Sport
11 March, 2024
Multiple executive members resign in cricket bombshell with A grade finals on the horizon
An email was sent by Cluff, on behalf of himself, Wagstaff and McHoul to all MDCA clubs at 7 pm on Sunday night, and has been seen by The Maryborough District Advertiser

The Maryborough District Cricket Association (MDCA) has been plunged into chaos on the eve of the finals, with three high-ranked executives resigning from their roles.
Secretary Caleb Cluff, junior president Gary Wagstaff and MDCA executive member Aaron McHoul made the decision to resign from their roles on Sunday, citing that their role within the Association was untenable.
It is understood by The Maryborough District Advertiser that the fallout from an alleged off-field incident between the Clunes Cricket Club and Laanecoorie Dunolly Cricket Club is behind the decision by all three members to resign, with a hearing between the two clubs taken to the Central Highlands Cricket Region board last Wednesday evening.
The case is currently ongoing.
An email was sent by Cluff, on behalf of himself, Wagstaff and McHoul to all MDCA clubs at 7 pm on Sunday night, and has been seen by The Maryborough District Advertiser.
“It is with great regret that the following members of the Maryborough and District Cricket Association executive tender their resignations, effective forthwith from 7 pm, Sunday, March 10, 2024,” the email reads.
“Caleb Cluff, secretary, Gary Wagstaff, junior president, Aaron McHoul, executive member.
“The reasons for resignation are clear and well known to both the clubs and the Central Highlands Region. We feel that our position has become untenable, and we are unable to provide a clear way forward for the association in a matter of urgency.
“We have tried our hardest to overcome what was in our opinion a matter that should’ve been dealt with within the MDCA. We now find ourselves, and especially myself as secretary, under an enormous amount of duress. I am also aware that there is a significant amount of conversation going on that the MDCA executive is not privy to. This is also untenable.
“We are aware this leaves the MDCA in a precarious position on the eve of finals, and we express our sincere regret again that this course of action is unfortunately but irrevocably necessary.
“To misquote the great Australian captain Bill Woodfull — ‘it is too great a game to spoil by the tactics you are adopting’.”
The drama threatens to overshadow the impending MDCA finals, which are due to start on Saturday for both A grade and A reserve.
Both Clunes and Laanecoorie Dunolly are involved in the A grade finals, with Laane finishing on top of the ladder and due to play Beaufort at True Blue Floors Oval.
The Magpies are set to host Colts Phelans at Bull Millgate Oval.