Kate Withers
CRICKET
Traralgon and District Cricket Association president Steve Kay has said the association will not give up on attempts to retain the five breakaway TDCA clubs that have committed to the LVCA.
“I’ve asked for some meetings with those clubs and I’ll be continue to try and explain why we want them to stay and be involved in the TDCA,” Kay said.
“The clubs know me and they know how we’ve run the association previously. We don’t want to lose any clubs.”
The clubs reaffirmed their support for the LVCA despite its failure to affiliate with the VCCL at the weekend, but Kay urged them to “have some faith” in the TDCA committee.
“The best outcome would be to retain the clubs and continue on and for them to trust in the direction of the new committee,” he said.
“Our six clubs are still remaining and want the other clubs to stay in the TDCA. If that doesn’t work out in a year’s time, then maybe we sit down and have a talk.”
In a statement, the LVCA said planning processes for “area-based T20 Blast programs, which will feed into a fully-fledged under 10’s competition” were underway.
It also said “the LVCA will facilitate junior competitions that will encompass [18] under 12 teams, [12] under 14 teams and [10] under 16 teams”.
However, Kay reiterated his fears for junior cricket in the region under the LVCA structure.
“We want to give our kids every opportunity to play at pathway levels in two leagues, not one league,” he said.
“I want to see our kids playing in TDCA the same as I want to see the kids playing for the CGCA and we want them to have access to the Victorian pathways.”
Kay also said efforts to pursue the LVCA despite opposition were “destructive” and its process “rushed”.
“The merger was rejected by the TDCA and then the VCCL rejected the affiliation, and that’s two decisions, yet the CGCA continues with this process,” he said.
“We have people within clubs on one side and clubs on the other side and it’s creating terrible friction. The whole process is gut-wrenching and heart-breaking for everybody.
“This is not how we are supposed to promote, grow and foster cricket. This is made to prop up one association and destroy another and that’s the part that is bitterly disappointing.”
