Seymour Football Netball Club had its presentation night at Kings Park on Thursday night, celebrating achievements across the 2023 Goulburn Valley League, GVL, season.
Morrison Medal winner Jack O’Sullivan won the club’s seniors best and fairest and best finals player, Ben Rigoni was runner-up best and fairest, followed by leading goal kicker, with 34 goals, and third best and fairest Riley Mason.
Ben Cooney won most improved and Huw Jones received the coaches award.
Jones also took home the Eamonn O’Connor award voted by teammates as the player most consistently displaying the values ‘tough, hard and honest’.
Tayte Lewis was the Reserves best and fairest and best finals player with Lucas Cannizzo runner-up and Chayse Thomson third.
Alex Elliott won most improved and Gus Garner won the coach’s award, while Ben Tarran was leading goal kicker with 43 goals.
In the netball, GVL board chair Jacqui Hudgson and league operations manager Jo Spencer were in attendance alongside Tatura’s Elsie Boyer to present the 2023 Wellman Medal to Sarah Szczykulski.
An error in the league vote count saw Boyer presented as the winner of the A Grade medal, but Szczykulski was later deemed the rightful winner.
Szczykulski also won the club’s A Grade netball best and fairest, with Casey Adamson runner-up. Olivia Barry won the coach’s award.
Lucy Zotti was the B Grade netball best and fairest, best finals player and won the coach’s award, while Ashlyn Webster was runner-up best and fairest.
B Reserve best and fairest was Madison Albers with Sarah Waite runner-up.
Casey Drummond was best finals player and Mia Allen won the coach’s award.
Club president Gerard O’Sullivan congratulated players on their on-field achievements during the season.
“We had a really great season across all grades and while we didn’t bring home any premierships, everyone involved at the club should be immensely proud of their efforts,” he said.
“There are some really talented young players coming up through both the football and netball and we can’t wait to watch their progress over the coming years.
“It’s also a fantastic achievement to have the Morrison Medal for the third year in a row and the Wellman Medal being bestowed on some of our club’s champions.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank the GVL, Tatura and Elsie Boyer in particular for not only their attendance on Thursday night but the professional manner in which they have all conducted themselves over the past week.”
Mr O’Sullivan also thanked volunteers who made every training session, matchday and season possible.
“While we are incredibly proud of our players, in many ways presentation night is also about the amazing volunteers who keep our club running,” he said.
“We were fortunate enough to induct two qualified life members in Sarah Brown and Dylan Scopel as well as Doug McLarty for his selfless service over decades to the club.
“Doug is incredibly deserving of this honour and we can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for the Lions.
“We are lucky to have a great team behind the scenes that put in countless hours to allow our players to enjoy their games and keep the club running smoothly.
“Presentation night puts a bit of a full stop on the 2023 season but preparations are well underway for next year. We can’t wait to get back into things and achieve even more together in 2024.”
Among other club awards Veronica Hager won the Lenny Brown best netball club person award and Ben Davey won best club person.
With all five senior netball and football sides playing finals, the Lions also finished second in the GVL club championship award.
