Garry McIntosh locked in as women’s coach at Payneham Norwood Union

Dual Magarey Medallist and SA Football Hall of Famer Garry McIntosh has taken on a new coaching position at his beloved local club as it vies for more success in 2023.

A South Australian footballing legend has taken on a new coaching role at his beloved local club for season 2023.

Garry McIntosh – who played 371 games for Norwood in the SANFL, winning two premierships, two club best and fairests, and two Magarey Medals – has signed as Payneham Norwood Union’s senior women’s coach.

The SA Football Hall of Famer took over as Falcons senior men’s coach in 2005, eventually leading them to an Adelaide Footy League division one flag in 2019, and had spent the last three years as reserves coach.

McIntosh replaces previous women’s coach Simon Barratt as he pursues an opportunity with Gleeson College.

Former SANFL Norwood and state great Garry McIntosh with memorabilia from the 1984 International Rules game. The beloved Payneham Norwood Union figure will coach the club’s women‘s side in 2023. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I’ve been reserves coach for a while now but it was probably time for me to step out of the men’s program – there’s been a fair bit of change at the footy club so we’ll continue to get some new people involved,” McIntosh said of the decision.

“We thought we had someone lined up for the senior women’s job but that fell through and the fallback plan was always for me to take that opportunity if it presented itself.

“When you’re the reserves coach you have to follow the direction of the senior coach a bit so I’m looking forward to being able to coach my own team.”

McIntosh played a major role along with Central District women’s coach Ben Hunt in establishing PNU’s women’s program.

McIntosh helped to establish PNU’s women’s program. Pictured with former players Holly Cunningham, Grace Packer and Charlotte Kelly. Picture: Sam Wundke

He said the recent success of the senior team as well as the junior sides had him excited for what the program could become.

“We’ve been in division one for three years now and played in two losing grand finals so we’ve been strong and consistent,” McIntosh said.

“We’re in the process of building the junior girls up too, we’ve got about 60 players at the moment which is great and we hope to continue growing there.

“There’s a good core of players tied up at Norwood, Central District, Sturt and North Adelaide so we want to continue showing we can be competitive but also be a strong platform for girls to develop and move on to SANFL league footy from.”

McIntosh after leading Payneham Norwood Union to a hard fought 2005 division four flag as playing-coach. He hopes to bring more success to the club next season. Picture: Matt Carty

The Falcons’ women’s side, led by Kate Rasheed and Alana Giannini, made the division one finals last season but fell to Broadview in its elimination final.

McIntosh said he believed the squad had the ingredients and work ethic to bounce back in 2023.

“For us it’s about getting a group together which can have a crack at getting to that last game of the season and I think we have a strong group.

“We train hard multiple times a week and we maintain a very professional level.

“If we can maintain that drive I think we can go far.”