The Sydney Swans have reaffirmed their commitment to having an AFLW team in a letter to the AFL this week.
Applications close this week for clubs who do not have an AFLW team to make a submission for a licence from 2019.
In the letter, to AFL General Manager Football Operations Simon Lethlean, the Swans said:
“From the outset, we confirm that we are absolutely committed to a Sydney Swans AFLW team and see this as a key component in our future strategy to continue to grow our club and the game in the Sydney market.
“However as discussed, in a timing sense 2019 will be premature for our club as we will not have been able to address the facilities shortcomings which prevented us making application for a team in the inaugural AFLW season.”
As part of the AFLW tender process last year, the Sydney Swans completed a detailed analysis of the financial, logistical, operational and welfare requirements for a potential Sydney Swans AFLW team.
Regretfully, the Club concluded it did not have the facilities required to support a team and enable it to operate in an elite performance-driven environment. Further challenges presented in the absence of an AFL-standard match-day venue close to the SCG, as well as a limited local talent pool of players.
To address the issue of talent, the Swans have announced the establishment of a Sydney Swans Youth Girls Academy. The Academy will commence at the under 12/13 age group in 2018, and then add an age group progressively in each of the next five years, providing a pathway to develop elite local talent.
Sydney Swans CEO and Managing Director Andrew Ireland said he’s confident that with the Academy and a new facility the Swans will be well-placed to field a women’s team.
“We’ve written to the AFL to say that our facilities and a ground in the eastern suburbs won’t be ready for 2019, but we do want to apply for a licence, and we’re hopeful we will be in a place to do that from 2020 – we think that we can achieve our new facilities and ground in that timeframe,” Ireland said.
“We’re really keen to have a licence and a facility is the only thing that’s stopping us.
“Our Youth Girls Academy will also assist as we believe the best way to build a really strong AFLW team is to take it from grassroots right through. We’re hoping it all dovetails together with the Academy operating for girls and an application for an AFLW licence from 2020 onwards.”
With the launch of a Youth Girls Academy in 2018, we are currently taking Open Athlete Assessment Trial registrations for girls aged 11-12 years. For more information or to apply click here.
