Effect and cause, yang and yin – it’s been that kind of a season for Maclean FC.
There’s been a number of notable highs for one of the powerhouse clubs of the Clarence, and a few pinch-points too which Maclean have managed.
A highlight was the club’s celebration of their 40th anniversary.
“That came off well but it was three years in the planning,” Maclean president Matthew Farrell said.
Another beacon has been the club’s entry in the Women’s 1st Division competition – where they’ve shown gradual yet significant improvement in the elite tier.
The icing on that cake saw two Maclean players named in the North Coast side for the State Cup tournament.
“We’ve always had a big player turnover in both men’s and women’s,” Matthew said.
“In that 1st Division team there’s probably only five players who were here three or four years ago.”
While player retention is a perennial challenge in a town lacking significant higher education and employment opportunity, Maclean’s foray into the premier women’s competition can be a drawcard to females from other areas wanting to play at the highest possible level.
Matthew said despite the ever present challenge of COVID, and a constricted off-season due to the 2020 competition running later – this year had been a sound one.
“It’s been a lot better than it was last year,” he said.
And mighty Maclean will certainly finish 2021 on a high – as hosts of the Clarence Valley competition grand finals.