Many of Goulburn Valley’s summer sporting competitions were set to shift into gear and enter 2026 at the weekend - but for practically all, it proved to be a stalled start.

Sweltering conditions saw temperatures reach 43 °C around the region in the lead up to Saturday, and with various teams in southern catchments facing fire safety concerns, associations made the righteous call to cancel the weekend’s play.

Cricket Shepparton was set to resume action across its grades, but all matches - bar an organised B-grade game between Tatura and Northerners - were scrapped.

Scheduled Haisman Shield games have been changed ahead of this coming Saturday, with Cricket Shepparton president Narelle Claney shedding light on the subject.

“We just changed the format from a two-dayer to a one-dayer. The one-day comp has wrapped up so it’ll just be six points towards the Haisman (tally),” she said.

“Because we’d already finished our one-dayers, a lot of the clubs would’ve bought the correct balls and things they needed for the season, so we’re going to be playing it still in whites with a red ball.

“It’l’ll be a one dayer, but not a coloured one-dayer if that makes sense.

“We abandoned them (lower grade games), and they all get three points each.”

On the tennis courts, both the Goulburn Murray Lawn and Shepparton District Tennis Associations delayed the return of match play.

The GMLTA - which features several teams from bushfire-affected Euroa, released a statement outlining its decision to cancel games due to severe weather conditions.

“This decision has been made with the safety of players, officials, volunteers, and families as our highest priority,” it read.

“Many areas within and surrounding the association are currently affected by extreme heat, poor air quality, road closures, and rapidly changing fire conditions.

“Travel to and from venues poses a significant risk, particularly through rural and bushfire-prone areas.

“We are also very mindful that a number of our members, families, and local communities may be directly affected by these conditions, whether through evacuation, property protection, or supporting others during this challenging time.

“We appreciate your understanding. All weekend matches will be marked as not played and points will be split.”

In a similar vein, Goulburn Murray Bowls Region has nixed Tuesday’s Goulburn Valley Playing Area midweek pennant round due to similar reasons.

“Be advised that after due discussions with affected clubs, the GMBR board secretary and the match committee chair the decision has been made to cancel round 10 of the Goulburn Valley Midweek Pennant competition due to the current extraordinary situation that has developed with the fires affecting the everyone throughout our region,” a statement read.

“Whilst many clubs/towns have not been affected directly, travel to and from some of our southernmost clubs may prove unsafe or at the least difficult and with the possibility of many clubs’ numbers being unavailable with their members supporting the CFA in various ways, as well as the possibility of air quality (smoke) affecting members on the greens the decision was made in consideration of our responsibility to OH&S Duty of Care.

“Any decisions regarding the playing of round 10 of Saturday Goulburn Valley Pennant will be made following further discussions later in the week.”

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Tuesday, 4th August 2026

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