The QBE Sydney Swans Academy Program was established in 2010 and provides a high-level junior development program that plays a leading role in building and maintaining a strong AFL culture in NSW.

Our program is nurturing the development of over 700 athletes aged 11 to 19 from all across the Sydney Swans Region. View the full list of QBE Sydney Swans Academy Graduates.

The Academy has approximately 80 coaches and strength & conditioning staff who train players at ten locations in NSW including Sydney City, North Sydney, South Sydney, Northern Beaches, Illawarra, Central Coast, Hunter, Gunnedah, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

The Academy program is made up of two parts:
- Top End Academy: Athletes in their Under 16 – 19 years
- Youth Academy: Athletes in their Under 11 – 15 years

Top End Academy Program

The Top End Academy program consists of four squads:

- Under 16 Female
- Under 16 Male
- Under 18 Female
- Under 18 Male

All squads train twice a week from mid-November through to July and play games against National Academy teams (GIANTS, Suns and Lions) as well as Talent League teams in Victoria.

Athletes will initially complete a ‘Benchmark’ training block from November - December. During this portion of the program, successful Talent ID and selected QBE Sydney Swans Academy Athletes participate in a four week training block to finalise squads, before heading into the Top End season in late January.

Yearly Fees for the Top End Program start from $925, including apparel, skills training, strength and conditioning training, high performance education sessions and all interstate travel costs (for selected athletes).

Gaining Entry in Top End Program

All positions in the Top End Program are invite only, noting the majority of our Top End Squads are made up of athletes who have progressed year on year through the Academy.

Youth Academy Program

The Youth Academy program runs for approximately 22 weeks from February to the end of August.

The program involves a mix of Monday and Wednesday training sessions in our eight locations. The training is a combination of fundamental skill sessions, specific squad training and Academy Cup match-play sessions at Tramway Oval.  These sessions provide players of all ages a mix of skill development, fitness training and high-level competition to help develop their football acumen.

Yearly Fees for the Youth Program start from $775, including apparel, Monday skills training, Wednesday Squad training, Academy Cup games, strength and conditioning training and high performance education sessions.

Gaining Entry in Youth Academy

Squads for our Youth Program are made up of both athletes who have progressed year on year through the Academy and successful athletes from the Open Assessment Trial.

Open Athlete Assessment Trials: Under 10 - Under 13

For further opportunity to gain entry, each year in the months of August and September, the QBE Sydney Swans Academy conducts Open Athlete Assessment Trials for players looking to gain a spot in the Youth Academy the following year.

Youth Boy Sessions are for male participants who are in the Under 10 - Under 13 age groups. Successful participants from the trials will enter the Academy the following year.

Youth Girl Sessions are for female participants who are in the Under 11 - Under 13 age groups. Successful participants from the trials will enter the Academy the following year.

Athletes who have not reached the minimum age and do not reside in the Academy Region are not eligible to trial.

Please follow the Academy News page and on social media via Instagram and Facebook for dates and booking links.

Talent Assessment Trials: Under 14 - Under 15

The Academy holds Talent Assessment trials for athletes who successfully apply to trial in the Under 14 and Under 15 age groups.

Athletes are asked to submit an application listing their sporting achievements to the Academy via the link on the Academy News page.

Successful applicants are then invited to our Talent Assessment trials which involve a range of AFL skills, athletic testing and small sided games.