FOR the second successive year Taree's Macabe Grass has been named in a Northern NSW team to contest the national football championships in Coffs Harbour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last season Macabe was in the Northern NSW Country under 14s. This time around he's in the under 15s.
Macabe is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
Northern NSW Country enjoyed a successful run at the nationals last year, finishing second in their pool.
"It came down to us and Queensland Country,'' he explained.
"They ended up beating us.''
He was invited to attend a camp earlier this year for talent identification and from here the squad was whittled down to the 16 to go to Coffs Harbour in late September for the week-long championship. He was pleased with the way he played last year at the nationals and was reasonably confident he's make the cut this season.
Macabe expects to play right back. He said the experience of playing at that level is 'fantastic.'
He's a member of the Football Mid North Coast side that plays in the NPL Youth competition. This takes in teams from thoughout the Hunter as well as the Mid North Coast. FMNC just missed a berth in the semi-finals in what Macabe described as a good year.
He started playing soccer nine years ago, initially with Vikings at Forster. While right back is his regular position he also plays centre back.
Macabe moved out of club football when he was 11 to play with Football Mid North Coast.
The round ball code dominates his sporting life. When not playing outdoor football he's can be found on the futsal court.
Macabe attends St Clare's High School.