Kids from all around Sydney packed ovals at their local club, as they laughed, kicked Sherrins and had a fun time chatting to their favourite Swans players.
Jude Bolton and Jared Crouch joined the Newtown Swans where players, parents and coaches enjoyed the opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars.
Newtown Swans Club Secretary Geoff Barnett said it was a great chance for the kids to catch up with their friends from last year.
“I personally think one of the best days of the year is the first day of the season,” Barnett said.
“When the kids turn up there’s always excitement, you get the new kids, there’s lots of hesitation, but just seeing them running around it’s great.
“They all seem to enjoy themselves from day one. I’ve been talking to some parents who are saying their children haven’t been able to wait this long, they’ve been going nuts. ‘When does football start? When does football start?’”
Bolton tries to get back to the club as often as possible and assists with training sessions.
Bolton can see the potential for another Newtown Swan to be running around in the AFL in the near future.
“A couple of the older kids are coming along really well,” Bolton said.
“Just as long as they are getting into the game early and practicing their skills, there are some good coaches down here to help them along, so they’ve just got to make sure they listen to their coaches and then they go from there.”
For the parents, they can tell how much it means to their children to meet their idols, simply by looking at the smiles on their kids faces.
John Scott was one parent who thoroughly enjoyed the activities.
“I think it’s just great support, it shows the kids where they can go and gives them a bit of an insight into the AFL,” Scott said.
“You get a lot of talk around the school that the Swannies are coming down and other kids turn up and hopefully get out and have a kick and get involved.”
