Melbourne Metropolitan Turf

Cricket Taskforce

Tuesday 22 July 2014

1. Purpose

2. Background & Key Principles

3. Current Model Assessment

4. Vision for Turf Cricket in Melbourne

5. Considerations & Next Steps

Melbourne Metropolitan Turf Cricket Taskforce

Purpose

Revisit the Purpose from the Terms of Reference:

“

The purpose of the Melbourne Metropolitan Turf Cricket

Taskforce (MMTCT) is to examine the role and

organisation of turf cricket within the eight (8)

Metropolitan regions; and to (where applicable)

recommend or propose improvements to the structure

and relationships between existing Cricket Associations

that administer Turf Cricket in Melbourne and the

Victorian Premier Cricket competition

“

Background

MMTCT met with Associations for feedback and perspective

Issue – sustainability of turf cricket (LGA), issue /uncertainty of pathway to Premier Cricket through local competition actions, issues within local community competitions in terms of hierarchy

MMTCT formed & collected data on turf cricket

MMTCT met with 14 individual LGAs to discuss project and get feedback

MMTCT finalised key principles

MMTCT developed Key principles for comment

MMTCT developed models and tested internally against principles

MMTCT agreed on best fit model / concept for

presentation and feedback from cricket

community and LGA

1. Total Clubs 228

2. Total turf Teams 671

3. Total Turf Grounds 277 (Council)

4. Standard ranges from A to F Grade

Turf Cricket Audit

Threats

SWOT Analysis

STRENGTHS

• Well administered Associations

• Extensive coverage South / East & central metro / inner west

• Quality Grounds & facilities at the top grade community level

• Strong local identity

OPPORTUNITIES

• Amalgamation & shared services

• Expansion into areas not currently serviced by turf competitions

• Cricket industry prepared to work collectively

WEAKNESSES

• Local Government relationships

• Funding / financial pressures

• Low volunteer / umpire base

• Fragmented structure has evolved organically

THREATS

• Local Government & synthetic wicket push (maintenance etc)

• Other sports / pastimes • Loss of volunteers / quality

curators • Increased urban development

in ‘landlocked’ LGAs

MELBOURNE TURF CRICKET

CV relationship with Association

2

1. A desire to change was evident in relation to overall turf cricket structure across many Associations but not all

2. How this would look varied in discussions with Associations and with individuals

1. An acceptance and willingness to engage directly with CV to develop the game 2. Generally a desire to have CV represent the Association(s) within Local

Government and build relationships

Current Association strategy 1

1. Generally aim to grow and develop turf cricket within the localised areas 2. A desire to continue to offer turf cricket to all standards not just the top grade 3. Associations are wanting to work and connect within the Victorian strategy for

cricket

Potential future ‘clean’ sheet thinking

4

Is there an appetite for change?

3

1. Numerous models were put forward by Associations and individuals and assessed by MMTCT

2. Important to refer back to Key principles but build from the existing structure wherever possible (Associations, Regions)

Association Feedback - Summary

Cricket relationship with LGA

2

Various responses however a majority in most cases it was felt that in comparison to footy, the relationship sat mostly with the club. The club relationship was seen as positive in cricket (in the main).

Generally good but consistently comments such as ‘reactive not proactive’, ‘confusing structure and hierarchy’, ‘individual councils needing to work with multiple Associations’, ‘would like to see Cricket Victoria more involved’

Current Community Sport strategy

1

General strategic objectives across the board focused on overall participation, targeted participation (female, CALD, junior and disability) multi-use facility utilisation is important, operating expense pressures (capital ok generally but operating expense concerns)

What issues and barriers exists?

4

What currently works well in the LGA?

3

Turf costs were considered a major barrier for council. They feel they subsidise greatly and that it is not consumed by a wider section of the community. Again not all councils take this view but a growing number are concerned of utilisation of grounds. In some cases it was the other way (quality sacrifices)

Local Government Feedback - Summary

Region / Area Based

Premier Cricket is the pinnacle

Competitions within geographical areas to minimise travel / maximise participation Opportunity to play across areas or region competitions may occur at the higher level of

community cricket Incremental and transitional change developed over time respecting the current structures as the

platform. The existing Region based model is considered in any adjustment to structure

Premier Cricket positioned as the desired competition for aspirational male and female cricketers Premier Clubs be engaged with turf cricket competitions played within it’s geographical area The player flow into (and out of) Premier cricket should be defined and streamlined

Levels of Competition

Clubs to be able to find their desired level of competition/format Criteria adjusts as the club moves up and down the levels of turf cricket Promotion & relegation mean clubs can move up the levels of competition recognising ambition

and performance

Consistency in

Formats, Rules & Governance

Greater consistency to allow for a better connection between, Premier Cricket and community cricket in addition to better collaboration across community cricket

Professionally administered competitions will enable greater ties to LGAs and drive participation Encourage structures that best use efficient resourcing with flexibility to develop new formats and

competitions

CRICKET VICTORIA - MMTCT Key Principles

Sustainability of Turf Cricket

Maintain the current quality of turf wickets across Melbourne in partnership with LGAs

To provide a turf management career pathway

CV to work closer with LGAs to ensure sustainability of turf cricket in line with competition

structure and development pathway

To achieve greater utilisation of turf facilities

Seek to increase participation and accessibility of turf cricket

Current Structure of Metropolitan Turf Cricket

1. Clearly defined and coordinated competitions where clubs find their desired level of competition (promotion and relegation)

2. Well administered and supported competitions that are consistent in format rules and governance that allows for a closer Premier cricket connection

3. Competitions that are geographically located to provide opportunity to develop into growth areas and to remove travel as a barrier

4. Local Government become central to the model to ensure sustainability with an overarching aim to provide a clear cricket hierarchy that leads into Premier Cricket

Vision for Turf Cricket in Melbourne

1. Simplicity of the transition – alignment of the conceptual structure with the existing Associations

2. Resistance at competition level requires a measured and consultative process

3. Any major change at VSDCA and VTCA who administer cross Melbourne competitions & the impact on the VMCU to be considered and worked through in detail

4. Finding ways to collaborate with Local Government will assist in driving outcomes of the review

5. Sustainability of turf cricket must be the focus and without coordination we risk losing local government support

Considerations

Conceptual Structure of Metropolitan Turf Cricket

PREMIER CRICKET

NORTH

Top 10

Teams

SOUTH

Top 10

Teams

WEST

Top 10

Teams

EAST

Top 10

Teams

BAYSIDE

Top 10

Teams

WEST A

10 Teams

NORTH A

10 Teams

SOUTH A

10 Teams

EAST A

10 Teams

BAYSIDE A

10 Teams

WEST B

10 Teams

NORTH B

10 Teams

SOUTH B

10 Teams

EAST B

10 Teams

BAYSIDE B

10 Teams

WEST C

10 Teams

NORTH C

10 Teams

SOUTH C

10 Teams

EAST C

10 Teams

BAYSIDE C

10 Teams

Conceptual Structure of Metropolitan Turf Cricket

Conceptual Structure – LGA & Region Assessment

Considerations – Models

Region / Area Based

Premier Cricket - Pinnacle

Promotion / Relegation

Consistency in governance, formats

Sustainability of Turf Cricket

4-Zone Model

4-Zone with Cross Melbourne

Existing Model

1. Host an Association information evening (all community turf in late July, VMCU Board & Regional Chairs update)

2. Host two Club President information evenings (east and west in August)

3. Collate feedback

4. Develop final proposal and appoint working parties for specific roles (eg. governance, administrative structure, transition)

5. Aim for 2016/17 implementation provided detail of working parties and development of the structure is

Next Steps