Tim McGowan: talented on and off the field

In an era of professional footballers, where academic ability and football talent seem almost mutually exclusive, McGowan breaks the mould.

Currently studying Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Sydney University, after graduating in 2006 from Westfields Sports High School with a UAI of 90.75 which places him well and truly in the top 10% of students in the state, McGowan is able to balance his studies with a football career at Marconi Stallions ? a club he has played with since he was aged 10.

McGowan is currently out with an injured ankle but he expects to be back soon: ?It?s coming along good and I should be on the park in about one or two weeks,? he said.

?At training I got the ankle caught in the ground and I just went over on it.?
So what does he wish to achieve this year from playing for the Stallions?

?I just hope to prove myself in the first grade team this year,? McGowan stated.

?We are looking strong, we have a good mix of youth and experience, we are looking to prove ourselves and we are hoping to do well for the club.?

A lot of credit is also given by McGowan to David Barrett, currently Marconi?s first grade coach who was promoted from the under-20s last year.

?I enjoy working with him a lot,? he said. ?He is a really good coach who teaches us how to play good football and he just promotes a good style of football.?
-By Joe Russo