CLAUS FOR CONCERN
Clubs divided over Christmas weekend cricket
LOCAL cricket coaches are torn about the Geelong Cricket Association’s decision to play a round of matches on the Christmas long weekend.
As most leagues across the state rest this weekend, matches will be played tomorrow in GCA1, GCA2, GCA3 and the four Synthetic grades. Geelong City captain Richie Oliver, the highest profile player in the GCA, labelled the move “ridiculous”.
But East Belmont coach Chris Williams threw his support behind the GCA, joining a chorus of leaders who backed the decision.
The league has said the December 23 fixture was the best fit for when Christmas fell.
SOME are outraged. For others, it’s water off a duck’s back.
But the Geelong Cricket Association’s decision to fixture matches on the eve of Christmas has left captains and coaches torn.
Geelong City captain Richie Oliver, the highest profile player in the competition, labelled the move “ridiculous”.
“In my opinion, this round of games should have been a one dayer,” Oliver said with a big thumbs down.
“It’s not like we’d be losing a round of cricket. In a time where many clubs are stretched for numbers, it’s only made it more difficult for clubs to field sides and for people to commit to playing cricket.”
St Joseph’s Luke Ibbs declared it “very inconvenient”, while St Peter’s captain Steve Illingworth and Torquay captain-coach Ash Russell deemed the decision “strange”.
“I think it’s a strange one, really,” Russell stressed.
“Nearly every other comp in Australia, this (December 16) would have been the last week, so I would have preferred to come back a week earlier (next year). It is a really tough time of year to be scheduling a game two days before Christmas, I think.”
Illingworth added: “I’m not sure why we couldn’t finish a week earlier in December and come back a week earlier in January.”
Ibbs said Joeys had battled to field their strongest teams across all grades.
“We’ve been victim to this with players being unavailable,” Ibbs said.
“(We) should have played this round a Saturday-Sunday first week or just a one-day fixture. Any wonder we are losing players from local cricket.”
Leopold coach Scott Lind- say was nonplussed, stating “it is what it is”, while Grovedale premiership captain Barry Tsitas said “it hasn’t been an issue with us”.
Thomson skipper Adam Bliss sat on the fence.
“I don’t love it, but it’s probably better than playing on January 6,” Bliss said.
East Belmont coach Chris Williams threw his support behind the GCA, joining a chorus of leaders who backed the decision.
“I don’t think it can be avoided,” Williams said.
“Despite the criticism GCA gets, they can’t control what day of the week Christmas is. Playing this close to Christmas is certainly better than the alternative.
“I’d rather play this close to Christmas Day than as early in January as we had to last year.”
GCA president Barry McFarlane previously said the December 23 fixture was the best fit for where Christmas fell.
Clubs also had the chance to formally ask the GCA to reconsider after the fixture was released, but only a couple took up that option.
“If people go on holidays, they normally go after Christmas — knock off on Christmas Eve or thereabouts, have Christmas at home and then head off,” McFarlane said.
“They might not be back on January 6, and then there’s the training before that, so that’s why we thought January 13.”
Murgheboluc coach Bill Dixon was all for it.
“Personally, I’m good with playing to Christmas as it gives you the Christmas week then first week of the new year as a break before you return to train the week before play,” Dixon said. “We only had a couple who were unavailable this game, so no real problem.”
Chris Bartholomeusz, captain of South Barwon, took the positives out of the fixture.
“To be honest, I don’t have a problem with it and I believe it’s another good opportunity to get together with the team and the club and enjoy some success before the break,” he said.
Bell Park captain-coach Michael Lymer also supported the fixture.
“The Saturday hasn’t been the issue. It’s (Thursday) and Friday with all the Christmas parties that makes training hard,” he said.
“I like the fact we get the extra week after New Year’s. It allows more time with family so for me it’s a positive. Small price to pay for a delayed comeback in the new year.”
North Geelong captain Sam Hall agreed: “I would much rather play two days before Christmas than January 6th.”
“I think we would struggle to fill our lower grades so early in January, a lot of people would still be on holiday, whereas not many go away before Christmas.”
Premier Cricket is also being played this weekend but the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association wound up for Christmas last weekend.