The Sydney Swans return to pre-season training for 2023 was made all the more special as they enjoyed their first official day at the new Sydney Swans HQ at the Royal Hall of Industries. 

The world-class facility has been an aspiration for the club since their arrival to Sydney nearly 41 years ago - and is a project that that has been a decade in the making.

It will act as a new home for the men's and women's programs, over 700 boys and girls engaged in QBE Sydney Swans Academy, football and commercial staff, and also serve as a community hub for more than 50,000 members and one million fans of the club.

Coach John Longmire spoke of the excitement amongst player's and staff as they began preparations for the upcoming season at the Royal Hall of Industries.

"it's fantastic. It has been a long, long time in the making, and so many people have been involved in this so to be able to walk in here on our first day back for 2023 pre-season and start off here in our new facility - we feel really privileged and grateful," he said.

"The club has grown so quickly over the last few years, particularly with our AFLW program on top of our (QBE Sydney Swans) Academy program. To have everyone under one roof and have everyone able to interact together, collaborate together and work together  is really exciting, and we can't wait until everyone returns.

While the club is relishing the opportunity to work in an elite facility, Longmire insisted that the club are not resting on their laurels and emphasized the importance of hard work ahead of their new campaign.

"Andrew Pridham, Andrew Ireland and Richard Colless - there's so many people that have dug deep and are great Sydney Swans people. We are so grateful that they have given us an opportunity to work in this space.

"(But while) this is a wonderful facility and we feel very grateful to be here, this alone is not going to do it for us. We need to get to work.

"We spoke to the players about it - we still have to sweat, and we have to get to work.

"The environment is a great environment to work in, but we know there are 17 other teams that are going to be really competitive."

Star forward Tom papley echoed the sentiments of his coach, and declared the playing group have bought into the club's relentless drive for success for 2023.

"It's pretty amazing walking in here - you don't realise how big it is. We had a great day on the track and then had a lot of fun coming back in here for another session,' he said.

"But we know it doesn't just happen because a lot of people have worked behind the scenes to get us here. Now we have to work even harder than we have for that ultimate success.

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