In a series of changes to club cricket, the North Otago Cricket Association has introduced a new challenge cup, expanded the use of the twenty/20 format and a new draws system. Since the early 1990ties, the Senior competition has been without a challenge trophy.

This season sees the introduction of the Payne Tempero Trophy. The new trophy is to be in a challenge format similar to rugby union's Ranfurly Shield. The first week of the Senior competition Union will play St Kevin's College 1st XI in the first Payne Tempero Trophy match. Union have been awarded as the first holders as the trophy is named after Ted Tempero and Russell Payne, life members of the Union Cricket Club and the North Otago Cricket Association. All games played at the holders home ground during the Borton Cup regular season will automatically be a Payne Tempero Cup match.

During previous seasons there has been a disparity between games played between the various teams. To rectify this the North Otago Cricket Association has introduced a new draws system. Whenever a weekends cricket has been cancelled that rounds draw will be repeated the following week. It is hoped that this will mean an even number of games between the teams and a better way of running the club competitions.

Recent years has seen the growth of the twenty/20 format. With this in mind the Tui twenty/20 tournament was introduced for senior teams and now the holiday competition's for all afternoon cricket will be trailed with the new format during the season.