The Macedon Rangers Soccer Club kicked off its 2026 season on Sunday, with mixed results across its competitive teams in action.
Competing across north-west Melbourne metropolitan leagues since 2021, the Romsey-based club has fielded nine teams in total this year, including four non-competitive (scores not recorded) Miniroos teams up to Under 11s, 3 competitive Junior teams up to Under 14s, a Senior Men’s team and for the first time, a Senior Women’s team.
The Senior Women’s team earned its first points but had to wait another week until its debut proper, with the opposition forfeiting in Round 1. The Senior Men earned a resounding 8-0 win at home against cross-shire Rangers rivals Mitchell Rangers, while for the Junior teams, there were mixed results with the U/14 Girls recording a 3-1 win away to Altona; the U/14 Boys going down 1-10 at home to Sunbury; and the U/13 Boys going down 4-1 away to Sunbury.
MORE FUNDING NEEDED
Club president Matt Bender said this year’s focus was on building momentum for the club’s short-term governance and infrastructure needs, in a year that included a Victorian state election, a Women’s Asian Cup and a Men’s World Cup.
“We’re a proud little club that essentially started from nothing but an idea, and the drive of a small few to bring the beautiful game to the east of the shire,” he said.
“Our playing numbers have steadily grown most years, but our growth is somewhat restricted by our lack of facilities. We are the primary winter user of Romsey Oval 2 but we share use of facilities with Little Athletics, cricket and of course AFL, and while we do try to work productively with all other users, our basic setup has its challenges.
“We’re grateful for a Victorian Government grant and council support this financial year, with detailed designs under way for an upgraded playing surface, lighting and more at Romsey Oval 2, aligning with council’s endorsed master plan for the reserve. But the reality is that without the construction funding to follow, those designs could sit there and gather dust for some time – we’re urgently calling on all levels of government to help give our grassroots club and other users the bare necessities that others enjoy.”
To follow the progress of the Macedon Rangers this season, follow the club on Facebook.
