Scotch College

Todd Mitchell - a man on a soccer mission

This is an interview with Todd Mitchell, senior soccer coach at Scotch in 2006, and a first-year player with Scotch Old Boys’ Soccer Club. The club secretary, Tim Ward, asked the questions.

Tim Ward: Todd, you took on the Scotch senior soccer team’s coaching role this year. How did you rate the experience?

Todd Mitchell: It was fantastic to be involved with the 2006 Scotch soccer program. I enjoyed the challenges of the year, and working with the players and staff involved. A little bit more success would have been nice.

TW: Was this your first soccer coaching role?

TM: Yes.

TW: Coaching is such a demanding role, and the pressure to get results is intense. Do you intend to coach again in 2007, or will you concentrate on playing?

TM: I intend both to coach and play in 2007

TW: This was also your first year playing with Scotch Old Boys’ Soccer Club (SOBSC). You had an indifferent start to the season, with a broken arm in round 1, and came back well within six weeks. How did you cope with the recovery and getting back to full fitness?

TM: My arm healed very well, and I was training within three weeks. I was fortunate that it was an upper body injury, allowing me to run and ride soon after the incident.

TW: You played mostly on the right flank for the season. Was this your preferred position? If not, what is?

TM: To be in the starting eleven. I prefer to play in the centre of midfield but you play where the coach puts you, and you try to play that position to the best of your ability. Steve Whately was doing an excellent job on the right flank for us before he suffered a shocking tackle against Seaford and broke his ankle. Laszio Baranyay and I shared the position until he moved to a central role and I stayed on the right.

TW: The SOBSC squad is a tightly knit group, but is also very diverse, with players coming from all over the community. If you could pick one or two players, who did you think you bonded with the most?

TM: It’s hard to say. Probably Adam Greaves and Daniel Giesen-White if I had to name a couple. They were two guys who were also new to the club and were great to be around.

TW: Six former Scotch students joined the team this season: Dave Latimer, Chris Jewitt, Adam Greaves, Myles Tzelepis, Nick Cruikshank and you. There also seems to be some bright young talent coming through from the 2006 graduates. How positive is the future for Scotch soccer in terms of player depth?

TM: Extremely positive. There are many talented players coming through the school system, and with an increase in player participation and maximum effort from coaches, players and parents we can expect exciting things to come. A number of Year 12s finishing this year from both the firsts and seconds squads will do very well in the future for Old Scotch, or whichever club they choose.

TW: Missing out on promotion only two games from the end of the season was heartbreaking for everyone involved in the club, especially you, because with some excellent performances, you really had your heart set on getting up to division 1. How do you see SOBSC’s chances for season 2007?

TM: It was disappointing not to be promoted this season, but there is no doubt SOBSC will be promoted in 2007.

TW: What does the future hold? You now have experience in coaching and playing at senior level. What is the pinnacle for Todd Mitchell? Where do you want to be in your soccer career?

TM: We will just have to wait and see.