The search for the next crop of AFL stars will begin in July when the QBE Sydney Swans Academy hosts their annual Open Athlete Assessment Trials at Lakeside Oval.

Held from July 16-18, the trials are open to boys in the under-10, under-11 and under-12 age groups, and are the main avenues for young hopefuls looking to join the Swans Academy.

Swans Academy Talent and Operations Manager, Chris Smith, said the trials are designed to discover boys with athletic ability and an enthusiasm for sport rather than just those with AFL-specific skills.

“We welcome boys from all sports,” Smith said.

“The trials aren’t AFL specific, but they test coordination, balance, hand-eye coordination and a few game-specific skills related to basketball, rugby, and then also some AFL skills such as kicking and handballing.

“Not only are we looking for athletic ability, we are also looking for boys who have a keen attitude and are enthusiastic about their sport.

“We’re looking for the peer leaders at their respective schools and boys who show leadership qualities.”

While roughly 20 per cent of boys tested will advance to the second stage of the program, Smith said the Academy has structures in place to ensure boys who miss out at this year’s trials will be considered again in the future.

“The intake allows for kids to develop at different rates, so we don’t fill up our quota to ensure that those boys who develop rapidly between 10-14 years of age can come into the Academy,” he said.

“There is a huge discrepancy between a boy at 10 years of age and a boy at 12 or 13, and this is something we consider when taking in boys each year.”

Swans Academy Head Coach and club great Michael O’Loughlin will be in attendance at this year’s trials, as well as Swans star forward Kurt Tippett.

Smith said the trials are one of the most exciting events on the Swans Academy calendar, with up to 500 boys expected to attend.

“It is a fun night, it is an active night and it’s an action-packed night,” he said.

“It’s a great spectacle under lights at Lakeside Oval and we’re expecting roughly 450-500 boys to attend over the three days.”

Boys selected in this year’s trials will be registered with the Swans Academy until they are 15 years of age before needing to face another assessment.

QBE Sydney Swans Academy: Open Athlete Assessment Day
Where: Lakeside Oval, Driver Ave, Moore Park
Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Under 10 (born in 2004)
Wednesday, July 16

Under 11 (born in 2003)
Thursday, July 17

Under 12 (born in 2002)
Friday, July 18

Registrations: Close Monday, July 7 at 5pm

For further information and details on how to register, click on the following link - http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/academy/how-do-i-join-the-academy