Brisbane Lions AFC has today announced a new two-year deal for Senior Coach Michael Voss.

The decision to re-appoint Voss until the end of 2013 was made with the unanimous support of the Board following an exhaustive review.

Lions Chairman Angus Johnson said the review, which included the involvement of independent advisers David Parkin and John Reid, determined that Voss was the right person to lead and develop a young and maturing list over the next two seasons. Johnson, CEO Malcolm Holmes, GM - Football Operations, Dean Warren and Lions Director Graeme Downie also sat on the review’s committee.

Johnson said the expectation was now for Voss to continue the group’s development.

“Michael Voss is the right person to be leading this young and developing Brisbane Lions side,” Johnson said.

“The re-appointment of Michael followed a thorough and robust review process undertaken by the Club.
“That review process provided Michael with an opportunity to highlight his development as Senior Coach as well as addressing previous mistakes.

“In what has been a very challenging year for the team, Michael has performed very strongly, with positive results already emerging from the changes made to the football department at the end of last year.

“From a disrupted pre-season to losing Jonathan Brown, Brent Staker, Daniel Merrett and Josh Drummond for extended periods to injury, as well as promoting 11 debutants, Michael has handled this adversity extremely well.

“His ability to lead a united and committed team despite enormous challenges has been excellent.

“The next challenge now, however, is to get on with the job at hand and continue the development of this young list to put the Brisbane Lions back in contention for a return to the finals.”

Voss, in his third year as Senior Coach, said he was excited by the growth potential of his young list.

“The most exciting part of being re-appointed as Senior Coach at the Brisbane Lions is the amount of growth we have ahead of us, both on and off the field,” said Voss.

“There is a burning desire and determination from everyone to get this Club back where it belongs and that is to the finals.

“There’s plenty of work to do to get there but, for us, it’s all about the future now and what we want to achieve.”

A number of long-term injuries to key players allowed Voss to fast-track the development of a number of young players - particularly the 11 handed debuts this season.

And despite winning only four games this season, the Lions’ intent and commitment has been on show for all to witness in 2011, with the team losing five games by less than two goals and 10 by less than five goals.

His faith in the developing list has seen the favour returned over the past two months, with young guns Tom Rockliff, Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Rich, Patrick Karnezis, Jared Polec, Ryan Harwood and Jesse O’Brien either extending their current contracts with the Club, or signing new deals.