Women's Team Announcement

The club is disappointed to share this news, which has just been sent to past and current women players of the club via email.

Rather than hide this news, the committee when it began its term said it would be completely transparent in communicating what was happening.

Before providing this news, I will state the club needs a great deal more support off the ground when asking for help or in attending events, like the Trivia Night this Saturday. Running a club is like a small business and everyone of our Committee members have a lot going on away from the club and under extreme pressure. We always welcome feedback and ways things can improve. In relation to the women's team we are desperate for this to be a gap year and want a group of individuals that can assist the Committee in getting female cricket in our community going again. It is not a hopeless situation and we have a number of girls playing Under 12's this season.

This is the letter just sent to the BDCA and our women's players of 24/25 and 25/26.

Dear MGMCC Women's Players,

This is not an email that we enjoy writing and you are receiving this email in being a past or current player with the senior women's team.

Unfortunately the club will be informing the BDCA today we will be withdrawing the women's senior team for season 25/26 and going into recess. For this we sincerely apologise.

We thank Brett Chamberlain for his efforts as coach and trying to get the team off the ground. In recent weeks and months the club has also tried to recruit with paid sponsored social media adverts, emails to the mums of junior players, Brett visiting and talking to schools and communicating to other clubs.

Clubs going into recess is not rare. Bendigo Cricket Club and their women who have had two successful teams for a number of years have gone into recess as has the Bendigo City Bulldogs. While some clubs have become stronger with capturing a small pool of players, others have struggled, which is highlighted by just 5 clubs now playing in Division 1. 

As recently as two weeks ago when Brett attended the Committee meeting we were of the opinion there would be sufficient players to enter a team with also picking up a player from the Bendigo City Bulldogs. In the last two weeks we've had players come forward that cannot commit to every game. It is not fair to our other players, or the other teams in the competition if we forfeit on a regular basis.

For those that were enthusiastically looking to play this season and have paid registration fees, we will refund all fees. We will also assist you in finding a club for the 25/26 season if wanting to continue.

I also thank the Committee for their work. Currently we are very overworked and stressed with very little help when requested, and trying to keep all areas of the club going around busy working lives.

Nevertheless, the Committee will be endeavouring and working towards season 26/27 to re-enter a women's team. In good news we have 4 girls playing their first year of cricket in our Under 12's and we wish them all the best. Rehmi Burke is also going down the cricket pathways with the Greenvale Kangaroos and we wish her all the best.

We apologise again for this unfortunate news.

Kind regards,

Craig Green

President - Maiden Gully Marist Cricket Club