Scott Gowans appointed coach of Old Xaverians women’s team

One of the most respected coaches in women’s football has landed at Old Xavs in what president Matt Cosgrave called a coup for the VAFA club.

Scott Gowans coaching the AFLW Kangaroos this year.

Scott Gowans was announced as a senior assistant coach of the Collingwood AFLW team this morning.

He was confirmed as the new head coach of the Old Xaverians women’s team this afternoon.

In what OX president Matt Cosgrave called a coup, Gowans will steer Xavs in their return to Premier division of the VAFA women’s section.

He replaces Murray Browne, who took the side to a grand final and promotion in 2019.

“Thrilled to have someone of his expertise and experience heading up our women’s program,’’ Cosgrave said.

“He applied. He reached out to us and we were pretty keen to snap him up.’’

Old Xaverians kicked off a women’s program in 2017 and were on track to have three teams this year.

Cosgrave said the club had up to 90 players training before COVID-19 cut off the season.

“We think Scott is going to be fantastic in terms of growing the women’s side of the footy club and continue to make it stronger and have success in A grade,’’ he said.

Cosgrave said there might be some overlap between the AFLW and VAFA seasons but Gowans and the club could manage it.

Scott Gowans had an excellent record at North Melbourne.

Gowans is one of the most respected coaches in women’s football. He coached North Melbourne’s AFLW team in its first two years in the AFLW, achieving 11 wins from 14 matches.

Gowans was let go in June for financial reasons.

“Scott has been a tremendous contributor to the club and our AFLW program. This circumstance has come about through no fault of his own and we sincerely thank him for his passion, commitment and hard work during his time at Arden St,’’ North GM of football Brady Rawlings said at the time.

Gowans had previously coached Diamond Creek and the Vic Country Youth Girls teams, and was an assistant at Carlton AFLW in 2017.

“He’s incredibly highly regarded,’’ Cosgrave said of Gowans.