The make-up of the Ballarat Cricket Association firsts and seconds grades will remain the same for the 2017-18 season, however the BCA is hoping to eventually eradicate the firsts’ bye.
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Currently the first grade is made up of nine teams, creating a much-debated bye.
The BCA board is adamant it wants to get a 10th team in the near future, but is mindful of not promoting a club that is not ready to handle the first grade standard.
Ballarat Cricket Association’s operations officer Greg Wakeling said while the BCA had been in discussion with a number of clubs, none were ready to make the considerable jump just yet.
“No one’s ready to take that next step,” Wakeling said.
“They’re (the board) very much looking to get rid of that bye.
“We’ll look to have as many teams as possible in that top level. Nine is one of those awkward numbers where it’s hard to get an even kind of season in terms of equality with who plays who.”
Wakeling also wished to clarify any concerns after former Cricket Victoria boss Ken Jacobs got his associations mixed up on SEN radio and said the Ballarat Cricket Association had folded earlier in the week. Benalla was the league Jacobs was after.
“We haven’t folded.” Wakeling joked.
They’re (the board) very much looking to get rid of that bye.
- BCA's Greg Wakeling
