The good news at the Old Xavs continues with the announcement today that Daniel Rush will coach the U19 Premier team this season.

President Matt Cosgrave said that the U19 program remains a huge priority.

“We have no doubts that Dan can continue the fine work of Sam Shaw and Declan Pittonet. Again, the foundations are there, and with another influx of XC graduates arriving next week, we expect our 19s to be strong. With Dan and his panel, they will have some fine mentors.

“With the best-in-the-business Brendan O’Sullivan still the overlord of the U19 program, our young players will not only learn plenty about the game but also enjoy their season,” Cosgrave said.

Dan Rush was a star in the 2010 premiership win and also collected a Reserves and two Crocs winners’ medals.

He is a lifelong Red ‘n’ Blacks man, having attended Xavs’s games from an early age with his father, club legend, the late Michael Rush, who coached the U19s in 1990. Dan’s brothers were also players at the club and have also been involved in coaching. Joe Rush coached the U19 Reserves in 2010, while Martin was a premiership assistant with the Reserves.

Backing up Dan will be a team comprising former stars of the club.

They are:

• the former hard-hitting defender Adam Sassi, himself a former U19 mentor;

• the one-time wily wingster and two-time senior Best and Fairest winner Ryan Colbert; and

• the erstwhile senior and reserves star utility Jed McDonnell.

Rush said he was delighted and honoured to take on the job and to have recruited a group of really talented and dedicated assistants.

“I’ve already spoken with some of the players and I’m looking forward to bringing them together as a team, and to helping them to develop into footballers who are in the Red ‘n’ Black for a long time.,” Rush said.

“I am reminded that Dad had the same role thirty years ago and I’ll be working hard to match his efforts. I’m blessed to have such great people - great Xavs people -  alongside me. Sass was my coach when I played U19s alongside Jed. Colby, an old senior teammate, won five senior flags, 2 B+Fs and a Jock Nelson, as well as had significant experience in the VFL. We hope to teach our boys plenty.”  

The football department is still considering applications for the U19 Reserves coaching position.

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