The QBE Sydney Swans Academy U16 girls have claimed the 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships- U16 Female (Pool B) after being undefeated this week in their National Championship fixtures.
The team defeated Tasmania by 34 points and Northern Territory by 54 points this week in games held at Blacktown to win the title.
The title topped off a successful 2025 with the team winning all five of their official fixtures for the Academy season with a win over GWS in the AFL Summer Series and a win over Gold Coast and GWS in the Northern Academy series played earlier in the year.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy U16 Coach Coach Bron Gulden said she was incredibly proud of her players for their efforts this season.
"I am very proud of a talented group of young girls who continued with their great form finishing as the U16 Champions," Gulden said.
"Their ability to react to differences each game whilst trusting our brand and method of playing showed real maturity. Paramount to the success was the distribution of talent across the whole squad, their belief in each other and willingness to play team footy."
MVP for the team was the versatile Emma McCallum who had a consistent campaign playing ruck and forward. McCallum, who joined the QBE Academy last season through the Talent ID program, showcased her athleticism, contested work, clean skills and work rate through the U16 campaign.
U16 National Development Championships- U16 Female (Pool B)
Game 1
SYD 8.15.63
TAS 4.5.29
Best: Emily Hollingsworth, Bella Evans, Emma McCallum, Gen Hynes, Lil Davidson and Ash L'Estrange.
Goals: Skene 2, Hollingsworth 2, Hynes, Tyack, Loebel, Burge
Game 2:
SYD 12.4.76
NT 3.4.22
Best: Emma McCallum, Emily Hollingsworth, Bella Evans, Lil Davidson, Gen Hynes and Anna Crawley
Goals: Gale 3, Hollingsworth 3, James 2, McCallum 2, Hynes, Loebel
