A structural change, under which the association has scrapped promotion and relegation, means the division one competition has increased from 10 teams to 12 for the next three seasons.

Lawn Tennis Red and Mortlake Blue have joined division one, while wooden spooner Timboon Gold, which was poised to be dropped a grade, retained its place.

WDBD secretary-treasurer Graeme Kershaw said a motion was passed at its annual meeting in May in favour of the changes.

He said it was important the new division one teams were given time to adjust, hence the decision to announce a three-year draw.

Saturday pennant remains at 18 home-and-away rounds plus finals, despite its increase in teams.

“If we were going to bring sides in they needed time to consolidate and for that reason we abandoned automatic relegation and promotion,” Kershaw said.

Warrnambool White, Terang Green, Warrnambool Blue, City Memorial Red, Warrnambool Gold, Dennington Red, Koroit Blue, City Memorial Gold and Port Fairy Red are the other division one teams. There are 10 teams in division two, three and four. 

Lawn Tennis president Bob Wood said the club was happy to have a chance in division one.

“It’s quite a step for the club actually, because we had been struggling for numbers but when St John’s closed down we got another 30 or 40 men,” he said.

“I would say we’d like to win a few games. We wouldn’t expect to be in the top four or anything like that but we want to be competitive.”

Wood, who is hopeful each player can “improve five per cent”, said the new structure had the potential to strengthen the association’s smaller clubs.

“We have two huge clubs like City Memorial and Warrnambool and they seem to be sharing the spoils every year,” he said.

“It was pretty lopsided. It’s to try and even out the competition a bit. A bit like the AFL is trying to do.

“I suppose every sporting code is trying to do that. It makes it more interesting.”