Murrumbidgee Cricket Council believe the move to change the prestigious O'Farrell Cup to a round-robin competition could be a step in the wrong direction.
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It was announced last week that the organisers of the O'Farrell Cup were making the change to the long-standing format.
The idea has been discussed for a number of years but last year's disrupted season, which saw four associations forfeit to holders Albury, has seen the change brought in.
Leeton, Cootamundra, West Wyalong and Young all failed to honour their commitment last season with Wagga O'Farrell Cup manager Perry believing it made the competition a farce.
The news was not well received by the associations within the Murrumbidgee Cricket Council according to president Mark Favell.
"I'm a bit on the fence about it at the moment but I do feel that it is a step in the wrong direction and that seemed to be the general consensus around the table at the (Murrumbidgee Cricket Council) meeting," he said.
"It has been this way for nearly 100 years and to change it, everyone thought that was ridiculous."
The MCC have made changes of their own to their local competition in recent years with the Creet Cup going in the opposite direction and changing from a round-robin format to a challenge format after they faced similar issues and Favell feel that moved helped to re-invigorate the competition.
"We feel that move really helped," he said.
"Rather than have to put in a team together most weekends, they were able to challenge when they knew they would be able to get a side together."
Favell did wonder if offering the winners some form of prize money would a better way of maintaining interest.
"It is a long way to travel from West Wyalong to Albury, it is the borderlines of our region," he said.
"Maybe just offering a small amount that would help with travel would be enough. That is what we have done for our Twenty20 competition."
There is one other issue that sticks out for Favell, which is the $500 required when submitting their entry for the competition. While the money would be refunded once commitments have been filled, the Murrumbidgee Cricket Council president feels it is a big ask for the smaller associations.
"You can't expect parents pay that in order for the kids to be able to play," he said. "The smaller towns around here won't be able to cover that."
Associations have been asked to nominate for the new-look competition, which will start in November and culminate with a final on February 16.
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