Cricket
30 June, 2025
Cricket Associations to revisit potential merger in 12 months
The Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association and Horsham Cricket Association will proceed as separate sporting associations for the upcoming 2025/26 season after preliminary talks of a merger took place.
Discussions took place between both associations, with concerns about the future of cricket in the region at the forefront.
Such concerns were exemplified when the Grampians Cricket Association disbanded at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, having originally formed in 1966.
Justtin Combe, president of the Horsham Cricket Association (HCA), insisted that combining both associations is a key focus in the near future, but will not occur before the upcoming season.
“There are ongoing discussions there about the future of cricket and how we integrate into one,” Combe said.
“That won’t happen for the upcoming season, so it will be pretty much as it was last year.”
Ben Duxson, president of the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association, believes a merger will be necessary for the viability of cricket in the region going forward, understanding that the process may take time.
“Sport in the region is getting harder, and we’ve had talks with the Horsham Cricket Association, particularly with the Grampians Cricket Association disbanding, about how things could look in 12 months' time, five years' time,” Duxson said.
“We’re certainly keen to explore whatever we can, and the Horsham association have told us we’ll talk again in 12 months' time, which we’ll certainly do.
“We want to sit down and plan what it is going to look like and how we can provide the best platform for everyone involved.”
The presidents of both associations say the future of junior cricket in the region is a primary focus.
“Juniors is all where it starts,” Combe said.
“We've got to put a lot of work into our juniors, and we already have.”
“At the end of the day, we want to get in and play cricket and provide the best platform for the juniors as well,” Duxson said.
Elaborating on why a merger would not happen imminently, Combe cited the need for a thorough administration process to occur, a challenge made all the more difficult when considering filling administrative roles and duties is a recurring issue for both organisations.
Duxson is confident that the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association will remain a strong competition for the 2025/26 season.
“We'll prepare our season as best we can,” Duxson said.
“We’re really wrapped with our six A Grade and six B Grade sides, and the junior competitions as well.”
The Horsham Cricket Association are currently in talks to welcome two or more teams into the association, likely to be from the former Grampians Cricket Association.
