The future use of Bradman Oval has become a hot topic.
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The Highlands District Cricket Association (HDCA) met at the Mittagong RSL on December 9, with affiliated teams, to discuss a proposal for priority use of the ground in the Highlands cricket competition.
This followed a directive given in a letter sent out in November to all clubs from Bradman Centre executive director Rina Hore that the Bradman Foundation "expected that Bowral Cricket Club will be allocated Bradman Oval for all Saturdays the ground is available".
The proposal raised the ire of other cricket clubs in the region.
Players had threatened to move to neighbouring competitions and some suggested they would not turn up to matches on the Highlands draw.
However, following Monday's meeting Bowral Cricket Club chairman Angus Humphreys claimed it was business as usual.
"This season, the draw is what the draw is," Humphreys said.
"No one is influencing it or arguing it. It is what it is.
"It will be taken in each season as it comes. It will depend on who nominates a first grade team or a second grade team. Those numbers vary each year. We're half way through season 2019-2020.
"We will see what season 2021 looks like, we're not sure."
Bradman Centre executive director Rina Hore said the HDCA had a strategy in place.
"The HDCA strategy is to have home grounds," Hore said.
"The board has to discuss the overall strategy because some clubs understand it and to be honest, some clubs don't."
Southern Highland News has since learnt that several teams were disappointed with how the meeting process was run and how their questions were answered.
Ms Hore was contacted for comment and explained she completed her obligation on the night.
"I answered every question I was asked," Hore said.
"If anyone is saying they didn't get answers that must have happened at the meeting held after my segment. I answered everything I was asked."
Chairman of the HDCA Simon Taufel was contacted, but was unable to comment as he was in transit.
Mr Taufel did say that there would be a comment made once the HDCA board approved of the questions.
These are the questions that have been asked.
- Several clubs have expressed their displeasure for how the meeting went, it was felt questions were avoided and dismissed. With no real clarity for the future, how does the culture of this competition repair?
- Is there worry that after this season, teams will not return?
- There are concerns that Bradman Oval will remain neutral for now, but in the future elevated fines will be put into place while playing on the ground, making it more difficult for teams to play on the oval. Will there be elevated fines going forward past this season?
