After the opening two rounds were washed out due to wet weather, the association postponed the commencement of the season on October 17 after the region was impacted by devastating floods.
The decision came at a presidents meeting on Monday night, where further alterations to the Haisman Shield campaign were also ratified.
Cricket Shepparton will create a new 13-round fixture and the remainder of the season will be one-day matches.
A and B-grade games played up until the Christmas break will feature red balls and whites, while matches after the break will feature white balls and coloured uniforms.
Cricket Shepparton president Brandan Reilly said he was happy to finally pencil in a start date.
“It’s really exciting to finally be able to set a date and hopefully get the season up and running,” Reilly said.
“We are still aiming for 13 rounds of action and one spare weekend at the end of the season for any washouts or heatouts.
“It’s obviously not ideal to have missed the start of the season, but these are unprecedented times and I’m really proud of how clubs have rallied together and jumped to the assistance of fellow clubs.”
There have been multiple examples of clubs offering up assistance in recent days.
With Shepparton United’s clubrooms still inundated at Princess Park, the outfit has reached an agreement with Central Park-St Brendan’s to play matches out of Central Park Recreation Reserve.
Meanwhile, Tatura will offer up its training facilities to Mooroopna, with the Cats unable to use their nets.
“We are devastated for United, Mooroopna, Northerners and any of our clubs who have been affected by the recent floods and we send our best wishes out to them,” Reilly said.
“I congratulate the clubs who have offered up assistance, everyone is in this together.”
There are several grounds across the Goulburn Valley that are still impacted by flood water, with Shepparton’s Princess Park, Mooroopna’s John Gray Oval and Bunbartha Recreation Reserve out of action.
Reilly said Princess Park and John Gray Oval would unlikely to available for the remainder of this campaign.
“We have written off Princess Park and John Gray Oval for the remainder of the season,” he said.
“It’s not ideal to have two of our premier grounds out of action for the season, but it’s easier to rule those grounds out now.”
With the impacts of the flooding crisis still being largely felt, Reilly encouraged those affected to reach out and seek support.
“Cricket Shepparton strongly encourages everyone who is doing it tough to seek support through either their clubs or support networks such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue,” Reilly said.
“The safety and well-being of our members is paramount.”
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