BWCC chair responds to Grand Final cancellations

THE Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition (BWCC) looked at alternative options prior to abandoning it’s A and B Grade Grand Final day, the competition’s chair has stated.

BWCC chair Lisa Armstrong-Rowe said Sunday’s decision to award the competition’s A Grade and B Grade premierships based on ladder position rather than a Grand Final winner was a disappointing one, after extreme heat forced the abandonment of the season’s final day.

“I think we’re all disappointed for all the work the clubs, players and officials have put in over the season,” Ms Armstrong-Rowe said.

“It’s always much sweeter to win a premiership after winning the Grand Final, and both teams from both games were real keen to get that to happen, but our policy is in place for the safety of the players with regards to heat – that’s always our top priority.

“We also had juniors playing Grand Finals that morning who were also going to front up in the afternoon as well.”

Ms Armstrong-Rowe said her team had looked into the possibility of moving Sunday’s times but was not viable – most significantly the lack of lighting available later in the day.

The decision to abandon the A Grade and B Grade Grand Finals meant North Geelong was awarded the premiership of the former over St Joseph’s, while Barrabool was awarded the latter premiership over Geelong City because of ladder position.

Despite the disappointing finish, Ms Armstrong-Rowe said the 2023/24 BWCC season was a successful campaign.

“It just continues to grow and grow every year, we have more teams than ever before and we continue to welcome new clubs to our fold and our current teams expanding the amount of female sides in the BWCC.

“We’re seeing our A Grade and B Grade competitions are probably a bit more competitive than our lower grades, which are still nine-a-side, we’ll start to increase more longer form grades in our higher grades moving forward.

“The challenge of managing the growth and continuing the sustainability of the BWCC will continue for us and we’re excited for next season to come around.”