Sport
4 December, 2023
Scott Quinlan steps up for Maryborough FNC to take over as new club president
Scott Quinlan is stepping up as the new president of the Maryborough Football Netball Club, and it’s safe to say he’s delighted about it. “It’s an honour and it’s special to be approached by some long-standing, loyal community members of...
Scott Quinlan is stepping up as the new president of the Maryborough Football Netball Club, and it’s safe to say he’s delighted about it.
“It’s an honour and it’s special to be approached by some long-standing, loyal community members of the club,” he said.
“There is a lot to do, but we are in a good position off the field. It’s a re-assuring thing that the juniors are in all the grades and have plenty of numbers, which is rewarding.
“But making sure that the seniors and reserves continue to improve is the main focus at the moment.”
Quinlan has been a long-serving member of the club, focusing on the junior division for many years, working in the football department.
He is also a premiership coach of the club’s under 16s in 2022, as well as serving on the junior committee.
Quinlan was heavily involved in recruiting many players in their under 16 premiership season, with progression into senior football at the club, as well as at the Bendigo Pioneers in the Coates Talent League.
However, while Quinlan knows there is plenty of work to do at senior level, he has been hands on straight from the get-go.
“I’ve had discussions with senior coach Coby Perry, and also had brief discussions with A grade netball coach Maggie Tranter,” he said.
“Maggie is pretty positive about some potential signings, which is good, and it sounds like she has a good view of what is going on.
“Between her and joint vice-president Melissa Adams, they are switched on, invested and it’s re-assuring having that sort of support when you take on such a big role.
“The most important things to me are networking, having a positive environment and spreading that positive message, and making sure the wider community is reminded that we are in the premier league of the Bendigo area, which is no mean feat.”
Quinlan believes the senior footballers are closer to ending a long-standing winless drought, which stretches back to the start of the 2021 season.
“It was a little bit disappointing not getting a couple of wins last year, although the senior body were quite close,” he said.
“But it was fantastic to see the reserves get a couple of wins, and there’s plenty to capitalise on that, as well as injecting new blood from the under 18s.
“There are some great young players that have stayed on, and they are showing their commitment.
“I think now working with Coby, we’ll be working hard with our feet on the ground to attract more talent into the club to compliment the young signings coming through like Tom Myers and Aidan Medlyn, the next generation coming through.
“I believe the seniors will be better than last year, and I would love for a few wins and a bit more on-field success.
“But the goal at hand is a big pre-season and successful recruitment, which is high on the agenda from a board perspective.”
Quinlan will look to use his knowledge from spending time in the junior system, particularly learning from the knowledge Cam Skinner has had in building up the junior program over the years.
“I gained a fair bit of knowledge from Cam Skinner while I worked with the juniors,” he said.
“I feel Cam doesn’t get the recognition he should from outside, he has done a phenomenal job with the club as a whole, and the club is in a good spot with the juniors again this year. I still learn things off Cam that I’ll take with me.”
Quinlan will have no shortage of support as he takes on his new role at the club.
“It’s fantastic to have Marc Cassidy back on the board as the secretary, another great long-standing club person, and his wife is heavily involved with the netball side of things,” he said.
“Troy Bursill has committed again, Natasha Howell is another who has stepped up again. There is a really good blend of male and female on the committee, which is very encouraging for football and netball matters.”
Quinlan paid tribute to the job that outgoing president Kelvin Noonan did for the club.
“To stand alone is a credit to the club, and Kelvin did a terrific job in trying times. The club is in a good position in comparison to previous years, and that is something to build on and continue on with,” he said.