Old Scholars strugglers land their man with State League star officially announced as new coach
Three wins in past 79 matches, five consecutive wooden spoons, a decade long finals drought and 20 years since premiership success was not enough to stop Jaye Bowden accepting the next challenge of his career
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NEVER one to shirk a challenge, Jaye Bowden has accepted the responsibility of leading the revival of the Old Scholars battler back into finals contender.
One of southern football’s worst kept secrets is finally out with Bowden, who announced his TSL and Glenorchy retirement last month, signing a two-year deal as playing coach of St Virgil’s.
The State League’s most decorated player is under no illusions of the task at hand, with the Saints finishing as wooden spooners in every season since 2016 and winning just three of its 79 matches in the past five years.
Three years ago a player shortage on the eve of the season nearly forced the club into recess.
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It will be a baptism of fire for the classy forward as he steps into the coaching ranks for the first time, but it was also the appeal which led to him joining the club.
“They have approached me the last couple of years but as I said at my [Glenorchy] retirement press conference, this year was the year it felt more like I was in a good spot to step back,” Bowden said.
“For me, when you say the struggles they’ve had, it’s probably a bit of a challenge and something I look forward to hopefully getting that football club back to playing regular finals football.
“That’s a massive challenge for me and something that will keep me very motivated.
“I am fully invested with St Virgil’s and keen to get in. They haven’t had much success on field but there are some ripping people there and some really good people who I’ve got connections through with Glenorchy.
“I see an opportunity where I can add a few things and hopefully it wont take too much to improve and get some on field success sooner rather than later as well.”
Bowden will take the reins from former Glenorchy teammate Simon Spencer, with a number of former Pies also understood to be joining him in the blue and gold.
Bowden confirmed brother Tyler as one recruit, but said it was premature to formally announce other additions.
The likes of Cameron Duffy, Rhys Mott and Trad Duggan have all been linked in a move with the new coach.
Saints president Joel Berry said while on field success has eluded the senior side in recent years — it’s last finals appearance came in 2011 and last premiership was 2001 — off field it was a in a strong position to land a big fish when the time was right.
“It is no illusion the struggles we have had the last couple of years but I think we have done a really good job in building ourselves off the field and getting ourselves in a strong position to be able to, when the opportunity presented itself, to go after a player of his calibre.
“It worked our really well that things all seemed to line up nicely. Our senior coach this year Simon played a lot of footy at Glenorchy, Jaye’s dad used to coach St Virgil’s.
“I think Jaye’s biggest motivation is proving himself as coach and proving he can work with a challenge.”
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