Rising Sydney Swans midfielder James Bell has won the inaugural Lees Family Memorial Trophy in recognition of his blossoming talent.

The trophy, formerly known as the Cathy Lees Award, is presented to a promising young player towards the end of every pre-season.

The honour is now in its 22^nd year and is named in tribute to late Swans fan Cathy Lees, who found particular interest in the reserves but sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1998.

Friday saw members of the Lees family make the annual trip to the SCG to add Bell to a prestigious list of winners.

Brett Kirk and Tadhg Kennelly are among those to have been presented the honour since its 1998 inception, and Bell said it was highly special to win the award in light of the esteemed honour roll.

“I feel very honoured. They put up on the screen who had won previously and it’s great to be up on there as well,” Bell told SwansTV.

“It feels great to be up on the list with guys like Kirky and Tadhg now. To see their careers started with this award and to see how their careers finished up is what I’m aspiring to as well.”

Bell broke through for his AFL debut against Port Adelaide in Round 21 last year on the back of outstanding NEAFL form.

The New South Welshman averaged 19.3 touches and 5.6 tackles per match in the second-tier competition last year en route to claiming the Swans’ NEAFL Player of the Year award.

Barb Lees, a sister of Cathy, spoke of her appreciation for the long-lasting honour.

“We’re incredibly humbled that the club allows us into these walls to present this award,” Barb said.

“It means a lot to our family. Over the years I’ve wondered why they still let us do it, but having spoken to some of the boys and Brett Kirk, they’ve told us it actually means a lot to the club as well.

“We love being a part of the club.”