Footy returns to the local fields of dreams next weekend and someone who can’t wait is Mike Shean from Macarthur Sports Radio.
And while Shean and the team at MSR love covering the cricket in summer, it’s the winter sports, and footy in particular, that get the adrenaline pumping.
“We’re looking forward to a big year of sport and can’t wait to rip in,’’ says Shean.
“After a couple of interrupted years, there’s a full season ahead and it’s just so exciting.’’
MSR will once again cover Group Six rugby league, rugby via the Camden Rams, and AFL through South West Sydney Blues, a joint venture between Campbeltown Blues and South West Sydney Magpies.
“Rugby league has a new name, Macarthur Conference, a new look, and 10 clubs vying for the 2022 premiership,’’ says Shean.
“I think it’s going to be great and just can’t wait to get involved.’’
There will be three Campbelltown clubs in the competition, with Campbelltown Collegians and East Campbelltown the new boys.
Campbelltown City Kangaroos, who won the premiership not that long ago, are the third team from the biggest town in the region.
Shean believes having three Campbelltown sides will add a lot of spice to the competition.
“There’s nothing quite like a local derby and we will have three of them in Campbelltown this season,’’ says Shean.
“There will no doubt still be some feeling between East Campbelltown Eagles and some of the other clubs and that will translate into passion on the field,’’ he says alluding to the Eagles getting thrown out of the league almost 10 years ago.
MSR will cover two matches a week from the Macarthur Conference, predominantly Sunday afternoons.
“The first month MSR tries to get everybody on, to give all clubs a little bit of coverage, and after that we will cherry pick what we think are the matches of the round,’’ says Shean.
The rugby union coverage starts with a bang in round two and the Back to Camden derby between the Rams and the Campbelltown Harlequins at Wire Lane.
“MSR will again cover all of the Camden Rams homes games,’’ he says.
The matches will be live streamed on Facebook with MSR commentary, including local rugby legend Gregor Mckenzie alongside Mike Shean.
In the AFL, Shean says the Camden Cats dropping back to the platinum division – one below the Sydney Premier AFL division – means local derbies here, too.
MSR are covering home matches of South West Sydney Blues, and Shean says he would be looking forward to the two local clubs clashing during the season.
“Having said that, I think this will be a good season for both the local AFL clubs.’’
MSR is also in discussions to provide coverage of the round ball code at some stage.
“Would like to cover a little bit of soccer this year, the M-League starts this weekend; we’re keen to, put it that way,’’ says Shean.
MSR is growing nicely and Shean believes that with a bit more support from the local business community it can expand its coverage over time.
“The support we get from the business community is the key factor – the more we get the more we can cover,’’ he says.
In the meantime, though, Shean would like to hear from locals, especially women, who are interested in broadcasting and would like to gain some experience
“We are always looking for more people to come on board and join our broadcast team – there is a whole range of things, such as off air work on game day, production and marketing.’’
