacle and a terrible look for the competition, so it’s encouraging that they seem to be taking steps to try and prevent that sort of outcome from becoming recurrent.”
Meanwhile, the association remains in a “very strong financial position” with more than $50,000 in the bank, the report revealed, with no increase to team affiliation fees for around a decade.
Association president Rob Vines, who has nominated for the position again this summer, felt the GCA was tracking in the right direction.
“I’m confident that GCA cricket will continue to strengthen and prosper into the future with
an appetite for continuous improvement and an ongoing commitment to maximising
opportunities for all participants,” Vines said.
The association has also moved to award GCA stalwart Grant Dew, who played for Australia for an over 50s tour of the UK, life membership.
Originally published as Geelong cricket participation returns to pre-pandemic levels
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