The Sydney Swans AFLW team spent two days engaging with the local community in the Coffs Harbour region for their AFLW Community Camp.
Day One
Straight off the plane, the team hit the gym and stopped for a snap at the big banana before visiting local schools to help run clinics, do some Q and A sessions, and inspire the next generation of AFLW stars.
Speaking to the media at a local school, defender Sarah Steele-Park said getting out into the community to meet young aspiring AFLW players was what she had been looking forward to most.
"This is my favourite part, as a teacher interacting with the little kids and seeing the smiles and how excited they are, that's the best bit," Steele Park said.
"We have a clinic tomorrow at a camp with girls, and so it's just so exciting to see the little girls involved with AFL, they will be the future."
Steele-Park said the camp was the perfect preparation to get a feel for the ground, as well as build a connection with the locals.
"We have some game simulation tomorrow at the Oval here that we'll play in Round 12, which is super important just to gain a feel for the environment, but also to engage with the community here," Steele Park said.
"We want to start meeting people at the grassroots level, it's super important to get them involved and have our fans, it's exciting for us to meet them, and you remember why you started and who you started for and give back to a community that gives a lot to us.
"We're very lucky to be here at these schools and experience Coffs Harbour, we've got surfing, there's golf later, they're giving a lot to us and so we want to give a lot back."
Day Two
The team kicked off day two with a sunrise walk and yoga at the hotel.
Lara Hausegger, Zippy Fish and Sarah Steele Park visited the Harry Bailey Memorial Library to read stories to local children.
A gruelling training session awaited the side at C.ex International Stadium, with the team put through their paces in match simulation training.
The team will be returning to Coffs Harbour later in the year for their Round 12 match against Essendon.
The Swans will host the Bombers at C.ex Coffs International Stadium between October 31 and November 2, with the fixture to be confirmed by the AFL at a later date.
The match simulation allowed the team to get familiar with the ground in preparation for the match.
Sydney 2005 premiership hero, Sean Dempster, paid a visit to the team with his two daughters.
The past player recently moved to the Coffs region with his family, and his daughters watched training, met the players and participated in the junior clinic.
The camp culminated in a junior clinic in the afternoon, the team participating in a signing session and taking local kids through a range of games and drills.
Swans fans living in Coffs Harbour or those visiting the region can support the team and get the most out of game day with an AFLW Coffs Membership.
You’ll get access to a grandstand ticket to our game at C/ex Coffs International Stadium, access to any of our other Sydney Swans AFLW home and away games, an AFLW gift AND you’ll be part of the Guard of Honour at our Coffs Harbour game.
Memberships available here.
