More than 200 budding young stars have had their first taste of football on the SCG, during the QBE Sydney Swans Academy Showdowns.
 
The round robin-style showdowns were the first opportunity players from the north academies, south academies and city academies have had to test themselves against fellow academy players.
 
Age groups from under 11, through to under 14 had the rare opportunity to battle it out, under lights at the SCG. 
 
QBE Sydney Swans Academy Talent Identification Manager Chris Smith said the Showdowns were an important part of the development process for the Academies young talent.
 
“All these players have concluded their second term of the Academy program and it is the first opportunity they have had to test themselves  against other talented players from the Academy,” Smith said.
 
“You just see the looks on the boy’s faces and it’s clear this is a huge thrill for them.
 
“Seeing the best kids play the best kids is really valuable, for both coaches and the players and I have been really impressed with the standard,” he said.
 
Smith said the Showdowns would be a launching pad for the Academy Cup competition, which will be introduced from next season.
 
During the 2012 season, a regular series of Academy Cup matches for under 13 through to under 15 players, will be played every Friday night under lights at Lakeside Oval.

“To play in elevated environments is really important. You see the intensity step up and they need to make decisions so much quicker,” Smith explained.
 
“Usually young players are only exposed to that elevated environment during representative carnivals once or twice a year, and that is why we want to increase that exposure and really accelerate their development.  
 
“The Academy Cup will allow to us to really tailor the development of each player and gives us the opportunity to develop particular game styles,” Smith said.

Images taken from the two QBE Sydney Swans Academy Showdown nights at the SCG are below...