Genazzano FCJ College and Old Xaverians Football Club are proud to announce an official ongoing partnership.

Formalising the already close links between the two organisations, OXFC Head of Women’s Football and Senior Women’s Coach Scott Gowans will join Genazzano as the Head of Football and First XVIII coach in 2022 while continuing in his roles at the Old Xavs.

Genazzano Director of Sport, Nick Wall said this partnership was a wonderful strengthening of the close ties between Genazzano and the Old Xaverians Football Club and would assist the growth of the school program whilst also providing important pathway opportunities for all girls beyond their school playing days.

“With over 130 Gen girls now playing football at Genazzano, the program has exploded over the past four years. We have expanded from one to five teams, have two recent alumnae recruited to the AFLW and a group of potential next-generation stars eager to follow in their footsteps.

“Our organic relationship with OXFC is already identifiable with sixteen Genazzano alumnae featuring on the OXFC playing list and eleven playing in the Premier side in 2021. Former Genazzano sports captain Gabby Golds is the WOX1 Captain whilst former Genazzano netball captain Cristina Sgarbossa was the 2021 WOX2 captain.

“Scott has the most impressive of coaching resumes and we are excited for the experience he will offer both our developing young footballers and also our coaching team” added Wall.

The inaugural North Melbourne AFLW coach, Scott led the Kangaroos to the finals in their second season and is now the senior assistant coach with Collingwood’s AFLW side. Prior to that, his extensive CV lists the Vic Metro U18 women’s, Dandenong Stingrays U18 youth girls and Diamond Creek VFLW teams.

Gowans is looking forward to the challenge.

“I am well aware of the increasing numbers of Genazzano girls playing football, just as I am aware of the huge influence that Gen girls have had at Xavs. My aim will be to provide the best opportunities for all of the young women under my charge, to ensure they enjoy playing the game and that they reach their potential,” he said.

OXFC President Matt Cosgrave said his club was excited about this new strategic partnership, the first of its kind for the Old Xavs.

“As we enter our 99th year, our club is committed and passionate about improving our women’s program across the board and we feel that this partnership and the already strong link between our club and the college will help us become the best women’s program in community football.”

“We’re delighted that Scott will take charge at Genazzano. It is a great boost to a program whose alumnae have had a significant impact at our club since we established women’s football at the Old Xavs back in 2017.

“Having witnessed Scott’s coaching prowess over the last 18 months we have no doubt that the Genazzano football family is in good hands.

“We look forward to working with the team at Genazzano to grow women’s football across the board.”

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