There’s always been red and white in Olivia Cameron’s blood.

The 18-year old played Auskick for the Mosman Swans when she was just three years old, her brothers play and her father, Matthew, was an integral part of the Sydney Swans physiotherapy and injury prevention team at the for 26 years including during the 2005 and 2012 premiership triumphs.

And now it is Olivia’s turn to add some more history to the relationship between the Cameron family and the Sydney Swans.

The Northern Beaches local is one of many talented players taking part in the AFLW Summer Series, Olivia playing for the Swans White team after taking up the game six years ago.

“There was a real buzz for women’s footy around 2016-17 and a lot of girls were saying they loved it which ultimately encouraged me to join and I immediately loved the game when I did,” Cameron said.

Since her introduction to the game, Cameron’s talent has been evident and she has racked up a healthy representation history including the Sydney North Academy which paved the way for her selection in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

“The Sydney North Academy was extremely valuable as it has given me the opportunity to better my skills and understanding of the game, especially the fundamentals such as a the one-hand ball drop,” Cameron said.

“It ultimately gave me the opportunity to be a part of the QBE Swans Academy which really inspired all us girls to take footy to the next level and develop.”

The half-backer has been playing locally for the Manly Bombers for her junior football but is this year moving to senior football with the Manly Wolves, the same club her twin brother plays for.

“It’s great to have someone to kick with and I can teach him a few things too,” Cameron said with a laugh.

“I’m really keen to get stuck into it with the Wolves as their culture and playing level is that next step up.”

Cameron is also a talented netballer, playing since she was nine years old, but has stopped this year to focus on football.

She said she loves the energy in football, particularly the physical aspect of the game.

“All the girls are always really keen and physical which creates such an engaging and hard game. I also love the versatile nature of footy and how you kick, hand-pass and get to tackle and put your body on, which you never got to legally do in netball,” Cameron said.

“Getting to really impact the game through those different skills and through that physical aspect of footy is what makes it such a great game. It’s where the academies and development squads are really elevating the level of footy played in Sydney which is exciting to see and be involved with.”

Cameron played in the inaugural AFLW Summer Series match last week and while the Swans White team suffered a heavy defeat she was named by coach Bron Gulden as one of the players who impressed and Cameron said the young Swans side got much out of the encounter.

“Round one was a tough loss, but extremely valuable. Every quarter was a different season: dry one quarter and wet the next, which gave us all an insight to all types of footy and an experience where we all had to adapt and trust in what we prepared,” Cameron said.

“The GIANTS were a strong and structured side which provided that opportunity to put into practice our hard work and practice those second efforts and drive especially in our back line.

“I think we all acknowledged the importance of physicality and energy that has to be given at all times in a game. Despite not getting on top last week we are all really keen to get stuck in this week and play our game of footy and prove ourselves.”

Cameron is relishing being part of the Summer Series as the Swans scout talent from across the state as part of its list build for entry into the AFLW season in 2022/23.

“Being part of the Summer Series is an exciting and valuable experience and this new high level of footy is providing an opportunity to test and therefore develop our skills and understanding of the game,” Cameron said.

“That experience is what I’m keen to take on and to be able to continue to become a better player and team-mate for all levels of footy, which makes the game more challenging and dynamic and therefore enjoyable.”

Cameron is also enjoying the professional side of preparation for the series and is ensuring she is a sponge to all the information provided by the Swans coaches and staff.

“The preparation has been great,” Cameron said.

“Our coaches, strength and conditioning and other staff members have put 110% into preparing us both physically and mentally. I have really learned a lot from our coaches Bron (Gulden), Craig (Tidemann) and 'Huggies' (Kathryn Hull) and appreicate all the work they are putting into us to make us better players.

"We have all really pushed ourselves and each other to get fitter and stronger as well as put all our effort and passion into footy and play smarter and confidently individually and as a team.

“Throughout the preparation period I’ve really challenged myself and gained that elite mindset. Footy, while always fun, is now going to that next level and it’s challenging and there’s so much more to it than just the game with many things like nutrition and recovery.

“Our strength and conditioning coaches Jen McCourt and Steve Kelly and Swans dietician Elise Anderson have been amazing. Ultimately this preparation and hard work has made us a close team and we are all keen and ready to showcase that in these series.”

And as for the future aspirations? At this stage Cameron is just enjoying the experience and developing her game and off-the field she is just about to commence studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

As a Sydney-local she can see the importance of growing the game in NSW and upskilling as many athletes to a higher level and is relishing being part of a group being upskilled through a talent pathway.

“I think the opportunity for more women and girls to aspire to and be part of AFLW as well as the general growth of women’s footy is what excites me about the Swans AFLW team,” Cameron said.

“It’s a great game to be a part of and it’s exciting for girls to get more of a chance to play at that elite level and eventually get even greater interest and crowds than there already is.”

For all the details on Round 2 of the AFLW Summer Series including team lists and live stream link, click here.