Seymour FNC News
The Seymour Football Netball Club has welcomed a $3.9 million commitment to upgrade Kings Park, describing the proposed investment as a transformative step for the club and one of Seymour’s most important community precincts. The commitment announced by Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland MP would deliver a new community centre at Kings Park, including a cafeteria, club change rooms, office space, an event space, bar and upgraded sporting facilities. Seymour Football Netball Club President Peter Elliott said the commitment represented a major opportunity to provide facilities that matched the importance of Kings Park to the Seymour community. “This would be absolutely transformative for our club and for the entire Kings Park precinct,” Mr Elliott said. “Kings Park is the home of the Seymour Lions, but it is much more than a football and netball venue. It is a place where our community comes together, and facilities of this standard would allow it to fulfil that role in a way it simply cannot at the moment. “For our club, modern change rooms, better social and event facilities and dedicated administration space would make an enormous difference to our players, volunteers, members, supporters and visiting clubs. “Importantly, this is bigger than the Seymour Football Netball Club. Investment in Kings Park creates opportunities for the many sporting and community groups that use the precinct and gives Seymour a facility capable of hosting larger community events and bringing people together. “We have a proud club with a long history and a strong future, and this commitment would provide infrastructure that can serve generations of Seymour people to come.” Mr Elliott said improving the precinct would also help the club continue to grow participation and provide a welcoming environment for footballers, netballers, juniors, families and volunteers. “Community sporting clubs are about far more than what happens on the field or court. They are places where friendships are formed, volunteers contribute, families connect and people feel part of their community,” he said. “Having modern, accessible and fit-for-purpose facilities is critical to making sure we can continue providing that environment. “We thank Annabelle Cleeland for listening to our club and the wider Seymour community and recognising the enormous potential of Kings Park. “We look forward to continuing to work with all levels of government and our community to see this vision for Kings Park become a reality.”
The Seymour Football Netball Club is thrilled to announce that A Grade playing coach Elle Nexhip has re-committed to the Lions for the 2027 season. One of the most decorated netballers to come through Seymour, Nexhip returned to The Den in 2026 following an outstanding career at the elite level in Australia and overseas and immediately made an impact on the Lions’ senior netball program. Nexhip will continue to lead Seymour’s A Grade side in 2027, providing the Club with important continuity as it looks to build on a finals appearance this season. The Lions qualified for the 2026 Goulburn Valley League finals and opened their campaign with a victory over Mansfield, before their season came to an end against Mooroopna. SFNC President Peter Elliott said securing Nexhip for another season was a major boost for the Club and its broader netball program, supported by an incredibly hard working netball department. “Having Elle commit to Seymour for 2027 is fantastic news for our Club and particularly for our netball program,” Mr Elliott said. “When we announced Elle’s return last year, we knew we were bringing back someone with an extraordinary amount of experience at the highest levels of the game, but also someone who understands Seymour and has a genuine connection to this Club. “She has brought that experience and professionalism back to The Den and has had a significant impact both as a player and as a coach. “To make finals and win our first final was a positive step for the group. While we would have loved to have gone further, there is plenty for us to build on heading into next season. “Having Elle at the forefront of that is enormously important. She knows what success looks like, she knows what is required to compete at the top end of the Goulburn Valley League and she is passionate about helping our players continue to develop.” Nexhip’s netball career has taken her from Seymour to the highest levels of the sport. A Wellman Medallist and dual A Grade premiership player and coach with the Lions, she went on to represent Victorian Fury and earn VNL Team of the Year honours before becoming a Melbourne Vixens premiership player. She later secured a Super Netball contract with the Adelaide Thunderbirds before taking her career overseas, playing with Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Dragons in the United Kingdom. Her performances abroad also saw her reach international level, representing the England Roses. After building such an extensive playing résumé away from Seymour, Nexhip returned to the Club ahead of the 2026 season to take charge of the A Grade side and help develop the next generation of Lions netballers. Mr Elliott said her influence extended well beyond the A Grade court. “One of the most exciting things about having Elle back at Seymour is what it means for the entire pathway,” he said. “Our younger players have someone at their own Club who has played Super Netball, won at the elite level and represented a country internationally. “They get to see the standards she sets, learn from her experience and understand what is required to take their netball as far as they possibly can. “At the same time, Elle has a tremendous understanding of country netball and the Goulburn Valley League because this is where her own journey began. “That combination makes her an incredibly valuable person to have leading our program once again in 2027.”