About three-month visa delays throw cricket season into chaos for Tasmania clubs
Working holiday visa processing has stretched to three months, leaving overseas cricket players stranded and clubs scrambling for opening games.
A federal government push to cut net migration has slowed visa approvals. Cricket schedules across Tasmania's North and North-West are in chaos.
At clubs like Wynyard, two British recruits applied for visas in July. They won't arrive before the season opens on October 17.
Launceston worked around the problem. It welcomed its overseas player on a free eVisitor visa instead.
But there is a catch: he cannot legally work or earn money while on it. He will eventually have to leave and re-enter Australia to switch to a working visa.
"The process in prior seasons has rarely taken more than a month," said Launceston's director of coaching. Overseas players are crucial for developing young players through mentoring.
- about three months
- Visa processing time
- October 17
- Season opening date
- Calum Hatton, Kenzie Hall
- Wynyard's stranded recruits
- rarely more than a month
- Prior processing time
Why it mattersCricket clubs lose key players during their competitive season and face complex visa rules that weren't blocking recruitment until now.
AustraliaTasmanian cricket clubs cannot field their full squads for season starts, and touring cricketers face unexpected delays and expensive workarounds.
Corroborated bytheadvocate.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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