The survey says that anecdotal reports suggest that GCA clubs need more assistance with tasks they perform, with more tasks being left to fewer people.

Grampians Cricket Association released the survey, titled "Grampians Cricket Association Revival Project", for clubs to fill out ahead of season 2012/13.

In August 2011, representatives from Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, the GCA as well as other key stakeholders met in Ararat to discuss some of the specific issues facing country cricket.

In a bid to be proactive and identify and deal with issues which are of concern, a steering group was formed.

The survey was developed by the steering group in response to the number of issues that were identified.

GCA sought the assistance of players, members, volunteers and all associates of the clubs within the Grampians Association to gain information to address key issues.

It is an extensive survey, with 47 questions asked and areas for comment.

There are many aspects of Grampians cricket that are addressed throughout, including:

*Junior competition and what is most important for development programs and coaching of young aspiring cricketers.

*The standard of the competition or quality of play and how the GCA can improve on these.

*Club administration, focusing on executive committees, volunteers and sponsors.

*Club finance, asking clubs if they have sufficient funds to operate effectively.

*Volunteers and identifying where assistance is required most.

*Umpiring and how it could be improved within the GCA.

*Facilities, including management of reserves, improvement, toilets and changerooms, ground management and adequacy of turf pitches.

*Governing bodies.

The last section, governing bodies, goes beyond feedback and rating the performance of the GCA itself.

The survey looks the International Cricket Council (ICC), who make the laws of the game, oversee the conduct of the game and run the international competition as well as the Australian Cricket Board, Cricket Victoria, Victoria Country Cricket League and Central Highlands Cricket Region.

Central Highlands Cricket Region are the regional arm of the VCCL and are responsible for implementing ACB, CV and VCCL strategies and conduct Central Highlands Regional Junior Country Weeks that players from Grampians Cricket Association are involved in.

Other plans being mooted by GCA and the survey are a development hub for the Grampians region, while clubs have also been asked for feedback on the Twenty20 and one-day competitions.

Clubs have been asked to consider whether both Twenty20 and one-day competitions should be part of the GCA competitions (playing for premiership points) or run as as they are now, with the T20 separate and part of the one-day competition played for points.

Results from the handwritten survey won't be available until the GCA executive sits down and collates results.

There will also be a players survey released on the internet soon.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Grampians Cricket Association can visit the Association's website at grampiansca.vic.cricket.com.au.

The cricket season opens this Saturday, October 13.