Magarey Medallist James Allan named Rostrevor College football director and first XVIII coach
A former North Adelaide and Norwood star is set to take control of the football program and coach the first XVIII side at one of Adelaide’s top colleges.
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Three-time Magarey Medallist James Allan is set to guide the next generation of Rostrevor College football talent.
The former North Adelaide star and Norwood premiership player has been named as the school’s first ever football director and will also take on the role of first XVIII coach.
Allan, 34, said on-field success and developing the college’s talented youngsters for higher success were his priorities.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to make a bit of a difference and help win a few games,” said Allan, who played 144 SANFL games from 2007 to 2015.
“We’re looking at building a curriculum and development program much like SANFL and AFL clubs do where you’re preparing guys to play first XVIII footy and even beyond that.
“I’m hoping we can develop some guys who go on to play some really good AFL and SANFL footy – if not go back to local clubs and be really strong contributors on and off the field.”
The 2007, 2010 and 2011 Magarey Medallist takes over as first XVIII coach from Ron Fuller, who will continue his involvement with the college in a reduced capacity.
Allan has spent the past two seasons coaching Norwood’s under-18s side and was announced as the Redlegs’ league midfield coach in November.
He also signed to play with Great Southern Football League side Goolwa/Port Elliot in October.
But Allan said he would juggle the roles, with Norwood playing the majority of its games on Friday nights and Sundays, while also playing for the Magpies where possible.
“I don’t think there will be a lot of crossover with school footy and Norwood footy,” he said.
Allan last played in 2017 for Adelaide Footy League club Pembroke Old Scholars and was a primary school teacher at Pembroke before taking the Rostrevor role.
He will also be a physical education teacher at Rostrevor.
“I’ve got a good understanding with how it (college footy) all works,” Allan said.
“Coaching the under-18s out at Norwood, we’ve had a big presence of Rostrevor kids, so I know a lot of the boys and understand what they’re program has been about.
“I’m really big on doing everything as well as you possibly can, trying to not complicate the game too much and let the boys just go out there and play.
“But when we’re training we should be striving for excellence in everything we do.
“There’s no point just going through the motions.”
The 2014 SANFL premiership midfielder is not the only big name set to be involved in college footy this year, with former Adelaide Crow Richard Douglas in a high performance role at St Peter’s working with coach Sam Elliott.
patrick.keam@news.com.au