The Mount Clear Cricket Club was established in 1880, joining the A Grade competition in 1949. The Eastern Oval was their original home ground, and later minor grades used White Flat. In 1981, all grades moved back home to Mt. Clear, with first and second eleven using the University Oval.
The club merged with the Ross Creek Cricket Club in 1958, to help comply with the condition of affiliation with the Ballarat Cricket Association stating that first eleven teams could not compete unless a second eleven could also take the field.
The merger proved very fruitful to the club with the acquisition of Allan Spratling and 7 Tuddenham brothers. Allan went on to be president of the club for over 40 years, while the Tuddenham family is a famous one at Mt. Clear due to their skill and competitive spirit.
During the first 20 years of A Grade affiliation the club experienced sustained success, competing in 15 finals series and winning 6 premierships. In total, the club’s first eleven has competed in 39 finals series for 22 grand final appearances and 12 premierships. This represents a culture of success for over 50 years that the club is keen to see continue.
The culture of success was further developed with four 1st XI premierships between 1997/98 and 2007/08. Mt. Clear has participated in 10 of the past 12 finals series in ‘A’ Grade. Players from this era are still involved with the club and striving for further success. In all grades, the Mt. Clear cricket club has won in excess of 50 premierships.
In 1949 the club only had one team. A decision to continue to promote and foster junior grades has enabled Mount Clear to become a very strong club with great depth including five senior teams (1 womens, 4 mens), 13 junior teams, and two development programs through All-Abilities cricket and Blasters cricket.
Mt Clear Cricket Club was an initiating club in developing a full and structured female pathway in 2016, building on previous successes from 1977-1989 when womens cricket began in the BCA. Since, some 30% of juniors are girls playing in u11, u14 and u17 competitions with a pathway into our Womens 1st XI. Seven u17 Premierships in a row are testament to the depth of female cricketers coming through the club with several players continuing into Melbourne Premier League clubs and representing Victoria and Australia in junior representative cricket and for the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL.
Cricketers are now drawn to a club with a proud history and their opportunity to continue to grow the reputation of Mt Clear Cricket Club with a culture of success and enjoyment.
To promote the game of cricket and to provide opportunities for club members to enjoy participation in the game and associated social interaction.
Guiding Principles:
- Strive to become and be recognised as one of the pre-eminent clubs in country Victoria.
- Be recognised within the Ballarat Cricket Association for successfully balancing fierce competitiveness and sportsmanship………….. hard but fair.
- Maintain and take pride in our reputation as a club that welcomes and promotes family involvement.
- Prudently manage the financial affairs of the club.
- Provide the best playing and social facilities practicable.
- Provide opportunities for players of all ability levels to improve their skills through access to accredited coaches.
- Recognise that the future of the club is dependant on the development and maintenance of a strong junior program.
- Continue to be a club known for its diversity, attracting both playing and non-playing members, and providing them with opportunities to actively participate in the management of the club.
- Accept that the club has an obligation to participate actively and constructively in the affairs and management of the Ballarat Cricket Association.
- Promote friendship, fellowship and inclusion amongst members, guests and opponents.