For the second time in as many seasons, the women’s competition has undergone a major shift.
Last year the competition rebranded as GMCW after the departure of Cricket Shepparton-based sides to their own competition.
Twelve months later and Shepparton United, Nagambie and Mooroopna are all back.
After Kyabram wasn’t able to field a side, the other three clubs have rejoined the fold for this year, bringing the competition to nine teams after Bamawm-Lockington United also went into hiatus.
GMC operations manager James Stokes told the Riverine Herald that the GMC was happy to take on the Cricket Shepparton clubs on short notice, with the changes only coming together in the past month.
He said the league was committed to growing the women’s game in the region.
“Women's cricket is important and we need numbers in the game,” he said.
The competition begins on October 18.
Also new this year is a change to the naming conventions for divisions, with the previous A-grade to D-grade switching to First XI to Fifth XI.
Apart from easing confusion around the distinction between B-Goulburn and B-Murray (now 2nd and 3rd XI respectively), the move also opens up a slot for a new local legend to be honoured with naming rights to the 3rd XI.
“We'll do some homework on it before we actually officially name it,” Stokes said.
“But we hope we’ll have a name for it next year.”
The league’s other grades honour John McMahon, Bill Williams, Gus Underwood and Peter Raglus.
Inter-association challenges are also a major highlight on the calendar, and the first of the season is already set in stone.
The GMC will battle Cricket Shepparton in mid-November at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Last year the association put out a star-studded squad that handily defeated both Murray Valley and Bendigo Districts cricket associations.
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