Received life membership in 2016.
Chris is widely regarded as one of the best coaches to have been a part of Ainslie. The facts speak for themselves – 14 years and six premierships over his tenure but above all was responsible for the careful nurturing of all players and coaches who were lucky enough to work under Chris.
Originally from Blackburn South in Melbourne, Chris came to Ainslie with extensive playing and coaching experience having represented Fitzroy in the VFL and Camberwell in the VFA, before transitioning into coaching at Echuca Football Club. Chris’s coaching career took him from country Victoria to Sydney before eventually landing in the ACT and at Ainslie in 2007.
In only his third year as Coach in 2009, Chris took Ainslie to the Grand Final, losing only narrowly to Belconnen before rebounding the following year to beat Eastlake in the 2010 Grand Final. This early success stemmed with Premierships in 2011 (inaugural NEAFL season) and from 2016 through to 2019.
Chris’s impact was beyond the field too, his stewardship and devotion was noted by everyone involved with the club during his tenure – from players to fellow volunteers and members. In 2026, Chris would be a deserved induction into the AFL Canberra Hall of Fame.
Chirs’ induction as a Life Member is a tribute to his dedication, mentorship and the development of a winning culture at Ainslie which has continued to stick true for many years even after his retirement in 2020.