In May last year, the newly-formed Latrobe Valley Cricket Review Committee comprised of members of the Traralgon and District and Central Gippsland cricket associations recommended the leagues merge to form one.
The committee’s draft report identified three possible models for a new association, all featuring some form of a two-division structure with promotion and relegation between the two.
A consultation period followed and the review committee met with clubs of both associations to discuss its report.
After meeting with clubs from both associations last year, the committee released its final recommendations in September which included a promotion and relegation system for first and second grades, with the thirds structured into a two-conference system based on geographical proximity.
In order for the merger to proceed, both associations were required to vote on the proposal, with 75 per cent of financial clubs required to vote in favour.
In November, the CGCA held a special general meeting where eight of its 10 financial clubs expressed support for the proposed merger.
In December, three TDCA clubs spoke out in favour of the merger and signalled their intent to raise a motion to vote.
In February, Glengarry, with the support of Traralgon West and MTY Raiders, lodged a request for a special general meeting.
The TDCA executive was opposed to the merger but allowed the vote to go ahead.
The merger failed to proceed when just six of the TDCA’s 11 clubs voted in favour of the merger at a special general meeting on March 5 – two short for the 75 per cent required.
Glengarry, Traralgon West, MTY Raiders, CATS, Centrals and Churchill all voted for the merger while Ex Students, Gormandale, Rovers, Toongabbie and Imperials opposed it. After the vote, rumblings of a breakaway league comprised of the six TDCA clubs and the CGCA surfaced.
The CGCA then registered the proposed Latrobe Valley Cricket League name with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
On April 30, the six TDCA clubs met with the CGCA and decided to pursue the formation of a breakaway league.
In an open letter released on May 4, the TDCA clubs stated “our belief in the vision that was presented by the Cricket Review Committee did not die when the vote failed to obtain the required 75 per cent majority.”
