Mackay Cricket Association Inc 0 Likes

The Mackay Cricket Association Inc. (MCA) and its premier home ground, Harrup Park / Great Barrier Reef Arena, in Mackay, Queensland, were established around 1867, with the first recorded match taking place on 9 November 1868 (“Town vs River”) in what is now Western Shakespeare Street.\

The Mackay Cricket Association was formally established on 2 September 1891, with John Ewen Davidson serving as its inaugural president. In 1984, the Association was incorporated, marking a pivotal move toward becoming a licensed, community-driven cricket organisation.

• Over the decades, the MCA steadily expanded, developing junior cricket, hosting inter-regional carnivals, and integrating women’s cricket from 1929 onward.
• It now affiliates over 22,000 members and supports 61 sports/community clubs
• MCA is a key driver of regional cricket, nurturing talent and fostering a sense of community spirit.

MCA took ownership of Harrup Park in 1991, transforming it into a premium cricket facility. The venue features multiple turf and synthetic wickets now meeting Australian Cricket standards.

Hosts top-tier domestic and international matches: WBBL, Australia A vs India A, Australia A vs New Zealand A, and Sheffield Shield warm-ups. Became a regular venue for professional cricket, including Day-Night fixtures and televised events.

MCA Clubhouse features:

• A licensed bar, café/lounge, and gaming amenities.
• Function rooms, conference facilities, and areas for social and community gatherings.
• Hosts Eat Streets, Pink Stumps Days, AFLW matches, live concerts (“Legends on the Lawn”), and emergency services festivals.
• Gaming Lounge has pokies and bar games.
• Sports bar offers live sports on TV and TAB, plus Keno.