Brighton looking to get back into CTPL

BRIGHTON Cricket Club is hoping to go back to the future and make a return to the CTPL by 2019, club president Scott Arnold says.

It’s been more than 25 years since Brighton last fielded a team in the state’s premier cricket league, the then TCA competition, after opting out ahead of the 1991-92 season, but a recent application for a return is being considered by Cricket Tasmania.

Arnold believes the club is well positioned to successfully compete at the top level, after receiving support from CT.

“We held a presentation to CT and presented an application that is currently pending,” he said. “The feedback we’ve received [from CT] has been fantastic.”

Arnold acknowledges that the club needs to address several key areas before it can convince the Cricket Tasmania governing body to approve its push for CTPL affiliation.

“CT has said for us to firstly tick off an improved system of governance and address the clubs facilities,” Arnold said.

The club has received strong support from volunteers and sponsors since applying for CTPL affiliation, and Arnold says additional funding will help improve conditions at the club.

“We’re still waiting to hear word regarding funding, but negotiations are well and truly under way,” he said.

CT operations manager Chris Garrett said he was happy to welcome Brighton’s application to compete in the state’s premier league.

“We’re happy to see their numbers growing, and pleased to see the development the club is showing for females in the sport,” Garrett said. James Kitto is a UTAS journalism student