The Goulburn Valley Playing Area’s weekend pennant was already undergoing some change, with East Shepparton relegated to division two, while Seymour VRI earned promotion by clinching that competition’s premiership.
Now, though, there will be more questions ahead for the association’s divisional structure after members at Kyabram Bowls Club voted overwhelmingly in favour of initiating a move to Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region.
The move would land the Bombers in the Campaspe Playing Area for pennant play, taking a club out of several GVPA divisions beyond the top Tuesday and Saturday leagues.
Having claimed the weekend division five premiership and played Matheson Shield finals multiple years in a row, even when few predicted the red and black would make it last season, it was clear the move was not being made for competitive reasons.
Instead, in the words of coach Mal Williams, the approach to make this move was purely geographical.
“The only reason we’ve decided to shift camp is the fact bowls members are not interested in going to Yea or Alexandra,” Williams said.
“The Goulburn Valley region and Bowls Victoria have done nothing about it, so our members decided to up and go.
“Stanhope left a couple of years ago because they’d had enough and the Goulburn Valley will end up a basketcase if they don’t fix things up.
“We’ve sent a letter off to the main three parties — Goulburn Valley, Campaspe and Bowls Victoria.
“We’ve been everywhere we could possibly go to talk and nothing’s happened.”
An episode of After the Jack during the recently completed season featured Goulburn Murray Bowls Region secretary Stephen McGregor, who discussed this type of matter.
He stated that a return to geographical conference systems was unlikely amid concerns over travel to locations like those Williams mentioned.
In the wake of that revelation, the members at Kyabram made their feelings overwhelmingly clear, though the move is awaiting approval from the two regions and Bowls Victoria.
“Bowls Victoria told everyone in the room once upon a time that Kyabram and places like us would never have to go to Eildon, Yea or Alexandra,” Williams said.
“The assurance was there, but everyone knew it couldn’t possibly work, and it turned out to not be correct, so we’re heading to Campaspe.
“We don’t know if we’ll fit in division one as they have eight clubs there, but that’s what the members have decided to do whatever the outcome is.”
