Shepparton Swans appoint Sean Davies to lead the club’s youth girls side for its 2025 campaign

Not at the speed he’s familiar with, either.

“I ride motocross,” Davies said with a laugh after being asked what his football background was.

“My daughter played this year for the first time and just watching her come out of her shell was great.

“She had skills, but she was very quiet and everything, so it gave her confidence.

“I retired young, so I’m just wanting to give a bit back, get the girls motivated and get a successful team whatever that looks like. Hopefully (we) just have fun and win some games.”

After selling off his business, Davies got a taste of the football sidelines after watching his daughter Ella lace up for the Swans in the Goulburn Murray Youth Girls comp last season.

He even ran water, catching the vibe and feeling the game seep into his bones.

Now, Davies is entering the world of coaching on pure guts.

“I wanted to challenge myself; I ran a successful business for 20 years and I sold that,” he said.

“I thought ‘what next?’, and what could be more challenging than a group of teenage girls.

“I can’t sit still, I turned up at training and I was watching and I thought ‘I need to run around’.

“It’s no good sitting here watching, I may as well get in and help.”

Shepparton Swans have a rich history of dominating the girls’ football scene in the Goulburn Valley.

However, after winning premierships in 2022 and 2023, a drop-off in numbers at Princess Park meant the Swans failed to qualify for finals for the first time in 2024.

Davies is aware of the nature of the beast he faces.

He’s already put on a couple of sessions to try and entice players down to training, sounding the klaxons for more numbers to suit up in red and white in 2025.

It’s not ready-made future AFLW stars he’s asking for, necessarily.

Rather, he wants keen, enthusiastic girls to help him deliver his one mission: to bring his brand of bold to the Swans and have a ball while doing it.

“We’re struggling with numbers — we’re just trying to rally together now,” he said.

“We’re getting the girls meeting each other, gelling with each other and seeing where they’re at skill-wise.

“We just hope for people to turn up and be confident enough to have a kick. As long they show up, we can build a team.”

Davies indicated the club would run a few more training sessions before Christmas before launching into pre-season in the new year, inviting players and parents alike to come along.

Those who are interested can contact Sean Davies on 0408 311 919.