mmg.com.au

A potential merger between Greater Goulburn and Murray lawn tennis associations has been given the green light to progress further, following a meeting at Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club on Monday night.

About 20 representatives from the two associations attended the meeting to discuss the amalgamation proposal, which includes competing clubs being broken into ‘‘western’’ and ‘‘eastern’’ competition in regards to location.

Goulburn-Murray Premier League committee members Damian Smith, Brian Gledhill, Brad Adams and Graham Henderson produced the proposal together.

Club officials are expected to discuss the proposal with members and provide feedback to the Goulburn-Murray Premier League committee. A final alternative will be presented at a general meeting at which clubs will vote on by the end of April.

Long-serving GGLTA secretary John Gibbs said yesterday he feared Greater Goulburn and Murray Lawn associations may not exist if the proposal was accepted in three months’ time.

‘‘If it goes to a board of six directors soley running tennis in the Goulburn Valley as they are proposing, our associations will disappear,’’ Mr Gibbs said.

‘‘In three years’ time the board of directors may come from anywhere and local clubs won’t have much of a say at all.’’

He said he would forward an alternative model he has devised to GGLTA clubs to ‘‘try and save Greater Goulburn.’’

The model includes retaining Greater Goulburn and Murray Valley associations and appointing four directors — two from both associations — to oversee tennis in the Goulburn Valley.

‘‘Tennis secretaries would report to the directors if any problems arise,’’ he said.

‘‘GGLTA would be responsible for the premier league because we provided the bulk of the clubs in that competition and Murray Valley for the 1.5 competition.

‘‘Any disputes would be handed on to the board of directors.

‘‘If it goes to amalgamation we’re in trouble,’’ he said.

GGLTA delegates will discuss the proposal at a meeting on March 8 at Kyabram Lawn Tennis Association.