Tennis balls, soccer balls and rugby balls aren’t what you’d associate with AFL but that’s exactly what was being thrown around at the QBE Sydney Swans Academy Assessment Day today.

Over 400 kids, aged 10-12 years-old, were testing their sporting skills using a range of different balls and exercises as they trialled for a place in the 2013 Swans Academy program.

The talented boys came from all over Sydney and the Swans’ zone from non-traditional sporting backgrounds to try their hand at the Sherrin.

The juniors were given the opportunity to showcase their sporting skills by undertaking catching, throwing, kicking, jumping and running exercises under the coaching of Paul Roos.

Sydney Swans Academy Manager Chris Smith said the day was designed to give kids from all sporting backgrounds an opportunity to trial for a place in the Academy.

“The idea of these trials is that it isn’t about AFL specific skills,” Smith said. “Of course we use AFL balls but we also use soccer balls, we use rugby balls, tennis balls - we want to see what their hand-eye coordination is like and whether they can jump, skip and move sideways.

“It’s definitely not about AFL skills specific activities and that’s what allows kids from other sports to participate.

“The aim of the day is to assess 440 boys who want to be a part of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and to provide a really fun environment for them.”

One of the most pleasing aspects of the day was seeing the number of gifted kids running around Lakeside Oval. 

“I have seen some talented kids which is very exciting,” Smith said. “When you’ve got 440 kids here there’s definitely some great kids and they’ve taken some initiative to be here, they’re super keen about sport and it looks like they’ve got a wide skill level too.”

Talented boys who stood out in today’s assessment day will be invited to join the 2013 QBE Sydney Swans Academy Program.