The 2026-27 campaign is scheduled to begin this Saturday, October 10, but the Lakers will no longer take the field in Cricket Shepparton’s top grade after informing the league of their decision over the weekend.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Lakers explained the rationale behind their “incredibly difficult” decision while committing to reinstating their A-grade team when possible.
“After consulting with players, coaches and past players, the club has made the incredibly difficult decision to withdraw our A-grade team for the upcoming season,” the club said.
“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but due to player availability it became the reality we were faced with.
“We fully intend for this to be temporary and to have an A-grade side back as soon as possible.”
Nagambie’s A-grade side has competed in the Haisman Shield since the club joined Cricket Shepparton from the Seymour District Cricket Association ahead of the 2018-19 season.
The Lakers missed finals once in eight seasons, qualifying for the COVID-cancelled 2019-20 grand final before facing Waaia in the decider just last year.
Nagambie finished in the top six once again in the most recent Haisman Shield campaign but bowed out to eventual premiers Kyabram in the first final.
Cricket Shepparton president Narelle Claney confirmed the competition will revert to 11 teams with a bye now created.
“(Nagambie) have done a heck of a lot of work,” Claney said.
“They've tried really hard to keep their players and to recruit other players, but it just came down to (the fact) they weren't going to have the numbers to maintain three sides.”
Nagambie’s B-grade and D-grade sides, three junior teams, and senior women’s squad - which qualified for last year’s grand final - will now fly the flag for the Lakers this upcoming season.
“In the meantime we encourage all our players, members and supporters to stick with us and get behind our B and D Grade sides in the men’s competition, our women’s side, and our many junior teams,” the club said.
“Our juniors are very much the future of the club, and we will continue to put everything we can into supporting their development and building the club back towards A-grade.”
The Haisman Shield begins this Saturday with its one-day cricket competition to cut the ribbon on the 2026-27 season.
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