Previously competing in the Ringwood District Cricket Association, Marysville is based at the bottom of the picturesque Lake Mountain, 106km south-east of Seymour.
The Villains, as they are affectionately known, will enter the association at the expense of Kilmore, which left the SDCA after more than 50 years to join the Gisborne and District Cricket Association in the off-season.
SDCA president Ben Trezise said Marysville’s entry was a great result for the league as it aimed to expand after battling through two COVID-19 affected years.
“It is awesome news for us and we are more than happy to have Marysville on board,” Trezise said.
“The clubs voted unanimously to accept their application to join the SDCA, so everyone is on board and thrilled to welcome Marysville into our association this season.
“Hopefully we can approach a few other clubs next off-season and expand as much as possible after losing Kilmore in the off-season.”
The major factor behind Marysville’s decision to come into the SDCA was travel, with the opportunity to play in a country league something Trezise said it was very keen to pursue.
“They actually approached us. They played in the Ringwood District League and I think it was probably more travelling than they wanted,” he said.
“So from their point of view, I think they were just keen to come back to the country and play in a country league, and we were the best fit for them.”
In terms of how the SDCA will look in season 2022-23, the A-grade competition will have five competing teams in Eastern Hill, Seymour, Yea Tigers, Broadford and Tallarook following Kilmore’s departure.
Marysville will just field the one team, in the B grade competition, this season, with the opportunity to move up to A-grade in the future.
With so much change set to come into effect, Trezise said the league had been hard at work to ensure the start of the season went smoothly.
“It has certainly been a very busy off-season,” he said.
“We have been working really closely with Cricket Victoria to put a five-year plan in place, starting at the junior ranks, to strengthen the clubs with numbers coming out of COVID-19.
“We cannot wait to get things started again and get back on to the cricket field.”
The SDCA season will officially begin on Saturday, October 8.
