The QBE Sydney Swans Academy has begun its summer program with a three kilometre time trial which featured impressive performances from a number of young Academy athletes.

More than 50 boys in the QBE Academy’s Under 15 squad, and around 15 in the Academy’s Under 18 squad, competed in the 3km trial around Centennial Park.

The boys have just started a seven week summer program as they vie for places in the Academy’s 2012 program.

Talent identification and operations manager for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Chris Smith, said the boys would be assessed on a range of criteria over the program, including the 3km time trial.

“We were very impressed with the running standard, particularly among the 15 year olds,’’ Smith said.

“While running is only one aspect of what the boys will be assessed on, being able to run well is a really important part of AFL football today.

“More than a dozen of the boys ran sub-11 minutes on a cross country track, and all the boys will have the chance to improve over the seven weeks of the Academy’s summer program.’’

Watched by QBE Academy head coach Paul Roos, the standouts in the Under 15 group included Oscar Osborne, who plays footy with the Glebe Greyhounds, twins Harry and Tom Dobson from Kiama on the south coast of NSW, Joel Bottin-Noonan from Wollondilly, and Jordan Foote from the Maroubra Saints football club.

Smith said special mention should also be made of Callum Mills, an Under 14 Academy member who voluntarily participated in the 3km time trial and came in fifth overall in the Under 15 group.

In the Under 18 age group Dylan Roos and Jarl Walker were the strongest performers in the time trial.

There are currently around 70 boys in the Academy’s Under 15 squad, from as far afield as the north coast of New South Wales to Kiama on the south coast.

During the summer program they are trying out for around 40 places in next year’s Under 16 squad. The program involves two sessions a week.

“This is the first time we’ve had to select a squad of boys to progress from an existing Academy group,’’ Smith said.

“While running is one criteria they’ll be judged on, we also look very closely at their skill level. But the most important criteria is their attitude and their level of commitment to the program and to playing football.

“When we get to Under 16 level we expect a higher standard of discipline, application and behaviour.’’

The 2012 Under 16 Academy squad will participate in state and national AFL championships, and also play games against Academy squads from the GWS Giants, Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions.

Next year the boys will participate in regular Academy games at Lakeside Oval, opposite the SCG, now that lights have been provided with the assistance of the Sydney Swans Foundation.

Overall more than 400 boys have participated in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy program in 2011, which involves high-level training and coaching.

If boys are talented enough, they can be drafted directly from the Academy to the Sydney Swans playing list when they are of eligible draft age (generally the year they turn 18).