BUSH cricket will come under the microscope as part of a wide-ranging review into the health of the game.
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Cricket Victoria (CV) yesterday revealed well-regarded administrator David Richards OAM, would oversee a dissection of the game in country areas this summer.
The review, which is due in March, is to give officials a clearer picture of how well cricket operates outside of Melbourne and ideas on what needs to change.
In a statement, Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Tony Dodemaide said the review had three main aims.
- To assess the state of play in country areas, including participation levels, development of state and national players and resourcing from state and national bodies.
- To examine the governance structure with regard to Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, the Victorian Country Cricket League, the eight regions and associations.
- To provide recommendations about Cricket Victoria’s overall strategy to manage the sport in country areas.
“Cricket is a key element of the overall fabric of country towns across the state,” Dodemaide said.
“However, there are a number of challenges for cricket in the country and CV has commissioned a review to determine how we can overcome these challenges.”
Cricket Victoria general manager of game and market development Rohan O’Neill echoed Dodemaide’s sentiments.
In an interview with The Standard, O’Neill said the review did not mean bush cricket faced major problems.
By contrast, the game is in good shape, particularly in the Western Waves region which has the highest level of senior participation per capita in Victoria.
CV statistics say 10.25 per cent of 16-to-39-year-olds in the region are involved in cricket. The junior rate is higher at 10.64 per cent, the second-best in the state.
“The main reason for the review is we think we could potentially support country cricket better. We want to wlook into that,” O’Neill said.
“We see it as a real positive. We don’t see it as trying to look at issues in various areas and solving those issues.
“It’s how can we look forward 10 or 15 years down the track to best ensure cricket is really strong.
“In certain areas it really is, in other areas it’s dropped off a bit, it varies across the state. But collectively, cricket participation has never been better.”
O’Neill said the state body was intent on ensuring the review was independent. He would not be drawn on potential recommendations.
Richards was Cricket Victoria’s secretary during the 1970s and spent 13 years as chief executive officer of the Australian Cricket Board, from 1980 to 1993.
He then spent eight years at the helm of the International Cricket Council, a time of major change for the organisation.
“We’ve been very clear with David Richards, who will be doing the review.
“We want his expert opinion and for it to be independent,” O’Neill said.
“We would envisage he will go through a heavy consultation with the regions. That will give him the feedback from the grassroots which is what we want.
“On top of that, our ability to implement the strategy is important. They’ve got to marry up.”
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au
