The integration of district teams into the traditional club competition is a major part of the revamp, which comes as a result of the BCA’s strategic review.

Next season, the existing 10 teams will remain in the region’s premier grade – the firsts – with the six district division one clubs joining the 10 club seconds sides to form a bumper 16-side seconds competition.

A statement from the BCA outlined the format, which will involve four two-day grades (firsts, seconds, thirds and fourths) where nine two-day matches are set to be fixtured. The number of one-day games in these competitions is currently being considered.

It is also intended for the BCA to have three one-day divisions within the association.

There will be 14 teams in the thirds grade, with the final number in the fourths and the one-day competitions to be determined once nominations have been received. Fixtures will be based on a pool structure in the seconds and thirds.

“We see the new format as a means of allowing clubs to grow their numbers and meet the needs and wishes of their players, as well as improve the quality of cricket,” BCA president Rob Florence said.

“Also, with the introduction of new clubs into the seconds grade, more clubs will have exposure to turf wicket cricket, which is looked upon as a positive for players involved.”

The vision of the BCA is to “become the premier cricket association within regional Victoria”, with an aim to achieve the goal by the end of the 2017-18 season.

Florence said it had been identified that there was a slight decline in junior and senior participation within the BCA.

“We want to be proactive and look to see what we can do to improve the participation and quality of cricket within the Ballarat region,” he said.

“We are working with our clubs to grow the game that we all love. Currently we have clubs who do not have a junior structure or struggle to fill teams week to week as examples of current issues clubs face.

“The aim has been to provide a structure and format that allows cricket to be played by as many people as possible.”

Florence said clubs could request where they wanted to play and it would then be up to the BCA board and pennant committee to make determinations.

He also said there was the potential to include Twenty20 matches in the lower division of the one-day competitions.

“This really is an exciting time for cricket in Ballarat,” Florence said.

“We have seen the girls/women’s cricket initiative kicked off, junior cricket planning advancing well, as well as now seeing the implementation of key outcomes from our strategy sessions.”

The BCA statement said clubs had been briefed and advised on the changes to the senior playing arrangements and reported favourable reactions to the plans and good feedback and suggestions.

A late AFL grand final and early Easter in 2016 will ensure a shorter than normal season in 2015-16.