Time for Fraser, Bundy merger talk

FRASER Coast Cricket chairman Wayne Sperling wants talk of a merger with Bundaberg to make its way out of the clubhouse bar and into the discussion room.

Sugar City cricket pundits have long championed an inter-city competition between clubs in Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay but Sperling said, so far, no formal proposal for the 2011 season had surfaced.

“At the moment it’s all rumours and hearsay which isn’t productive for any of the relevant parties,” he said.

Delegates from the Hervey Bay and Maryborough Cricket Associations met on Sunday and discussed the merger.

Sperling has asked Bundaberg Cricket Association to make its intentions known.

“There is resistance to the idea, but we’re not totally against it,” he said.

“We’re not ruling anything out.

“Ultimately it will be the clubs and players who decide.”

Sentiment is split between southern clubs.

Some officials are concerned extra travel time would impact on work and junior cricket coaching commitments.

“The extra travel time makes for a pretty big day.

“There are some who have indicated they’d not be prepared to make that commitment,” he said.

Sperling said many however, were supportive of the merger which would create an eight-team competition.

“There are obvious advantages there,” he said.

“Having extra teams from Bundy would boost the competition and improve the standard of cricket.”

Sperling said if a formal proposal were made Fraser Coast cricket Association would organise a meeting of Hervey Bay and Maryborough Clubs to discuss the issue.