HORSHAM Cricket Association won't send a team to Melbourne Country Week.
Association president Michael McGough said the board voted 6-4 against submitting a team at a special meeting on Tuesday night.
The association would have played in division four at the tournament, which starts on February 13.
Mr McGough cited a lack of commitment shown by players, an absence of youth in the side, a low benefit return for player development to the region, the high costs involved with hosting the team for the week, the low level of sponsorship gained and the timing of the tournament for the decision.
He said six players had committed to the whole week and others were interested in playing some days.
"This board decided we can't keep going that way," Mr McGough said.
"If players aren't prepared to support it, I don't think the board should support it on behalf of the clubs.
"There will be some unhappy people and some people who think it is the right decision.
"It might create debate. This board is happy to make the hard decisions for the betterment of the game in the region.
"The whole board is very disappointed it had to make the decision. It's not one we wanted to make.
"You can't make people go, they have to want to go."
Mr McGough said Melbourne Country Week would cost the association $6000 to $7000.
He said accommodation, affiliation fees and bus hire made up the bulk of that total.
Mr McGough, who played at Melbourne Country Week in 2009, said the board was at a loss as to how to fix the problem.
"We'll be taking ideas and looking for feedback at the AGM from all clubs," he said.
"Things have changed in the community these days. It's obviously not a priority anymore."
Association representative cricket co-ordinator Tim Hopper said it was a sad situation.
"I considered rescinding the vote because of feedback from a few players that it was a bit disappointing and they wanted to go," Hopper said.
Homers captain Lachie Jones said he was 'bewildered' with the decision.
"The holidays I first put in the book is Melbourne Country Week these days," Jones said.
"The association doesn't think it's a worthwhile exercise and I am really disappointed to be honest.
"It's disappointing for all the blokes who put there hands up to go away.
"It's a great opportunity to better your cricket and represent the association, I always thought it was a privilege.
"It's a chance to play a higher level of cricket and why not take that on?"
Jones said he understood how much effort went into organising representative sides.
He said rotating players through the week was the ideal scenario.
"Come Wednesday if you have the same squad competing you're exhausted," Jones said.
"We have always talked about taking a squad of 16 blokes and rotating three or four throughout the week.
"No one can expect 11 players to go the five days and be at their peak."
Jones said he had played Bendigo Country Week since he was 18 and Melbourne Country Week for six years.
"I think it's a great week, well organised and I can't understand why they've chosen to go down this path," Jones said.
"I wish they'd maybe talked to players who were going a little bit more and realised how much we enjoy it."
Jung Tigers veteran Marty Knight said young players should be striving to play representative cricket.
"The worst thing is in Hamilton and Bendigo, blokes are crawling over one another to get a game," Knight said.
"For some reason no one in Horsham wants to put their hands up.
"We used to go to Bendigo, Ballarat and Melbourne. The young talent doesn't want to have a go.
"The Hoppers put money in every year and supply players because they love cricket.
"It's a pity more people don't have that mentality in the association."
Knight said he was concerned for the future of cricket in Horsham, saying it was a 'footy town'.
"The way things are going there are less and less teams each year," Knight said.
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