Four teams were listed to play in the 2019-20 season after only three last season.

Swifts-Great Western conducted a junior player drive after football season to drum up enough players to enter a team.

Aradale informed the association on Wednesday night of its decision, the association now looking into future possibilities for the competition.

"It leaves us with no under-16 side in Ararat at all," president David Turner said.

"The committee is trying to get their heads together and see if we can get one side out of Ararat - even if that is a combined side.

RELATED: Grampians Cricket Association postpones the start of the 2019-20

"I know Beaufort was trying to get a junior side going to I will reach out and see if they would be interested in coming this way."

Mr Turner said Avoca was a club the association were thinking about approaching.

"It would alter the way in which we operate but we've got to try something," he said.

"Currently, we only have Tatyoon, Halls Gap and Swifts-Great Western - three teams isn't enough to run a competition. It's a bit gut-wrenching. Everyone is working hard behind the scenes to build a great competition for the kids."

Mr Turner said time was now against the association to make any changes.

"I know Halls Gap had a conversation about a possible move to play up in Horsham for their juniors," he said.

"That competition has already started so they won't be able to do that now.

"I am worried. I think how we work through the issue of the lack of teams would determine if we lose them in the future."

READ MORE: Swifts-Great Western are rallying for junior cricket numbers before the upcoming season

The announcement follows Arardale's request to remove its senior cricket side from A Grade and only play B Grade for the 2019-20 season.

"They are light on in numbers right across the board," Turner said.

"So to find those people to put their hand up to take on the juniors would be hard."

Buangor-Tatyoon merged last season to boost numbers and concentrate on player development and are now only fielding a B Grade team.

"If you look across the whole competition and the recent history it was only three seasons ago Aradale and Tatyoon were playing off in the grand final," Mr Turner said.

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