Newcastle District Clubs Hot On Concept Of Streamlining Competition But Lukewarm On Merger Talks
Newcastle Herald
Saturday November 1, 2008
Newcastle District Cricket Association is poised to cut the competition from 12 to 10 clubs. Herald reporter NEIL GOFFET spoke to each club about their attitude to the impending shake-up.
MOST clubs agree 10 teams is the ideal number for the Newcastle District Cricket Association competition, but only a few are prepared to put up their hand to aid the process.The NDCA formed a subcommittee to prepare a report on the future of Newcastle cricket. One of its findings was the need to reduce the competition from 12 teams to 10.The report suggested the 10-team competition should take effect by the 2010-11 season, giving clubs two years to get their house in order. There is also a criteria document outlining what clubs need to achieve to remain competitive on and off the field.The following are each club's responses to questions about the competition revamp. Belmont president Peter Barnett: "The standard of cricket has definitely diminished in the town over the 24 years I've been here."The number of outright results achieved in all grades is a cause of concern, and the steps that can be taken to raise the standard of the competition have to be taken seriously, but they shouldn't be done rashly. I see us being able to remain as a stand-alone club." Cardiff-Boolaroo president John Porcheron: "We haven't got any plans at this point in time to merge."We merged our junior club with Warners Bay and we are trying to develop our own area on the eastern side of the lake. We've got a development squad that we are trying to bring through the grades and I think we'll survive alone for the time being." Charlestown president Ian Baggs: "We haven't got together yet as a committee since the Tombleson report has been handed down, so I think it's a bit unfair for me to speak on the issue."I'm happy to say that what has been presented by the NDCA is a positive viewpoint that they are looking to achieve. "From a cricket perspective, I think the stronger the cricket is, the more everyone stands to benefit, and that's not going to suit everybody." Hamilton-Wickham president Scott McInnes: "We've had our turn haven't we, back in 1964-65 when we merged Hamilton and Wickham? "If clubs are going to merge then obviously your neighbours are the way to go. We neighbour Merewether, City, Waratah-Mayfield and Wests, so where do we go?" Merewether president Ken Beckett: "Being part of the committee, we looked at it wholly in terms of what we felt the needs of the competition were, and that was that there are too many teams."We haven't spoken about possible mergers as a club, so I'm unable to comment on it, however, I think that all clubs need to be conscious of what's happening."The basis of this is the criteria document, and if clubs are having trouble fulfilling that criteria then perhaps they should look at their future."Every club should have an open mind about it because it need not be a negative thing." Newcastle City president Robert Carey: "I think we are strong enough to stand on our own. We've got the criteria covered."I know there are some issues at some of the other clubs, but we've done nothing but improve over the last few years and we're as strong now as we've ever been." Stockton president Ron Hancock: "Geographically it is really difficult for us to merge with another club. I think we've got to be a stand-alone club, and I think we've got to be proactive in that."But I certainly wouldn't close the door on talking with another club." University president Steve Taylor: "I believe that any city that has a university should have a university cricket club playing in their highest grade cricket competition."I also believe that the criteria document is an excellent document, and if we all manage to adhere to its recommendations, there's no reason why we couldn't have 12 strong clubs in Newcastle." Wallsend president Craig Fennings: "We haven't had much of a discussion about it at this point, but we plan to do that next week."I think with cricket in town where it is at the moment that all clubs need to have a look at themselves."I don't think that we can accommodate 12 sides in the competition any more as far as our playing strength is concerned." Waratah-Mayfield board member Steve Christie: "We spoke with Wests tentatively about 10 years ago and we've held talks with University, but they are very restricted with their constitution."I think it has to happen, and I know "Reds" [president Ian Liddell] thinks it has to happen. We would not be opposed to merging with someone as long as everybody got their piece of the pie. We are a pretty traditionalist sort of club and we don't particularly want to go that way, but we see the writing on the wall where there's just not enough quality players around." Western Suburbs president Scott Robertson: "We would consider a merger, but it all depends on the terms of the merger, because there's people out there who don't want to give up their own name and own emblem."We would definitely consider it, but it would have to be a fair and equitable deal for both parties."You've always got to look at your club and what you can do to strengthen it and look down that avenue without selling the club out."
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