There was fierce tackling, strong contested marking and several freakish goals when the QBE Sydney Swans Youth Girls squads played their final Academy Cup games on Monday.
After 12 weeks of training, the 130 girls showed how far they have come since they were chosen as part of the Academy’s inaugural Youth Girls program.
Academy general manager, Chris Smith, said the girls – aged 12 and 13 – had improved markedly since their weekly sessions began in May.
“Their kicking is longer and more accurate, and they are reading the play so much better than when we started,’’ Smith said. “There are a number of girls who attack the footy really hard, which we love to see. It was a great start, and there is a lot of potential among the group.’’
The highlight came on Monday when the girls from across the Academy’s regions – the Hunter, Illawarra, Sydney city, Sydney south, Sydney north and Northern Beaches – came together for the final 2018 session at Lakeside Oval, opposite the SCG.
With Swans coach John Longmire and assistant coach, Brett Kirk, watching on, the girls were sorted into even teams for the inaugural QBE Youth Girls Academy Cup finals.
The U12 Academy Cup was won by the red team, with gutsy Lily Cyron a standout, despite the fact she was close to the smallest player on the team. She was strongly supported by the red team’s rucking specialist, the talented Sienna Julian.
In the U13 final, the yellow team was dominant. Sienna Perdis and Imogen Brown showed their pace and got plenty of the ball, while Samia Chrara, playing for the green team, took a number of strong overhead marks.
Swans 2005 premiership hero, Nick Davis, who was umpiring the finals, was impressed by the girls’ developing skills and competitive spirit. “It’s fantastic to see how much they’re enjoying their football, and how willing they are to listen and learn,’’ said Davis, who is the talent identification manager for the Swans Academy.
At the end of the final session for 2018, Chris Smith emphasised that the Academy’s takes a long-term view of development. He told the girls that if they want to improve and possibly play in the AFLW in the future, the key is to practice on their own and handle the football as often as possible.
“The most pleasing thing about our first intake in the Youth Girls program was their athleticism and their willingness to be coached,’’ Smith said.
“Our overall priority has been to teach the fundamental skills of kicking, handball and marking, the same as we do in the Youth Boys program.
“At this stage we prioritise skill development over anything else. Teaching game plans and more sophisticated ball movement will come later when they can execute their skills consistently, which also mirrors what we do with the boys.’’
All 130 girls will stay in the program until they are at least 15. A new U12 group will be added in 2019, and they will be selected through open assessment trials next month.
Smith said the inaugural Youth Girls program had exceeded expectations.
“It’s been a fantastic first season for the Youth Girls, and we’re looking forward to building on the program next year.
“We want to thank all the girls, and their parents, for their enthusiasm and commitment over the past three months.’’
The Sydney Swans Academy would like to thank QBE and the Sydney Swans Foundation for their generous support of the Youth Girls program.
Academy Cup U12 winners
Red team
From back left – Amalin Griffiths, Isobel Eshuys, Elyse Burke, Tara Thorne, Charlotte Watton, Eleanor Smith, Mackenzie Pfeiffer, Lauren Bull
Front row, from left – Lily Dorahy, Lily Cyron, Sienna Julian, Olivia Miller, Claudia Stanford
Academy Cup U13 winners
Yellow team
Back row, from left – Imogen Brown, Audrey Plumridge, Kendra Blattman, Mia Wilson, Jessica McIntyre, Sienna Perdis, Briena Connon
Front row, from left – Lorien Wong, Madison Stone, Amber Moore, Maeve McAllister, Poppy Gibson, Marnie Robinson
