THE inaugural member of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, 16-year-old Lloyd Perris, has been acknowledged by the AFL as one of the most promising young footballers in Australia.

Lloyd, who is also an AFL scholarship holder with the Swans, was yesterday named in the Australian Institute of Sport/AFL Academy, which was chosen after the recent Under 16 national championships.

Lloyd, who was spotted as a junior by the QBE Sydney Swans Academy talent identification manager, Chris Smith, was a dominant player for NSW and a standout amongst the second division sides in the national tournament.

He is the only NSW player named in the AIS/AFL Level One squad, which includes 30 boys from all over the country.

The AIS/AFL Academy program has a strong track record of developing youngsters who are picked up by AFL clubs when they are of draft age.

The Swans manager, player personnel, Kinnear Beatson, said Perris had progressed well in the past year at the Swans Academy, under the guidance of Smith and head QBE Academy coach, Paul Roos.

“Lloyd more than held his own at the AFL Under 16 championships against the best boys in the country,’’ Beatson said.

“We’re really hopeful that he can progress all the way and end up on our primary list at the Swans in a couple of years.’’

The AFL’s general manager, national and international development, David Matthews, said the prestigious AIS/AFL program had assisted the development of many players currently on AFL lists.

“The squad at the introductory level will be exposed to the preparation required in both the physical and skill development for elite sport, as well as programs to assist their development as individuals,” Matthews said.

At 16, Lloyd is playing senior football in Sydney and is noted for his slick skills and ability to win the football.

Perris became the inaugural official member of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy squad in May last year.

He played the majority of his junior football with the Cronulla Junior Australian Football Club and is currently playing for St George.

The talented junior footballer won his regional Best and Fairest four years in a row as an under-aged player, and has excelled in both basketball and athletics.

When he was signed to the Swans Academy last year, Smith said: “Not only is Lloyd a highly skilled and talented footballer, his focus, attitude and determination are the attributes that will ensure he makes the most of his potential,” said Smith.

Because he is a member of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Lloyd is eligible to be drafted directly to the Swans senior playing list in 2013, when he is 18 years old.