Lower Plenty FC is very pleased to announce the engagement of Jeff Gieschen to the club in the newly created role of club development manager.
Jeff’s enormously impressive football resum’e across playing, coaching, administration as well as national umpires manager brings an incredible wealth of footy acumen to our club.
The club is currently in a very exciting phase of development with the creation of the role of Coaching Director which Vin Dittoli is performing in 2016 . Added to that is the further development of our partnership with the Research Junior Football Club with the development of some new programs the clubs will undertake together to further enhance the “one club- one pathway “ mission.
As president I feel very fortunate on the clubs behalf to have someone of Jeffs calibre join the Bears ranks to add value to our club with his vast experience and enthusiasm in and around all things footy. We tend to have our heads down all year controlling the day to day issues of the club and rarely lift it to take a breath or cast an eye over the clubs continual development and future direction. Jeff is not hindered by history or emotion and will be free to create fresh ideas drawing on his vast experience. His role will include being a sounding board for our coaches, development of club culture, implementing leadership programs , linking programs with RJFC and mentoring the Diamond Creek Womens newly appointed senior coach, Tania Hetherington.
Its appropriate I believe to list Jeffs achievements in our game to allow everyone to fully understand what a great opportunity this is for our club.
PLAYING
Captained Victorias under 16 team and was voted All Australian vice captain of the under 16 team.
Played 150 senior games for Maffra in the Latrobe valley football league winning 3 league player of the year awards and 2 league best and fairest awards.
He won 7 senior club best and fairest awards for Maffra including one as a 15 year old lad.
He also captained the LVFL rep side .
Played 24 games for the seniors at Footscray Football club 1974 – 1978.
He had one year at Wodonga in the Ovens and Murray football league winning the club best and fairest that year.
COACHING
In 1979 he returned to the LVFL coaching Maffra and was inducted into that clubs hall of fame in 2008.
Coached Wodonga from 1986 – 1991 for two premierships resulting in being awarded Ovens and Murray coach of the year in 1990.
During Jeff’s 6 year reign at Wodonga the club won 5 league championships. Those titles are based on the combined results of the clubs three grades. Ones twos thirds , which is a real indication of his impact across the whole club.
Named Wodongas coach of the century in 2004.
Coached West Perth from wooden spoon in 1991 to a Grand Final loss to Claremont in 1993 , the same year he was awarded the WAFL coach of the year.
Named West Perth coach of the century in 2008.
1995 – 1996 assistant senior coach at Geelong which included a grand final appearance.
1997 became the Richmond FC Reserves coach taking them from the wooden spoon to premiers in the same year.
1997 was elevated to coach the senior side at Richmond for a win loss ratio of 52 % over 49 games.
Finally Jeff fulfilled the role of AFL umpires national manager for a staggering 14 years. During this time he oversaw an incredible change in umpires professionalism and advancement in many areas.
Please make yourself known to Jeff when you see him around the place and make him feel very welcome. Feel free to bounce ideas and thoughts off him that you feel may contribute to the development of the football club. Bring on season 2016 !
Grant Barden.