James Bell's hard work and tenacious character are two strong factors that helped him live out his dream of playing in the AFL, but he has selflessly paid tribute to the life lessons he was taught at the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.
Presented with a rather life-changing decision when he was just 16, Bell was playing both soccer and AFL but knew he had to determine which path he would like to take. Being part of the Academy, and having made the National U16s side, Bell decided to pursue a career with the Swans.
The rest is history.
"My football journey started when I was about 12 or 13. I was just playing soccer at the time and my sister played junior AFL at Shellharbour. On day, I was just at the ground at half-time and my parents came up to me and asked if I wanted to have a go," he said.
"Then it really started from there and I made a few rep sides in the South Coast, and then the QBE Sydney Swans Academy picked me up.
"I was doing that for a few years and playing soccer at the same time, and then when I made the Nationals U16s side, I made the decision to stick with AFL and go through the (QBE Sydney Swans) Academy."
After being drafted by the Swans in 2017, Bell quickly showed promise with blistering from in the VFL (nee-NEAFL) competition and was s deserved winner of the Player of the Year Award in 2019.
That same season, he earned his senior debut against Port Adelaide in Round 21 - kicking his first career goal and celebrating with a special Indigenous dance.
While his talent and persistence paved the way for a successful transition into the AFL, Bell admits that the QBE Sydney Swans Academy helped drive higher standards and taught him to be a true professional.
"At the start, I didn't take it as serious as what everyone else was. I was just having fun at the time and then when I was 16 - that's when it really ramped up with professionalism," he said.
"It was just the little things like being on time and being in the right places. I thought I was pretty good at that (initially) but I had a whole new look at things when i was 16.
"One thing that I felt always got me a long way was being respectful.
"I think off the field, I was always respectful of whoever I met, and then that helped me build new relationships with people."
Bell praises Chris Smith (General Manager - QBE Sydney Swans Academy) for helping helping him move to Sydney and ensuring his life away from football was of the utmost importance, while also paying tribute to Michael O'Loughlin for welcoming him to the Swans family with open arms.
Smith assisted Bell in gaining a job at the SCG as a groundsperson.
"'Mickey O' (O'Loughlin), right from the get-go (was a huge influence). When I went to my first session down at Shellharbour, he drove all the way down to meet me and my mum and dad.
"Also, Chris Smith got me up to school in Sydney and he got me a traineeship.
"'Smithy' was pretty hard on me but i Was grateful he was like that towards me because he was brutally honest.
As for offering advice to those who to aspire to play in the AFL, Bell says it's important to remain determined even at times when it seems too hard.
"I think just as hard as it might seem, it might be easy to think it's too hard now, but you have to look long term and stick at it," he said.
"Then there's more of a chance that it will pay off."
