A host of students enjoyed an outing to savour at the SCG on Wednesday, taking up front-row seats to see the likes of Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney train.

The Sydney Swans ran a training session open to the public and 21 keen onlookers from St Edmund’s College soaked up every cherished moment.

St Edmund’s is a years 7-12 co-educational special high school for students with a wide range of disabilities, including down syndrome, mild cerebral palsy and autism.

Teacher Dan Parkinson said the students were rapt to see the Swans train.

“It means a lot to the kids,” Parkinson said.

“It gives them a conceptual idea of what happens behind the scenes, how footballers work, how they go about their business as a full-time job.

“They get to meet them, shake their hand, see them smile, see how big and tall they are and they get really excited. They’re over the moon to be here.”

Parkinson says events like the open training session show the students everyone is welcome.

“We’re trying to get inclusivity into all sports around Australia,” Parkinson said.

“The AFL certainly has one of the best models with schools and communities and this is an example of that. It’s a fantastic initiative at the SCG today.”