Outspoken Coronet City president Troy McCarthy believes the main thing holding his club back from playing in the Ballarat Cricket Association’s first grade is an unwritten, but necessary financial requirement for player recruitment.
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McCarthy said to attract quality players in order to be competitive in the first grade an expenditure of at least $20,000 was a must, and for some clubs exceeding the $30,000 bracket.
McCarthy spoke openly with The Courier about his club’s financial situation. He said Coronet City, which was demoted from the first grade in 2015-16, caters about $5-7,000 for recruitment – including a coach.
Roughly speaking, Coronet City pays its coach one or two thousand dollars, captain $1500 while spreading the remaining budget on 3-4 top-end players or recruits.
McCarthy gave a number of examples where it’s offer had been turned down by players because of rival clubs having a bigger pay packet on the table.
“It’s not written, but it’s pretty well-known that you’re looking at $20,000 or $30,000 spent most years,” McCarthy said.
“People may say that’s not the case, but it generally is.
“We budget around $5-7,000, that’s including a coach and a couple of players.”
McCarthy made no secrets about the fact Coronet City was compiling a war chest of funds to return to the first grade competition in the near future.
“I won’t hide the fact that we’re now saving to hopefully have that $25-30,000 (in a couple of years time).”
McCarthy said while he felt the funds were a non-negotiable of first grade cricket, Coronet City was focused on growing its junior program.
“We’re looking to pour more revenue into the coaching side of things to try and develop our young group rather than buy players.
“It’s a completely different method, but we want to continue to develop our juniors forward...I think that’s the best way to alleviate the costs.”