A UNIQUE journey has led Jordan Macey to the Port Macquarie Pirates in 2010.
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The Mid-North Coast Zone Rugby club’s newly-appointed coach left town at the end of 2001, a member of the Port Macquarie Sharks premiership-winning Group 2 outfit.
He then spent two seasons with the Wests Tigers and a further 24 months with the Manly Sea Eagles when fate intervened.
While sidelined through injury, courtesy of a training mishap with coach Des Hasler, Macey received a phone call from Glen Ella, from the famous rugby clan.
The former Wallaby invited the young flyer to switch codes and trial for a spot in his Sevens squad.
Macey accepted the challenge and, in the subsequent years, he’s taken the field for Northern Suburbs and Warringah, represented Australia at the Singapore Sevens, captured the Scottish Cup with Melrose and joined the likes of Kurtley Beale, Wycliff Palu, Brett Sheehan and Peter Hewitt at the Central Coast Rays, which secured the inaugural Australian Rugby Championships.
Now, he finds himself home – but this time with the Pirates.
“The opportunity arose to move back,” Macey said.
“I’ve agreed to terms to return to the UK in September, so I have a few spare months up my sleeve.
“And, even though a couple of local clubs showed interest in me, the chance to coach was the difference in linking up with the Pirates.
“I saw the boys play last year, and there is some good talent within the ranks.
“Plus, everyone’s been great to me, from Denis Roberson to Peter Gerathy.
“I’m also looking forward to working with Marc Minor, who’ll oversee the under 19s.”
Macey, who earned man of the match status against Lote Tuqiri in the dual international’s comeback game last season, is keen to re-establish the Pirates as a force in the Mid-North Coast Zone Rugby competition.
“I think they’d be disappointed they finished fourth in 2009,” he said.
“They went into the year as defending premiers, but were bundled out by the Hastings Valley Vikings in the minor semi-final.
“I’m hoping to improve on that this season.
“It’s my goal to bring the players’ skills up another level too.
“The Pirates won the under 19 premiership as well, so I won’t hesitate to give those guys a go in the top grade either.”
The club trains each Monday and Wednesday at Town Beach from 6pm.
Any interested player is welcome to attend or can contact Macey on 0404 013 649.
