HORSHAM cricketers and officials believe a merger of six clubs in the west of the Horsham Cricket Association could be part of the competition's future.
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Thirty cricket enthusiasts attended an open meeting to discuss the future of cricket in the region at Horsham Football Club rooms on Monday night.
Discussions were based on board member Richard Emmerson's paper, titled `Now and Beyond 2020' which highlights the major issues confronting the association.
The future structure of the competition was the key topic of discussion at the meeting, with those at the meeting penning a proposed structure to be considered for the future.
The structure would see an eight- club competition across three senior grades and three junior grades, with clubs to enter teams in all grades.
The proposal would see power clubs Horsham Saints, Jung Tigers and Homers remain as standalones, Blackheath would merge with reigning West Wimmera premiers Dimboola, Rup- Minyip and Lubeck-Murtoa would join, Colts and Laharum would join forces, while Toolondo-Clear Lake would merge with Noradjuha, Miga Lake, Quantong, Goroke and Natimuk to form one or two clubs.
If the merger of the six teams only formed one club, likely to be known as Arapiles, the association could approach a neighbouring league to form the eighth team in the competition.
The format, intended to be looked at for the 2011-12 season, stirred much debate.
Leading Horsham Cricket Association all-rounder Chris Hopper said the restructure would strengthen the competition.
"It is the only way to make the association better," Hopper said.
"Making adjustments is the only way you will get clubs with strong numbers and making it easier for them to attract sponsors.
"It is an unfortunate thing to merge clubs, but if we don't we are just hitting our heads against the wall."
Quantong representative Rob Caris shared concerns for the smaller country clubs who do not field A Grade teams.
Mr Caris said the association should not be rushing the small-town clubs into any decisions and thought the meeting was a brainstorming session.
"We are not ready to make a decision yet, if we get to be a part of the process," Mr Caris said. "We have put in a lot of effort in the last few years to get two teams and juniors and we are doing our very best to bring together what we can."
Horsham Cricket Association board member Tony Wills said the meeting addressed major issues which had `been tiptoed around for too long.'
Other issues raised included a new Twenty20 competition, board structure, umpires and securing Victorian Premier Cricket matches.
•More from the meeting - see today's Mail-Times.
