Sport
29 March, 2024
McClelland steps into league’s top position
SEA Lake’s Mick McClelland was named new chairman of North Central Football at Sunday’s season launch in Charlton. The seasoned country football administrator already has his eyes on the league working through an unexpected challenge to junior...
SEA Lake’s Mick McClelland was named new chairman of North Central Football at Sunday’s season launch in Charlton.
The seasoned country football administrator already has his eyes on the league working through an unexpected challenge to junior football after the AFL last week dropped a decree that restricts the ages of players.
Under the AFL directive, only players aged 12 or older will be able to play in under 14 competitions and the youngest in under 17 will be 15.
However, McClelland said the league would seek clarification from the AFL “because of potential impacts” on North Central clubs.
Most North Central clubs have younger players in their junior teams, making it possible for the underage competitions to continue.
The AFL bombshell came in a week when Nullawil and Wycheproof Narraport announced they would merge for the 2025 season. McClelland said the league supported the merge and there would be talks about the format of next season’s draw.
The arrival of Nullawil last season created a bye that has seen two complete rounds and byes part of the North Central draw.
McClelland replaces Wedderburn’s Tim Lockhart who had served as president for four years.