Macleay Valley set for Seniors

 Macleay Valley, conceived as a junior club on the mid-north coast in 2006, has been steadily building towards fielding senior sides over the last few years, on the back of an extremely driven and energetic committee.

The talented batch of teenagers who first came to the club seven years ago have now formed the basis of the Eagles’ senior push.

“Our under-15 coach Brendan Howden last year guided his side to the grand final and had an extraordinary year,” inaugural committeeman Bruce Raeburn said.

“Despite a close loss in the decider, these young Eagles have shown the district that Australian rules is a sport that’s here to stay on the Macleay and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they have carried themselves.”

Raeburn pointed to the prodigious talent available in that junior grade, plus an influx of enthusiasm from the Hawtin family that has made senior representation a real option.

“We are well on the way but there are still some hurdles to jump,” Raeburn said.

“As far as infrastructure, volunteer support, financials and enthusiasm goes we are well placed.

“But as as with any venture like this, going into the great unknown will be testing for the people that are saying they’d love to come and represent the Eagles as a senior side.”

Raeburn, along with tireless committee members Kevin Ackerly and Ronda Collier, have been driven for many years to grow the code in the Kempsey region; connecting with school networks, indigenous groups, and all levels of government.

“We have had great community support and that is starting to flow on with the amount of young players we have being looked at by the Sydney Swans development programs,” Raeburn said.

“The next step for us is to provide an exciting, energetic, and culturally responsible option for kids and their parents to play one of the greatest football codes on offer, and we extend an open invitation to those who want to give it a try to come along.”

The Eagles will have a registration day with a BBQ and light training session this weekend on Sunday January 19 at 10am at Services Park in central Kempsey.

Those interested in playing for the Eagles at either senior or junior level can contact Kevin Ackerly or Ronda Colliver on 6566 6217 or can email

Photo courtesy of Macleay Valley Argus.

rondak@tsn.cc