For the past 25 years, in early March you'd find Jared Crouch on a football field in Sydney preparing for the season ahead with his trademark intense focus.

Drafted from South Australia in 1995 at the age of 17, he played for the Swans for 14 years and notched up 223 games, including the 2005 Premiership.

After retiring in 2009, he became a key part of Sydney’s coaching group, both with the seniors and then as the longest-serving Head Coach of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

But last week, Crouchy – as he's affectionately known to one and all – was in New York City, thousands of kilometres away from his usual habitat at the SCG.

"I'm here playing the bag carrier and chaperone for my wife while she goes to meetings in Chicago and New York,'' he laughed.

Last month Crouch resigned from the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, ready to start the next chapter of his life. First up, it's more family time. "My wife Beck has supported me for 25 years during my playing and coaching careers, so now it's my turn to support her,'' he said.

"And I've got three boys aged nine, seven and five, so I want to spend more time with them and put my main emphasis on being a father.''

Not that he's given up coaching altogether. "I've put my hand up to coach the Forest Lions Under 8s and Under 9s!''

The kids are sure to benefit because Crouch never does anything by halves.

As a player he was a fierce, relentless competitor; a fleet-footed defender with a team-first mindset that never wavered. Those are the characteristics and attitudes he instilled in the Academy players when he took on the Head Coach role six years ago.

Crouch has coached every Academy age group, but his focus on the Academy's Top End male and female teams led to a series of inspiring wins against the Giants Academy and more fancied Victorian under-age teams.

One of the most satisfying wins for Crouch and fellow Academy coach Nick Davis was when the Academy's female team beat the Geelong Falcons in a NAB League game last year.

"That was an incredible achievement for the girls, and among our top achievements as coaches. We can see the talent here in NSW, and it's about getting the players to believe that and execute,'' Crouch said.

"I'm proud of helping to make the Academy probably the most respected of all the junior development programs in the country.

"My aim was to give the boys and girls in our senior Academy teams the confidence to go onto the field with a winning mindset, to believe they could beat whoever we were playing.

"I wanted them to buy into our team brand of football, to play their role, compete and win their contest because that team success is what allows their individual talent to shine.''

During Crouch's time a number of players were drafted from the Academy to the Sydney Swans including Errol Gulden, Braeden Campbell, Nick Blakey, Sam Wicks, James Bell and Marc Sheather, while Luke Parks is at Carlton and Jess Doyle at the Giants AFLW.

While he's proud of those players, he's just as pleased at the progression of hundreds of other Academy boys and girls who've been able to reach their potential.

"We've had players go to play at a high level in Perth and to the SANFL in Adelaide. And players who've been through the Academy are really helping to lift the standard of the AFL Sydney competition. We've improved the quality of football in NSWs and helped players get to the best level they can.''

He admitted to a few heart twangs as he read about preparations for season 2022 at the Swans and the Academy, but Jared is looking forward to new adventures and knows the Academy is in good shape.

Academy Head Chris Smith said Crouchy had left a huge legacy.

"During his time the Academy has elevated its standing on the national stage,'' Smith said.

"Jared's key strength was combining the Academy's priority of skill development with the changes taking place in the modern game. His ability to educate young players on what is required to reach the elite level was second to none.

"His strong will, experience and knowledge helped so many young male and female players to develop and get the best out of themselves. He'll be sorely missed and we wish Crouchy all the best,'' Smith said.