Scotch College

Soccer celebrities continue the breakfast tradition

Soccer has become the biggest winter sport at Scotch, with a well-attended annual breakfast, growing Old Boy interest, and an annual grudge match against Melbourne Grammar School.

WORDS: Mr PAUL COLLINS – SECRETARY, PASS COMMITTEE Photography: Mr Stephen Kong

The annual Scotch Soccer breakfast attracted a full house on the morning of Friday 1 May 2009, organised by the Parent Auxiliary of Scotch Soccer (PASS).

Once again over 170 Scotch soccer players, parents and old boys packed the Cardinal Pavilion to hear Geoff Miles (‘74), Melbourne Victory CEO, address the gathering on the challenges of A League club administration. A player’s perspective was offered by Melbourne Victory captain, Kevin Muscat, who told the audience of his personal journey in pursuing his football career.

The breakfast included the presentation of the 1st XI jumpers by Kevin Muscat with teammate Mitchell Langerak, with the assistance of Mr Batty and official guests, as well as Rev Graham Bradbeer delivering grace in prayerful soccer terminology.

Mark Zannoni, Teacher-in-Charge of Soccer, reported on the new direction of soccer at Scotch. He indicated that a number of recommendations will see the continued success and growth of the sport. The recent soccer review is supported by the Director of Sport, Barry Price, and two Directors of Soccer, Bobby McLachlan (Seniors) and Eamonn Beamish (Juniors). The engagement of five specialist coaches will ensure the development and enhancement of the soccer skills of players at all year levels.

A soccer quiz and raffle added to the entertainment. As the breakfast is becoming a highlight of the Scotch soccer calendar, we look forward to next year’s breakfast in the World Cup year with special guests and an expectation of a sell-out audience.

The annual Rose and Thistle Cup was contested by the Scotch and Melbourne Grammar 1st XIs on Saturday 23 May 2009, with MGS taking the honours at Flack Park. The event, dating back to 1974, was well attended, with support from both parent auxiliaries, and is set to develop a strong spirit with our traditional rival similar to the Cordner Eggleston Cup. For Scotch Old Boys, the Rose and Thistle Cup is an opportunity to embrace the spirit of celebration for those who have played soccer at Scotch since 1972. We warmly encourage Old Boys to attend, with the 2010 game marked in the diary.

Scotch soccer has recently seen enormous growth and is now the most popular winter sport played at the school. Old Boys are encouraged to participate in this growth through the Old Scotch Soccer Club (OSSC) which now plays a match against rivals Old Melburnians on the superb new pitch on McKendrick Oval. The OSSC offers players an opportunity to continue their soccer both during and after tertiary studies and particularly welcomes Old Boys who may be playing elsewhere

Old Boys can track the progress of the Scotch soccer teams by the visiting the soccer website under Scotch sport, which includes diary events, such as the Rose and Thistle Cup and the soccer breakfast. GS