REVIVING the Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket competition more than a decade after the two associations split could be a step closer closer come this Wednesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That is when the Bathurst District Cricket Association will host its annual general meeting, with a relaunch of the BOIDC one of the main topics up for discussion.
The BOIDC saw first grade club teams from the Bathurst and Orange district doing battle each summer from season 1992-93 up until 2007 when each association decided run stand alone competitions.
But a decrease in playing numbers in both Bathurst and Orange in recent summers triggered talk of a BOIDC revival.
The decrease in player numbers across Bathurst first grade is something that greatly concerns BDCA secretary Brad Broes.
"We've lost two teams from the top grade over three seasons and another struggled big time. The idea to re-combine with Orange is something that has been discussed every year for a while now," he said.
"Orange have fielded five teams for the majority of the period since the split back in 2007 and they've been asking to re-merge for the best part of a decade. I know I believe, and I said it during a pre-season meeting last year, that we should have merged in 2018-19."
READ ALSO: Strong first half sets up Bathurst Panthers
BDCA president Campbell Graham has been heavily involved with the administration of Bathurst cricket since 2011 and has been one of the key driving forces behind the merger discussion.
"My sole concern and passion has always been what's best for Bathurst cricket. Neither Brad or myself can give an opinion on the previous Bathurst-Orange competition, as we weren't here at the time, but we've heard both the positive and negative sides of the story," he said.
"We've discussed it at great lengths over the course of the previous season. It was indicated in 2017 that, should we drop to a five-team comp, it would definitely be considered. It is disappointing that it took a season with five teams for it to be discussed seriously."
While clubs will get their say at the annual general meeting, it will not be the only topic up for discussion.
Want a discounted subscription to follow Bathurst sport this winter? Click here
There will be a handful of sub-roles being introduced that will need filling, while Graham would like to see more volunteers as a whole.
"I don't think there was enough help being shared around last season. Although there was a small increase in volunteers this season still not enough for the work that is needed," he said.
"In a small association as of ours we are relying too often on the same people and this needs to change."
Anyone interested in attending the AGM, it will be staged in the Skyline Room at Bathurst Panthers from 6.30pm on Wednesday.
