The club, born out of a merger between Woodford and former Grassmere Cricket Association outfit Wangoom, was ratified by the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association executive on Monday night.

It will use Wangoom Recreation Reserve's hard wicket and hopes to construct a turf pitch at Woodford's Bushfield complex.

New joint president Peter Melican, who will share the role with Ross Levett, said the merger would complement both clubs. He said it meant Wangoom's junior players would have a strong pathway to senior cricket and would receive top-quality coaching.

"We're really excited to be part of a top division one team in town," he said.

"There's a real pathway there. We only had under 14 girls this past season as the Grassmere Cricket Association didn't have a junior competition in the end. The most exciting is that there's that pathway for boys and girls, from under 11s up to under 15s and 17s.

"Wangoom has been stuck between Woodford, Bushfield, Brierly and Panmure and we've probably been chasing the same players, the same kids.

"Now being North Warrnambool, we're going to (cover) such a big radius and area compared to one little club fighting to fight for its own existence."

Melican, a 30-year veteran of Wangoom, said the prospect of juniors at the club's spiritual home was exciting.

He said the club was considering a blue, gold and red colour scheme but would make finals decisions when it received samples of playing shirts in coming weeks.

John Houston will coach the club while Nick Butters will skipper its division one side.

Levett said the new identity was the fairest way forward for both clubs.

"We sort of thought 'do you go down the Allansford and Panmure route' which is (tough) because you have to work out who goes first and things like that," he said.

"We thought a new identity would show that everyone is involved together and it doesn't look like one or the other is pushing to take over."

Levett said the club would field at least three sides and could play as many as four.

He said both clubs would offer each other something they'd been lacking.

Woodford has won three Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division one flags in the past seven seasons but has battled scarce numbers in its lower grades.

Wangoom, meanwhile, has struggled for on-field success in its top grades but is one of the region's booming social hubs and has strong numbers.

"It's not to say they haven't been a good team over the years, they've just been great off the field," Levett said.

He said the club's bid for a turf pitch was ongoing.

Woodford's deal to play at Koroit's Jack Keane Oval expired before this past season commenced, leaving the Eels without a turf wicket.

The club played three home games on its Bushfield Recreation Reserve hard wicket but spent the majority of the season on the road, playing on opposition turf grounds.

Despite that hurdle, it took out the division one minor premiership and fell agonisingly short of a two-day flag against Russells Creek in March.

Warrnambool and District Cricket Association rules, however, stipulate clubs playing in division one must have a turf surface in a bid to maintain parity across the competition.

The Standard understands North Warrnambool Eels may also utilise a Kings College ground as a hard wicket option.

Levett said the move would be positive long-term.

"It's exciting times. We're really positive and hopeful it can bring success."

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