The Academy’s operations manager, Chris Smith, said the Club was pleased with the number of boys who had registered so far, but would love to have more.
“There is no limit on the number of boys who can register, as long as they are in the right age brackets, so we urge young sportsmen to sign up before it’s too late for our first trials, which will be held in the April school holidays,’’ Smith said.
He said previous junior AFL experience is not a pre-requisite for players who want to try out for the Academy, which is being set up to offer junior coaching programs in a professional environment.
“We want boys who love sport, and that means any sport, to come and try out. The trials will involve a range of fun, athletic activities, so anyone can give it a go,’’ Smith said.
The Sydney Swans are inviting boys born between 1/1/1998 and 31/12/2001 to register for trial days for the Club’s new Junior Academy. The Academy is one of the most exciting initiatives in the Club’s history. It will allow the Swans to coach and develop boys aged between 9 and 18, with the hope that they may one day wear the red and white.??
The Academy is open to all boys with a passion for sport, and previous junior AFL experience is NOT a pre-requisite. ??
Registration is now open for the Academy’s first selection days, which will be held in April 2010 - U9’s on April 6; U10s on April 7; U11’s on April 8; and U12s on April 9.??All trials will be held at Lakeside Oval, opposite the SCG in Driver Ave, Moore Park.
The try-outs will involve fun, athletic activities and will not be AFL-specific.??
If you have a passion for playing sport and want to train in a professional sporting environment with expert development coaches, click here to register.
Please note that registrations close on 25 March, 2010, for the Junior Academy trial days.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS - HOW THE TRIALS WORK
Junior Academy trials
Phase 1:
The junior academy trials for age groups 9-12 commence in the April school holidays.
Under 9s - Tuesday April 6
Under 10s - Wednesday April 7
Under 11s - Thursday April 8
Under 12s - Friday April 9
Phase 2:
After the holiday trials, 60 boys from each age group will be invited to attend an advanced assessment which will be conducted over 4 weeks, starting May 4, at the SCG.
Each age group will attend one session per week, to be conducted between 5:00pm and 6:30pm weekdays.
Under 9s - May 4, 11, 18, June 1 (Tuesdays)
Under 10s - May 5, 12, 19, June 2 (Wednesdays)
Under 11s - May 6, 13, 20, June 3 (Thursdays)
Under 12s - May 7, 14, 21, June 4 (Fridays)
Phase 3:
By mid June, each age group will be split into two groups of 30.
One group will be invited to participate in an advanced development program conducted at the SCG over 12 weeks during the months of June, August, September, October and November (there will be no sessions scheduled between July 2 and August 24).
Under 9s - Tuesdays
Under 10s - Wednesdays
Under 11s - Thursdays
Under 12s - Fridays
(Times and dates yet to be confirmed)
The other group will be invited to participate in a regional Academy program which will be conducted on Monday nights from 5:30 - 7:00pm.
Note:
1. Those players who are unable to attend the initial junior Academy trials in April will have an opportunity to join the regional academy program for juniors, commencing June 21 (registrations will be open June 1).
2. At the completion of the 2010 junior Academy program, groups aged 9, 10 and 11 can re-register for the 2011 junior Academy program, which will be conducted in January (same selection process as April 2010 trials).
