Scotch College

Geoff Watt to Coach 1st VIII

Geoff Watt has been appointed as our 1st VIII rowing coach for the forthcoming season. Geoff comes to Scotch having had an outstanding record at Geelong College where he coached the 1st VIII for four years, recording three Head of the River wins and a third place. He also coached the Victorian Youth VIII this year.

Geoff has been a member of Corio Bay Rowing Club for many years and he can be seen on the Barwon River most mornings sculling with his great friend, Jeff Sykes. Geoff won a number of national titles and represented Australia in the 1960s.

He resigned from his position as Assistant Principal at Geelong High School about five years ago and has gone on to make quite an impact in APS rowing.

We welcome Geoff to Scotch College and all of the senior oarsmen are looking forward to working with him in our quest to return the Fairbairn Cup to Scotch College.

Matt Long has been appointed as our 2nd VIII coach. Matt rowed in three Head of the River crews at Newington College in Sydney, twice being successful. More recently, he took Drew Ginn's position in the Australian coxless pair when Drew was injured in 2000. Rowing with James Tomkins, they subsequently secured selection for the Sydney Olympic Games where they won a bronze medal.

Matt worked with the boys at last year's rowing camp on the Tambo River and made a significant impact on the boys and he has already started working with them.

Our thanks go to Drew Ginn, Andy Muller and Simon Morrison for their outstanding contributions to Scotch rowing over recent years. In particular, we wish Drew well as he attempts to gain selection in the coxless pair for the Athens Olympic Games.

Greg Baker