Sport
15 July, 2026
’Gower sticks with same wicket
AFTER flirting with a move to the Emu Valley Cricket Association, Kingower members have voted overwhelmingly to remain with the Upper Loddon competition.
AFTER flirting with a move to the Emu Valley Cricket Association, Kingower members have voted overwhelmingly to remain with the Upper Loddon competition.
A meeting on Sunday also voted to support the transfer of Charlton, St Arnaud and Marnoo from the Wimmera Mallee to Upper Loddon for next season.
Club president Mark Gilmore said 25 people attended the meeting, and there were also written submissions taken into account. A cohort within the club had initial talks with the Bendigo-based Emu Valley association about a move, before the three Wimmera Mallee clubs voted to seek a transfer to Upper Loddon.
Gilmore said there had been concerns expressed about Upper Loddon’s future, leading some Kingower people to look into a possible Emu Valley move.
“The initial exploration with other associations was when Upper Loddon wasn’t looking to be too strong, with minimal numbers of teams at both senior and junior levels,” he said.
However, if the three transfers are approved, the local competition will have eight teams at senior level, with St Arnaud also to field a junior side, reinforcing the long-term strength of the association.
Gilmore presented the meeting with statistics comparing the travel requirements if the club moved to Emu Valley or stayed with Upper Loddon.
The addition of St Arnaud to junior ranks was one of the main arguments for remaining, and Gilmore – who as chair of the meeting did not vote – said he was “very happy with the final decision”.
The introduction of the new teams was unanimously supported at the meeting.
“Without any question, we welcome the three new clubs with open arms,” he said.
Read More: Kingower