Schulz ready for head coach challenge at OL’s

It’s a role he’s wanted to do for three years, and former AFL star Jay Schulz believes “the time is right” to take up his first head coaching role at Old Launcestonians.

Jay Schulz celebrates a win during his time at Port Adelaide. Picture: Calum Robertson

He’s filled a number of roles in Tassie football, but former AFL star Jay Schulz feels “the time is right” to take his first senior coaching role at Old Launcestonians.

Schulz, who played 194 AFL games for Richmond and Port Adelaide, will lead the NTFA division one outfit after playing a handful of games for them in 2021.

The 38-year-old filled coaching education and support roles at AFL Tasmania and North Launceston, as well as head coach at Launceston Grammar.

“It’s a new challenge for me. I’ve never done it (head coaching) in my own capacity,” he said.

“Traditionally working with kids is what I’ve done, I love doing that. I had wanted to do this since I joined OL’s but I had restrictions working with the AFL, now I’m not there the time is right.

“I’m ecstatic about it, I’m all for challenges and testing myself.”

Further developing OL’s partnership with Grammar will be one of Schulz’s main objectives.

“They’re basically their feeder team. We’ve tried to build that relationship with kids coming out of school and it probably hasn’t yet gone to the level we want it to, so there’ll be a focus on that for sure,” Schulz said.

“We might bring in one or two more senior guys, but it’s a pretty good blend of young and old at the moment. We’re in a good space to develop those young guys through the ressies.”

OL’s finished fifth in division one last year, and Schulz hopes to join the reserves side (last year) and the women (this year) in building towards a flag.

“I’m not making any promises, but I’ll try my best to get it done,” he said.

“It’s a fine balance on what you want to achieve straight away, and what you build towards the future.

“We want to achieve straight away, but have to look at the stability of the club going forward as well.”

Schulz’s season with OL’s this year lasted just one-and-a-half games after he busted his ACL, but will undergo LARS surgery to speed up the recovery and is yet to make a call on whether he plays.