Bears confirm coaching change


Published on Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Lower Plenty Football Netball Club has announced Travis Stephens as their new senior men’s coach for the 2024 season.

Stephens will head to the other side of Montmorency Park for at least the next two seasons after spending the last nine years with the Magpies as an assistant and reserves coach.

He replaces Phil Plunkett, who was in the role for the last two years.

The club also confirmed the signing of Chris Daw as Stephens’ senior assistant for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. He had also spent time with Montmorency recently and had previously achieved premiership success during his time with Eltham.

A club statement said:

The Lower Plenty Football Netball Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Travis Stephens as Senior Coach and Chris Daw as Senior Assistant Coach for the 2024 & 2025 seasons.

We strongly believe Travis and Chris will form a formidable coaching team that will lead us in building for success and establishing a winning culture through developing our talented young list and rejuvenating our more experienced players.

Travis commenced his coaching journey in 2008 moving on to Box Hill Hawks in the VFL from 2012 – 2014. Finishing up at Montmorency F.C. as a Senior Assistant Coach and Reserves Coach between 2015 and 2023.

Travis brings with him a wealth of playing and coaching experience that supports a Coaching Philosophy which is in sync with our club’s values and requirements.

Chris commenced his coaching journey in 2007 and moving on to the Eltham F.C. in 2011 through to 2021. During his time at Eltham, Chris was very successful achieving a U/19’s Div 1 Premiership and multiple Div 1 Reserves Preliminary Finals. In 2022 Chris was Eltham’s Div 2 Seniors Assistant Coach who played in the Grand Final. 2023 saw Chris appointed Senior Assistant Coach with Montmorency F.C. making the finals.

Chris also brings a wealth of experience and has developed a Coaching Philosophy and Game Plan that aligns with the key criteria of the club.

The Club is very pleased to welcome Travis, Chris and their families to the Lower Plenty Football Netball Club.

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