It is with great admiration, but also sadness, that I advise Chris Yard has decided to stand down as Pennant Hills Men’s Premier Division Coach after 10 years.

Chris is the most successful coach in our club’s history with 9 finals series, 4 grand finals and 2 Premierships in his 10 years. Importantly in what is Chris’ 10th season, he has blooded 12 debutants, laying the foundation for the next wave of Penno success.

To think of Chris as only an outstanding Coach is to do a disservice to his playing career. Graduating from the Westbrook Junior AFL Club (the club his father Tony helped found), Chris commenced playing at Penno Seniors in 1989. During the period from 1989 to commencing as Premier Divison Coach, Chris was a Sydney AFL representative, a Pennant Hills Footballer of the Year and the best Ruckman in the competition, and was the first Demons player to reach the 300 game milestone in 2007.

This is only a quick snapshot of the outstanding contribution of Chris as a player and coach.  Chris is arguably the person who has had the single greatest impact on Pennant Hills Football Club in its 50-year history, noting Chris has been an integral part of the last 33 years.

Chris was also inducted into the Sydney AFL Hall of Fame in 2018 to signify his dedication and commitment to both AFL at Pennant Hills and within the Sydney competition.

There will be much more said about Chris over the coming weeks as we decide how to appropriately recognise his contribution – stay tuned.

On behalf of all Players, Coaches, Committee members, volunteers and Penno members we sincerely thank you, Chris.

Phil Hare

President of the Pennant Hills AFL Club