Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 83

AN EXCITING SEASON UNFOLDS (LEFT) THREE GENERATIONS OF MONTGOMERYS AT THE OSFC SEASON LAUNCH – EDDIE (’18), JOHN (’60) AND SCOTT (’85). (RIGHT) MAJOR PARTNER GUS MCQUEEN (’91 - RIGHT) RECIVES A FRAMED CLUB JUMPER FROM OSFC PRESIDENT TIM SHEARER, ACKNOWLEDGING GUS’S LONG-TERM SUPPORT OF THE CLUB There was much to be excited about as season 2019 approached for the Old Scotch Football Club. Numbers at pre-season training were very healthy, and our list looked great, training in our new pre-season apparel. One team, one dream! I take the opportunity to thank Scotch College for again allowing the club to use the School’s outstanding facilities for pre-season training. The club competed well in four practice matches and some relatively inexperienced squads performed strongly, giving the Match Committee some selection dilemmas as they picked our round one teams. I am delighted to report that the club has entered a new team in the VAFA under 23 competition, so Old Scotch is fielding seven teams in season 2019. The under 23 team will create a meaningful pathway for under 19 players to transition into the senior football program. A number of new faces have joined the Match Committee. In particular we welcome former Carlton and Sydney Swan, Barry Mitchell, who will be the new men’s 1st XVIII Senior Assistant Coach. Former Demon, Paul O’Brien joins us as Injury Rehabilitation Coordinator and as an assistant coach of the men’s 2nd XVIII. Gene van den Broek (‘10) has been named Captain of the men’s 1st XVIII, with Andrew Jelbart (‘11) as Vice Captain and Will Carrington (‘13), Tom Downie and Jack Hurley (‘11) as Deputy Vice Captains. For the women’s 1st XVIII, Ingrid Howren is Captain, Lily Goss is Vice Captain, and Rebekah Comand and Maxine Wells are Deputy Vice Captains. Callum McDonough (‘10) is Captain of the men’s 2nd XVIII, supported by Vice Captain Richard Goodey (‘14) and Deputy Vice Captains Ed Furey (‘11) and Charlie Long (‘11). For the men’s 3rd XVIII, John Stavris (‘12) is captain, and Hamish Dennis (‘13) is Vice Captain. In under 19 Premier, Tom Clarke and Hugh Longbottom (’17) are Captains, and Will Clark (’17) and Charlie Jackson are Vice Captains. Oliver McLeish (’17) is Captain of the under 19 Reserves, and Josh Richards (’15) is Captain of the new Under 23 team. There are several new OSFC committee members in season 2019. I take this opportunity to welcome Tony Hocking (Under Age Football Coordinator), Gus McQueen (‘91 — Foundation Coordinator), Scot Nicholson (Communications), and Peter Simpson (General Manager). On 14 March the club hosted its inaugural Corporate Partners’ function at The Smith in Prahran. Our corporate partners mixed with club personnel in a very convivial environment. Thanks are extended to each of our valued Corporate Partners, who help to ensure that the show gets on the road each week. I’m grateful to Sandra Dick, Steve Bull and Peter Simpson for coordinating this important event. The club’s Season Launch Breakfast was held on 29 March at River’s Edge in Melbourne. Guests of honour Peter Hudson, Shaun Higgins and Hayden Kennedy entertained the audience in our panel session, compered by our very own Tristan Foenander (‘04). Fundraising is essential to running a successful amateur football club. In order to provide our players with first rate facilities and top quality coaching support, we rely on the generosity of our past players, current parents and supporters. I’m pleased that this year, rather than receiving another polo shirt and cap, non-playing members will receive a tax deduction! After seeking feedback from club members, the committee is delighted to introduce a new membership structure with two distinctive membership categories: 1. OSFC Standard Membership 2. OSFC Foundation Membership Through the Australian Sports Foundation the club is creating the Old Scotch Football Club Foundation, with the aim of securing the club’s long-term viability in the lead-up to its centenary in 2021. In the short term, funds raised by the Foundation will be used to help cover operating costs associated with running the club ($600,000 per annum over five years). The introduction of paid staff has been necessary to ensure the club is best meeting and serving the needs of our members. As well, the costs of running a quality coaching program have risen significantly in recent years, as have costs associated with compliance, insurance, ground hire and administration. The club’s long-term ambition is to create an endowment fund of $1 million that will provide a reliable and growing income stream in perpetuity. To achieve these aims, the club is seeking 100 people to commit to the OSFC Foundation by making a five-year pledge at any of the OSFC Foundation membership levels. We hope to have 100 OSFC Foundation members by the club’s centenary in 2021. Foundation membership donors will be recognised with a membership certificate and will be named on a special centenary donors’ board in the clubrooms. Contributions to the OSFC Foundation made via the Australian Sports Foundation are tax deductible. The club has produced a brochure outlining all you need to know about Old Scotch Football Club Foundation membership. If you’d like a copy, please contact me: [email protected]. TIM SHEARER ('85) — OSFC PRESIDENT www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 83