Tara Murray
The Gisborne and District Cricket Association will get its season underway on October 17 after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
With regional restrictions easing and allowing for training, the GDCA has set October 17 for the first round of matches for several of its clubs.
Not all clubs or players will start their season on October 17 though.
Many clubs are based in Hume and Melton, which are classified as metro Melbourne, meaning those clubs are still under restrictions and have to wait until restrictions change in those areas.
Players of regional clubs, who live in metro Melbourne areas, are also not allowed to train or play, until restrictions ease further.
The association will play four rounds of one-day matches between its regional senior and junior clubs, with the short competition not being played for points.
Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh, Romsey, Woodend, Riddell, Wallan, Macedon, Kyneton, Malmsbury, Hanging Rock, Blackwood, Lancefield and Trentham are all based in regional areas.
GDCA president Rob McIntyre said it’s important that the association commences some form of competition now while waiting for the metro region to move to step three of the road map to reopening.
“Players are desperate to play sport after being starved of community competition for the past six months,” McIntyre said.
“Our clubs have already seen increased interest in people wanting to play cricket and this is reflected in the 73 senior teams nominated for this season, up from 66 last season.”
Cricket Victoria released a twenty-five page document of guidelines for a return to train and play for clubs and associations to adopt last Friday.
It is recommended that all matches be played as one-day fixtures, which the GDCA had already announced it would do.
Training will be conducted in groups of ten to ensure any infection is confined to a particular group and does not impact all players in a club.
There will be changes to the match and training session protocols, with no spectators permitted at senior matches.
McIntyre said the association had reduced it’s club affiliation fees to help clubs through this period.
“The current guidelines restrict players from using change rooms and limit access to social facilities which will impact heavily on club revenue,” he said.
“Clubs will also see a potential loss of sponsorship as local businesses struggle financially. With this in mind, the association has significantly reduced its club affiliation fees to ensure clubs can survive during this period.”
