Actively tackling participation rates at the senior level of the game through the successful introduction of the Centenary Cup, Frecklington believes the next step to shoring up the ODCA’s footing in Orange was further developing representative cricket and Twenty20 competitions.

“We’re building our rep team and that’s a continued focus for us,” Frecklington said.

“And Twenty20 cricket, I think we’ve got it right being the Royal Hotel Cup. The key for us is not having it dominate our competition, and with it sprinkled throughout the lower grades I think it’s ideal.”

Frecklington’s optimism comes following the release of the results for the ODCA’s player survey, conducted at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Over 100 players - a combination of first, second and third graders as well as Centenary Cup players - filled out the survey designed to give players a voice, and Frecklington was happy with the overall view of the results.

“I guess we found out what we expected to,” he said.

“Players weren’t jumping up and down about any one area in particular.

“It was just about getting info on clubs and associations thinking and are the players thinking the same thing. I think we’ve reached about two thirds of the first grade playing group and about the same for second grade.”

Some of the more emphatic results from the survey reveal increased work load is the major deterrent for people wanting to play cricket throughout summer, with 58 per cent of respondents voicing their concerns about balancing work and cricket.

Sixty-four per cent of people believe Riawena Oval needs a new wicket square while 40 per cent think Wade Park could do with new, fixed sight screens.

While, in a rather inconclusive split, 53 per cent of respondents believe the predominant format should be two-day cricket, although 69.7 per cent say playing one-day cricket solely prior to Christmas was a success in 2013-14.

“We touched on the structure last night a little bit,” Frecklington said.

“I think the general consensus is at the moment, we’re in need for more two-day cricket and the one-day cricket we do play has to be a bit longer, something like 50 overs. 

“The split of the second and third grade competitions is also up for discussion.”

In other annual general meeting news, secretary Peter Jarick and treasurer Dave Boundy were both re-elected to their 2013-14 posts, while Steve Warrington has taken on the ODCA vice-president’s role.

Matt Findlay, Phil Dodds and Chris Novak have filled the final executive members positions.