Conference call wins support at the BPCA

“That’s one that different people around the clubs are tossing around, that you’d set up a conference and rather than having clubs permanently designated an east or a west, you’d reset that every year so you’d start off with two groupings of equal strength,” Caldwell said.

“If you don’t, over time you may have one become super strong.”

Under a mock draft by the Geelong Advertiser, the east conference — featuring the likes of Collendina, Ocean Grove, Drysdale and Barwon Heads — would be more competitive than the west conference, which Anglesea would likely dominate based on this season’s results.

However, Anglesea president Brett Kerr said he would not be in favour of a regionalised set-up.

“Without discussing it with all the committee, we are against doing it in geographical terms,” Kerr said.

“We’re more in favour of promotion-relegation.

“If you’re losing every week, it’s hard to keep people coming to turns and being able to raise money and enjoy yourself.”

Caldwell said two divisions of eight teams with promotion and relegation was an alternative. Regardless, he was rapt with interest from Teesdale and Lethbridge.

“It reinforces the belief that I’ve had for a long time, that the BPCA is one of the premier hard wicket competitions in the state,” he said.

Caldwell said Teesdale and Lethbridge’s admissions into the BPCA — should they apply — would have to be voted on by the 16 BPCA clubs, which would not be until the association’s annual general meeting in July.

Before then, all clubs would be invited to a “think tank” to discuss possible restructures based around the number of new teams applying for a spot in A-grade.