On the eve of finals, the Seymour Lions have locked in their 2024 Senior football and A Grade coaches with Ben Davey and Ellie Fuhrmeister recommitting for another season.
With all senior football and netball sides having secured a finals berth, the reappointments come off the back of an unprecedented clean sweep of netball premierships in 2022 and Seymour’s two senior football sides finishing the home and away season in the top two.
Both coaches have built strong records at the club with Ben Davey a dual senior premiership player in 1991 and 2005 in addition to coaching a Reserves premiership in 2006. Following his playing career, Davey spent time coaching at the Murray Bushrangers and North Melbourne.
Fuhrmeister is a three-time A grade premiership player and GVL representative with experience coaching every senior and junior grade at the club, all while having played more than 200 games at the Lions.
Seymour President Gerard O’Sullivan said the club was thrilled to have both coaches recommit for the 2024 season.
“Ben and Ellie have played a massive role in our recent success and we’re delighted they’re back on board for 2024,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Our netball program has been incredibly well run and coached, evidenced by the remarkable three premierships we took home from Deakin last year.
“Ben has put together a really special group of footballers and we look forward to them having a red-hot crack in September.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Ben and Ellie back next year while being incredibly excited about what’s to come across the finals series.”
Ellie Fuhrmeister said she was looking forward to a big September campaign and the ongoing development of the club’s netballers.
“We’ve got a huge finals series coming up for the netballers with plenty of stiff competition across the league,” Ms Fuhrmeister said.
“We’re coming into the next few months extremely motivated and there’s no room to get complacent. We’ve got a great group and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to support our junior sides, watch their development and support them as they become senior netballers.”
Senior coach Ben Davey said the club was in a strong position, with only one game lost between the Seniors and Reserves in the 2023 Home and Away season.
“We’ve got a really strong young group of footballers who enjoy each other’s company. It makes the club a great place to be,” Mr Davey said.
“Importantly our depth and numbers across the reserves means we’ve got plenty of blokes around the club who can step up to senior footy at any time.
“Everyone is pulling in the same direction, and I know our senior side has got some entertaining and hopefully very successful footy ahead of it.
“No matter what happens this September, I’m excited to be back on board for 2024 and pushing this group to keep improving.”
