Swans Academy

[Reggi]

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/s...0307-pqmq.html

Great initiative, but 10 years before we are likely to see a result. Although will really help marketing

Bit disturbing 9YOs signing to a club

[blinddog]

Thats how they do it in English soccer

[DST]

Not a lot different to the way things are done down here in Melbourne with each of the TAC Cup sides having development squads from under 12's up.

Only difference being is that these kids go into the pool for all clubs to draft, but we will have access to the kids in our academy.

From mu understanding it will be along the lines of the father and son rule where we can list our intentions to draft anyone from the academy and other clubs can lodge a draft selection to determine what draft pick we would use.

Also talk on the weekend of a super eastern seaboard reserves comp that would include the VFL sides, GWS, Sydney Swans, GC17 and Lions, which would be fantastic for our listed kids development.

DST

[AnnieH]

Also talk on the weekend of a super eastern seaboard reserves comp that would include the VFL sides, GWS, Sydney Swans, GC17 and Lions, which would be fantastic for our listed kids development.

DST

God I hope that's true. We're wasting our reserves in the ACT comp. That comp really doesn't help us at all.

[stellation]

I'm not over the moon of having under 9s included.

I wonder how the structure works out for kids that are old enough to be offered a NSW scholarship from another club but have been training as part of the Swans Academy; does it mean that Sydney would have first dibs on them and they'd be forced to sign with Sydney if the offer was made?

[liz]

I'm not over the moon of having under 9s included.

I wonder how the structure works out for kids that are old enough to be offered a NSW scholarship from another club but have been training as part of the Swans Academy; does it mean that Sydney would have first dibs on them and they'd be forced to sign with Sydney if the offer was made?

The scholarship scheme is about to end. Clubs can sign up new players this year but that's their last opportunity. So this, and the equivalent GWS academy will effectively replace the current scholarship scheme.