Scotch College

Scrum Club - Rugby at Scotch

Welcome to the Scrum Club family in 2013, the parents support group for promoting and supporting Rugby at Scotch. We are very proud of our strong Rugby history since Scotch defeated Melbourne Grammar in the 1st game of Victorian Schoolboys Rugby Union (“VSRU”) on 11th August 1932. The Scotch 1st XV has been the most successful team in the VSRU Competition over the last 80 years.

Scrum Club would like to thank Jon Ryan, teacher in charge of rugby at Scotch, for his invaluable contribution in 2012. We are very pleased to welcome Brock Parker as Scotch’s new Director of Rugby Coaching. Brock has already brought a new level of professionalism to the Scotch Rugby Coaching program. Under Brock’s guidance all coaches will endeavour to ensure Scotch Rugby players develop a number of core skills throughout the season which include catch and pass, tackling, defence, mauling, whilst following a ‘team structure’.

We would like to thank Jon Ryan, Andrew Slyfield, 1st XV Head Coach & Brock Parker, for their hard work planning for the 2013 Scotch Rugby season and we look forward to working with them to grow & improve Scotch Rugby in 2013! We also have an additional set piece coach appointment for the 1st XV, Steve Tia has joined Scotch, Steve has a long history of coaching VRU Representative sides, his extensive knowledge of the game & skill set will be a great addition to Scotch Rugby.

NZ 2013 Tour

Our open squad has just returned from their tour of New Zealand. From all accounts, both players & coaching staff, the boys had the opportunity to play against a number of premier New Zealand rugby schools. Again a great effort by Mr Ryan, Mr Slyfield & Mr Buchanan who chaperoned the boys.

Rugby Training Camp

For all Year 7, 8, 9 & 10 boys, the camp will be held on Monday 15th April (full day) & on Saturday 20th April (half day). This camp allowes all the boys to hone their skills with Melbourne Rebels Development coaches and the Scotch coaches.

Welcome function

Sunday 21st April from 5.00pm at the Cardinal Pavilion; the Club will hold its annual welcome function to kick-off the 2013 Rugby Season and welcome all new boys, their parents and families into the Scotch Rugby Community. Highlights of the night include the launch of the SCRUM Club Merchandising range & the opportunity to meet various Melbourne Rebels players.

Barbecues

During home matches we supply a complimentary drink and sausage for every player, from both Scotch & the opposing team. This is a great starting place to get involved by helping and allowing you to get to know other Scotch parents in the same and other Year Levels.

“Fun” raiser Cocktail Party

This is a fun night to which all parents and members of the Scrum Club are invited. Please save Saturday 15th June in your diary for this great not to miss "British Lions" social event.

Presentation Night

For all Scotch rugby boys & their parents at the James Forbes Academy on Wednesday 21st August concludes the season with awards for each year group.

Merchandise

The Scrum Club has a selection of supporter and player merchandise for sale http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/family/scrum/merch.htm.

Fundraising

The Scrum Club raises funds to support a full scope of rugby activities at Scotch.  These have included:

• assistance with capital works on or around the rugby field, as well as equipment;
• assistance with coaching and physiotherapy; and
• the sponsorship of touring teams.

The Scrum Club had tremendous support from the Scotch Rugby families with membership numbers having increased in 2011. Once again a warm invitation is extended to all Rugby families to join the Scrum Club (Membership Application Form). The annual fee of $60 per family enables the Scrum Club to support Rugby at Scotch in a wide variety of ways:

· encouraging boys to achieve their full potential both as players and individuals,

· raising funds,

· organising events that unite the Scotch Rugby community,

· encouraging communication within Rugby organisations and the wider community, and

· promoting the good image of Rugby within and outside the Scotch community.

We do this by subsidising clinics and tours, facilitating specialist coaching, donating equipment, arranging tickets to international rugby events when & where possible, producing branded garments and signage for the boys, and by providing free sausages and drinks to all Scotch and opposition players at the conclusion of home games. A SCRUM Club Badge will be given to each paid-up Scotch family.

Scotch College State Representation in 2012

Congratulations to the following Scotch boys who were selected in the various 2012 VSRU & VRU Representative teams:

• VSRU U17 squad: Rian Olivier & Christopher Richards;
• VSRU U16 UK Touring squad: Chris Garner, Andreas Livadaras, Hilton Venter, Will Bracegirdle;
• VSRU U16 squad: Isaac Adams, Jonathan Chalmers, Benjamin Keebaugh & Harry Millar;
• VRU State U15 squad: Andreas Livadaras;
• VRU U16 Presidents XV: Matt Dudgeon, Chris Garner & Andreas Livadaras; and
• VSRU U14 squad: Jack Martin.

Photos from Pre-season Rugby Camp and Welcome Function

The Pre Season Camp was a great success with some 80 Boys, 8 coaches, a dozen or so mothers and more sausages than one could get at a ‘Wurst Haus’ Laurie Wicks was also in attendance in the afternoon of the 1st day to spend some time with both groups of Boys.