The Sydney Swans wrapped up their three-day Central Coast community camp on Thursday after almost 20,000 locals had seen their heroes up close.

Swans star Paul Bevan, who originates from the area, said the camp had been a huge success as Swans players not only trained together but fanned out in groups to spread the AFL message to the locals.

"We went around to 19,000 kids yesterday, obviously we spread out, but we visited schools, did clinics -- I even went to Gosford Hospital," he said.

"To put a smile on their faces was good. It's good to come home, and I think Aussie Rules is slowly pegging away up here.

"Coming up here sort of breaks up the year; hopefully it can be a second home."

The Central Coast is just over an hour north of Sydney and includes the scenic beachside suburb of Terrigal where the Swans were based.

It's an area that not only produced Bevan but also club champion Jarrad McVeigh. And just up the F3 is Nelson Bay, the beachside suburb that spawned talented young Swan Craig Bird - a recent winner along with Kieren Jack of the club's young player of the year award. 

"It's been outstanding," added Swans coach Paul Roos.

"I'd like to thank everyone up here. We've had a great time with the forums and the clinics. To train on a stadium like this (Bluetongue Stadium) even though it's not full size has been fantastic. A great experience.

"And it's good to get away from Sydney. Sometimes the guys can get a little bored with the same environment over and over again. We couldn't have hoped to have come to a better place."

The Swans began today with a training session at Bluetongue stadium in Gosford, the home of local A-League soccer club Central Coast Mariners. It was open to the public and a good number turned up to see the players.

After an intense 90 minute session that included stoppage work and fitness and skills-based exercises, the players and Roos met Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna and some of his players.

The Swans even had a kick of the round ball as the Mariners got to grips with the Sherrin.

New signing Rhyce Shaw, Nick Malceski and youngster Ed Barlow all showed fine soccer skills as the two sets of players mingled on the pitch at the end of the session.

The Swans finished off today's training with a lively beach session in front of the Terrigal Surf Lifesaving Club. The players were split into teams for paddle boat races and 100m sprints.

The winning team was the "O-Meredith" grouping of Brett Meredith, Jude Bolton, Nathan Gordon, Matt Laidlaw, Daniel O'Keefe, Rhyce Shaw, Jesse White, Leo Barry, Marty Mattner, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and newcomer Dan Hannebery.

"It's been a great way to finish the camp," said elite performance manager Rob Spurs.

"Four weeks into pre-season this was a recovery week but as you saw today, they still worked hard while enjoying the sea, surf and sand."