Sydney Swans AFLW recruit Jas Grierson says the side’s upcoming community camp at Coffs Harbour is a fantastic opportunity to spread the word of Aussie Rules in regional NSW.
The team will head to the Coffs Harbour region on Friday for a weekend of community engagement, including school visits, training and a junior clinic.
“Everyone's super excited, especially for some sunny weather up there,” Grierson said.
“I think that we've got some school visits, some surfing on the Saturday and open training session with some of the local leagues up there.
“I think the girls are super keen on just getting out there and meeting all the locals, it’s super important, I think a lot of our team aren't from Sydney and in the city, so I think, yeah, as far and wide as we can spread AFL, it just gets everyone involved.”
For the new Swan, it will also be a valuable opportunity to bond with her new teammates ahead of the season commencing in August.
Grierson said she had settled into the red and white well and was looking forward to bonding with the team at the camp.
“It's our first away trip and on away trips, there's lots of inside jokes, games and trivia and things, so I think it's really great opportunity to bond.
“It's a really good vibe so far and especially heading into practice matches, it always ramps up a bit which is exciting.
“I'm really loving it, it's been a fresh start on my nine seasons of playing, so it's been super exciting.”
Grierson will enter her tenth AFLW season in 2025, one of only three Swans who have played in the league since its inception.
She had stints at Melbourne, North Melbourne and GWS before signing with the Swans as a delisted free agent at the end of the 2024 season.
The 26-year-old reunited with senior coach Scott Gowans at the Swans after he coached her in the Dandenong Stingrays U17 program and at North Melbourne, where Gowans was head coach in 2019 and 2020.
Grierson said she was enjoying being a leader at her new club and was hoping to put in a consistent performance in 2025.
“I’d just love some extra consistency on the park, like just get some games up as well,” Grierson said.
“I've really loved being involved in this group and especially as a bit more of a leader as well, just helping those young girls along.
“I really love how Scott and the coaches actually teaches our games, so it's been great fun being back with him.”
See how you can meet the team and get involved at the Sydney Swans Community Camp this weekend. Please note that session times are subject to change.
Library story time
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 10am to 10.30am
Location: Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place
Open training
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 11.30am -1.30pm
Location: C.ex Coffs International Stadium
Girls and boys junior clinic
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 2.30-3.30pm
Location: C.ex Coffs International Stadium
Girls in Green: Introduction to umpiring
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 1-2pm
Location: C.ex Coffs International Stadium
Girls Only Holiday Program
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
Location: C.ex Coffs International Stadium Precinct
Register here for ages 4-7, and register here for ages 8-12
Coach Your Way Rookie Program
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 11.30am-1pm
Location: C.ex Coffs International Stadium
