Fans have again gone above and beyond to support their teams during a second COVID-impacted season, and one Sydney Swans member has been recognised for her next-level passion in the the AFL Fans Association 2021 awards.

Sydney Swans member Sarah Bears took out the major award as the 2021 AFL Fan Association Fan of the Year and the Supporter Group of the Year was won by the Demon Army Ticketing Team. 

An exceptional footy fan and person, Sarah has been a lifelong fan of the Swans through her grandfather and a member for the past three seasons, introduced to the Cheer Squad by 25-year member Jan Lister.

In 2021, Sarah and her family have been unable to attend many games due to COVID and the Sydney lockdown, but the dedicated Swans Cheer Squad member, who lives in the Sydney suburb of Minto with her husband Mark and four children, spent the season bringing cheer to others.

Her children Aislinn, 18, Isla, 14, Declan, 11, and Callum, 10, also love footy. The boys have autism and enjoy supporting their club and attending games at the SCG. When they couldn’t go due to COVID, Sarah made banners for her family to run through and posted their fun online, much to the joy of fellow fans. 

“During 2020 I made banners for each round of the AFL fixture due to COVID-19,” Sarah said.

"If there was a theme like Pride Round, the slogan would be related to the theme. In 2021, we started making banners to encourage our team to win for those of us in Sydney stuck in lockdown.”

Sarah helps make the Swans’ run-throughs when they are playing in Sydney with crowds. She works hard to inspire her team and those around her. “I am always in the front row holding a flag," she said.

“My youngest son holds up a huge sign saying, ‘Tricky Hickey’ as that’s his favourite player.”

A special education teacher, Sarah uses footy in the classroom too.

“I have Swans gear in my classroom and my students all know the Swans club song and who my favourite players are,” she said.

“A close friend gave me enough Swans gear so that each student in my class had a Swans cap and scarf.”

Q&A with Sarah:

How long have you been a Swans fan?
Being the only NSW team when I was a child, it was the natural choice. My grandfather watched all sport, so footy was always on TV. As I got older, we would go to the Sydney Swans games back in the days where entry was free. Footy is something we do as a family. My youngest son and daughter are footy crazy like me and are diehard Swans supporters, however we watch all the AFL games every weekend on TV. The whole family has a Swans membership, and we attend every home game together.

How much enjoyment does your family get out of Swans games?
Both my sons have autism and I am a huge advocate for autism awareness. We are an autism family and footy is something we can do as a family. My oldest son doesn’t always cope with the loud noise at the football; however, he is still able to watch the game with noise cancelling headphones. This is how we came to be part of the cheer squad – he didn’t enjoy the experience of sitting in our member seats. The cheer squad seating area is alcohol free, less rowdy and has a family feel, and the kids could participate more in waving flags and floggers. The people in the cheer squad that we sit with are now people we consider family.

How do you incorporate footy into your classes?
I am a special education teacher in South-West Sydney, and I have a class with seven students. I absolutely love my job so much that it doesn’t feel like a job! I have Swans gear in my classroom and my students all know the Swans club song and who my favourite players are. A close friend gave me enough Swans gear so that each student in my class had a Swans cap and scarf. I also have a set of hats I keep in my class storeroom for the kids to wear when they go outside for PE and sport lessons.

How did your homemade banners come about?
During 2020 I made banners for each round of the AFL fixture due to COVID19. The slogans varied, so if there was a theme like Pride Round, the slogan would be related to the theme. The Swans had the highest number of injuries in the 2020 season so we had quite a few debutantes, therefore I would make a banner for all the debuts. This was very much a family affair, so we would also make banners for milestone games for players. In 2021, we started making banners to encourage our team to win for those of us in Sydney stuck in lockdown.

How involved are you in the cheer squad?
I attend banner making each week, and even give up a few days at the start of each year to make the banner shells. My youngest daughter also attends this with me. We are also on the banner ropes, holding the banners for each home game. For us it is an honour to serve our club. We were part of the Fight MND banner making this year at the SCG (when the Swans Cheer Squad volunteered to make a banner for the Collingwood-Melbourne game that was moved to Sydney), and I was interviewed by the AFL about what it meant to be part of the banner making and holding for this special round. In the cheer squad, I am always in the front row holding a flag. My youngest son holds up a huge sign saying “Tricky Hickey” as that’s his favourite player.

Why do you love the Swans so much?
It’s a way I can keep connected with my grandfather who passed 11 years ago, however it’s also a way I can pass his love of footy on to my kids. I love the club for the culture and inclusiveness it promotes. The club personnel are always delightful and willing to help, and they are so appreciative of the contributions the members make. I also love how much the players love the members and are always willing to have their photo taken with my kids or sign their hats. I also believe the culture the club promotes filters down to the members – I have made so many friends I now call family through this club, and we are a united front for our club and team.