Scotch College

Schoolboy athletes star in Premiership Team

Current Scotch students Nick Miller, Cameron Fairlie, James Munro and James Mayer were members of the premiership-winning Old Scotch Division 3 team during the 2001-02 track and field season. Both the club's senior teams made the venue final and the decision to promote these athletes, together with Steve Hope and John Cade, into senior ranks for the final proved to be a successful strategy.

The schoolboy athletes were able to compete over the summer by choosing Old Scotch athletics as their summer sport. As a result, they enjoyed the benefits of regular coaching, training and competition to record numerous personal best and club record performances. Steve Hope and Nick Miller both graduated with Andrew Krumins to the State League team and competed there against the best athletes in the State. Cameron Fairlie, James Munro and Darcy Long all set new underage club records during the season. The latter two also joined with Ed Whitehead and James Rentschler to set a club relay record.

The club had a highly successful season overall. Recruiting was strong, giving Old Scotch a strong platform for success over the next few years.

It was pleasing to welcome star 800m runner John Dawson back to the club. Young guns Tom Cade, Andrew Barker and Michael Good showed great all-round ability, tackling numerous events with distinction.

Walkers Andrew Jamieson and Michael Beaton-Wells scored an enormous number of points, both at State League and interclub level. Brotherly combinations were important to the club, as Tom and John Cade, Michael and Chris Taylor, and Andrew and Peter Simm all performed strongly.

At the time of writing, Old Scotch's division 3 team had yet to contest the association final against the premier clubs from the other metropolitan venues, but looked a strong chance to win there. Meanwhile, APS United was on top of the State League ladder and a clear favourite to win its third premiership.

In April, Old Scotch's cross-country season will commence with a 5 km race at Scotch. As usual, the club is keen to recruit runners of all ages and abilities to boost its ranks.

Contact Mark Purvis on 9534 5105 or Andrew Simm on 9818 0900 for more details, or visit the club's website at www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/2423