Great Scot May 2020 Great Scot 159_MAY 2020_ONLINE_V3 | Page 77

Football OLD SCOTCH TAKES EIGHT TEAMS INTO ITS 99TH SEASON The club’s eighth team is a second women’s team The Old Scotch Football Club approached its 99th year with plenty of optimism, prior to the delay to the start of the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now back in VAFA Premier ‘A’ section, for the first time in its history Old Scotch was planning to field eight teams. The addition of a second women’s team provides additional opportunities for young women to access Australian football, and further consolidates our formal partnership with MLC, the Camberwell Sharks Junior Football Club and Camberwell High School. Under Football Director, Donald McDonald, the club has assembled a strong coaching structure for season 2020. Past player Mark Gnatt will coach the men’s 1st XVIII, after taking the men’s under 19 team to its first Under 19 Premier section premiership last season. Mark will be assisted by Andrew Toop, Austin O’Connor-Stubbs and Brad Jenkinson. Donald McDonald will coach the men’s 2nd XVIII, supported by his former North Melbourne teammate, Tony Furey. The men’s 3rd XVIII will be coached by past player Brian Cain, while David Hopper returns to the club to coach the men’s under 23s with assistance from Steve Reddish and Mick Clearihan. Former Australian Test leg- spinner Bryce McGain, also a former coach of Waverley Blues in the Eastern Football League, and a skilful midfielder for Silvan Football Club in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League, will coach the men’s Under 19 Premier team with the assistance of Craig Lovett. Chris Goldstraw will coach the Old Scotch Stars 1st XVIII women’s team, after their 2019 premiership earned them promotion to TOP: THE OLD SCOTCH STARS CELEBRATE THEIR PREMIERSHIP VICTORY IN 2019. BOTTOM: PRESEASON TRAINING AT SCOTCH Premier B section. Former men’s Under 23 team Captain, Josh Richards (‘15), will coach the women’s 2nd XVIII. The club is committed to creating an inspirational environment for the development of young people, and relies on the support of volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved please email the club’s General Manager, Peter Simpson, at [email protected]. The club also relies on the philanthropic support of its community, and has created a foundation which can receive tax deductible donations. To learn about the foundation and how you can participate, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Preparations are well under away for the club’s centenary year in 2021. If you would like to be involved in this significant milestone please contact our Centenary Committee convenor, Sandra Dick: sandra.dick@scotch. vic.edu.au. TIM SHEARER (’85) – PRESIDENT, OLD SCOTCH FOOTBALL CLUB www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 77