HORSHAM Cricket Association finalist Blackheath and West Wimmera premier Dimboola have agreed to an alignment in the Horsham association for the 2010-11 season.
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It will be the Roos' return to Horsham competition after they withdrew and entered West Wimmera competition on the eve of the 2007-08 season.
Blackheath secretary Michael McGough said officials from both clubs met at Dimboola on Wednesday last week to discuss an alignment for next season.
Mr McGough said they had put together a brief submission and sent it to the Horsham Cricket Association president and board.
"Everything has been positive and the initial feedback from the association has been positive," Mr McGough said.
He said the proposal had outlined their desire as Blackheath- Dimboola to enter teams in A Grade, B Grade, C Grade, under- 16, under-14 and under-12 competition.
Mr McGough said the club would use Dimboola Recreation Reserve, Kalkee Recreation Reserve and Dimboola Memorial Secondary College grounds.
He said a small ground beside the main oval at Dimboola Recreation Reserve could also be redeveloped to host cricket matches.
Mr McGough said the agreement would just be an alignment, not a merger, with both clubs maintaining their identities.
He said the alignment would be reassessed at the end of the 2010-11 season.
Mr McGough said a particular focus would be strengthening juniors for both clubs, particularly after Dimboola's publicised junior sports shortage in the summer of 2008.
Dimboola president Steven Glover said the alignment fitted with the Roos' desire to return to the Horsham association, particularly looking to build their juniors.
Blackheath captain-coach Jason Templeton said the move would bolster senior depth of both clubs and junior programs.
"It will be good for our depth in A Grade and B Grade, but our focus will still be on the kids," Templeton said.
