The 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships – U16 Girls will get underway this weekend.

Ten teams will take part in the Championships, competing across two pools. Each team will play two matches, with games scheduled in five states from Sunday, April 6 to Thursday, April 17.

The QBE Sydney Swans Academy will compete in Pool B, against the GWS Giants Academy, Northern Territory, and Tasmania.

The Swans will play two matches at Blacktown with a clash against Tasmania on Monday, April 14 and the Northern Territory on Thursday, April 17. Both games will commence at 12pm.

The side played three games against GWS and Gold Coast Academies in the AFL Summer Series in March.

U16 Girls Academy Head Coach Bronwyn Gulden said the side's team-first attitude had stood out early. 

"Our first three games have been successful on the scoreboard which is really pleasing however, those results have been the outcome of some very good team play and everyone in the squad learning and understanding the value we place on playing a role within the team," Gulden said.

"We have relied on great structure and effort over individual brilliance and for the girls to implement and celebrate that so quickly has been the most exciting thing we have seen so far."

Gulden said the upcoming National Championships was an excellent opportunity to be challenged by two unfamiliar teams.

"We commenced this season with development a key focus, in both fundamental skills and game sense acquisition, and that will remain heading into our games against Tasmania and the NT," Gulden said.

"This squad has exceeded our expectations so far with their ability to play a role within the team and their intent to execute our style of footy which shows great maturity and understanding, they have been extremely coachable and that has been obvious with how they have played each game so far.

"The remaining two games will be an excellent opportunity for them to continue this trajectory against unfamiliar opposition who are traditionally quite strong but very different in their game styles, the challenge for our girls will be to adapt accordingly whilst still playing our brand of footy."

Gulden said the strength of the whole squad had been an asset this season, with several players catching her eye.

"Emma McCallum and Bella Evans have been keys in the ruck and off half back, both with very good skills, athletic ability and aerial presence," Gulden said. 

"Annaliese Crawley has led from the midfield and across half back with her leadership, footy smarts and contested ball work, we also have Emily Hollingsworth and Lily Davidson who are both still eligible for U15 football but are showing a level of football class and ability above their age and have been starring within our squad."

All matches will be live streamed on the AFL Play YouTube channel here.