Anger over a 'home ground priority' on Bradman Oval is expected to be set aside for the November 9 cricket clash on the Bowral pitch.
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A recent directive given in a letter from Bradman Centre executive director Rina Hore that the Bradman Foundation "expected that BCC will be allocated Bradman Oval for all Saturdays the ground is available" has raised the ire of other cricket clubs in the region.
Talk of a boycott of all games on Bradman Oval, all games against Bowral Cricket Club (BCC) or the entire competition under the Highlands District Cricket Association (HDCA) has gained momentum since the letter was distributed.
There are eight clubs under the HDCA umbrella including Bowral Cricket Club.
The Southern Highland News has been advised by spokespeople from several clubs that the general sentiment is that Bradman Oval should be for the entire community, not one club.
However, Ms Hore told the News that BCC "didn't have an official home ground so they came to the Bradman Foundation to offer support for Bradman Oval." "The club has helped us enormously ever since and has raised more than $180,000 to go towards projects at the oval," she said.
"We are not asking for the existing matches to be rescheduled - all we are asking is for BCC to play at Bradman Oval as a home ground."
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The news of a storm brewing over Ms Hore's directive broke earlier this week (November 5). It was noted at the time that two non-BCC teams were scheduled to play on Bradman Oval in the November 9 round of the competition.
Earlier in the week there was some speculation about whether or not the first grade clash between Hill Top Northern Villages and Wingello Tigers would go ahead at Bradman Oval because of the directive from Ms Hore.
It has now been confirmed that the two non-BCC teams will go head to head as planned from 12.45pm on November 9.
Micheal Pike for Wingello Tigers and Simon Reid from Hill Top Northern Villages said they were both confident of fielding a full team for the match.
Pike said that it would be "business as usual for the club" pending a special meeting to be held with all clubs and the HDCA in early December.
Reid said Hill Top Northern Villages had also adopted a policy of business as usual.
"At this stage there are no changes to this season's draw from what I can see," he said.
Reid added that seven of the eight clubs in the HDCA had requested a special meeting to further discuss issues at hand.
Meanwhile the Southern Highland News has learned that a letter was sent out to all clubs on the morning of November 8 calling for a special meeting at Mittagong RSL Club on December 9.
The letter stated that the meeting was open to all HDCA members and affiliates and would provide an update on " all current parameters of the BCC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bradman Foundation, and the Bradman Foundation lease terms with Wingecarribee Shire Council for Bradman Oval."
A collection of emails between members of the HDCA have also been leaked anonymously to the Southern Highlands News. The names of recipients and senders have been redacted but content is clear. It is noted in one of these letters that the board has "received confirmation from the Bradman Foundation that they respect the current 2019/2020 draw and do not wish to see already allocated matches moved."
