Monbulk Football Club’s seniors coach Chris Hughson was recently named coach of the year.By Tania Martin
FINISHING the 2005 football season on a high Monbulk’s seniors coach not only led his team to a premiership, but has been awarded Eastern Regions coach of the year.
Chris Hughson returned to his beloved Monbulk Hawks this year after a successful stint with the VFL and EFL (Eastern District Football League).
He began his football career as a youngster in the juniors and also played seniors with Monbulk before playing in the EFL.
Chris also played in the VFL with Box Hill for two years and returned to Monbulk in 1993-94.
He then played for East Ringwood for six years before returning to his home team at Monbulk.
In his first season of coaching, Chris led his team to a premiership and was surprised to be nominated for coach of the year.
He said coaching was hard in the beginning as he was also playing, but with some help from the sidelines he pulled his team through.
“I had fairly high expectations for the team, but was unsure how we would go as a new coach I was not sure how the team would respond to me,” Chris said.
Chris said he didn’t expect to be nominated for coach of the year and was surprised when he won the award. “I love playing football and I really enjoyed coaching for the first time,” he said. Chris will coach the senior Monbulk side again next season.
