One of the founding franchise clubs, Cobram Panel Works Panthers, has decided to depart the four-team competition.
The Panthers and their owner Mark Haberfield joined the northern Victoria-based Twenty20 competition for its inaugural season in 2020.
With the CPW Panthers departing the competition it has opened the door for another owner to purchase the franchise rights and enter a team.
Bendigo District Cricket Association (BDCA) has thrown its hat in the ring and will join the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds, SRP Mud Dogs and Jarvis Delahey Crushers for the upcoming GVBBL4.
GVBBL organiser David D’Elia detailed why the Panthers owner opted to sell the franchise rights to the BDCA.
“Cobram’s owner Mark Haberfield has decided to pull out. He said he just couldn’t commit as much time as we would like to and we understand that,” D’Elia said.
“It was down to time commitments for Habba... but we have exciting news with Bendigo’s Cricket Association purchasing the franchise.
“This is new for us in the GVBBL, in terms of an association purchasing the franchise. Travis Harling (BDCA president) will run the operations and they will be called the Spitfires and play out of Kangaraoo Flat Sports Club.”
D’Elia said it was an exciting development for the regional Twenty20 competition.
“Absolutely, having Bendigo on board is very exciting for the GVBBL,” he said.
“It takes us to another market and hopefully they can get a good following behind them.”
The introduction of the Bendigo-based outfit coincides with more news out of the GVBBL.
The Apprenticeship Factory has jumped on board as another major sponsor.
Meanwhile, the reigning premier will shift its base from Kyabram and move to the banks of the Murray River.
D’Elia revealed the Hounds will shift to Echuca and play out of Victoria Park — with prominent Echuca cricketer Matt Hinks taking on the operations of the club.
“The Hurley’s Hotel Hounds will have a change in leadership with Matt Hinks coming on board as an organiser so to speak while Brenton (Sheppard) will remain as owner,” D’Elia said.
“This will see the Hounds move their home game to Echuca and they will play at Victoria Park in January.”
The fourth instalment of the GVBBL will kick off on November 19 in Bendigo, followed by round two at Deakin Reserve on December 10.
The Hounds will host round three in Echuca on January 21.
