It’s Game On for the Sydney Swans entry into the AFLW competition, with the AFL Commission granting the club a licence for entry into Season 7, commencing in late 2022.

The Swans will be one of four new teams to enter AFLW next season, completing the national 18-team competition.

Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham said it was a landmark day for the club.

“This is a historic day for the Sydney Swans as we welcome a second elite team as part of our club,” he said.

“For nearly 150 years, our men’s team has competed at the elite level, forging a rich history. From today, our AFLW team will be a significant part of our future story.

“As we introduce a second elite team, we are committed to a one club approach, providing the best, integrated environment we can for both our men’s and women’s teams,” Pridham said.

Pridham said the club had laid strong foundations to a launch a successful AFLW team.

“We have been working towards this day since introducing a female pathway into our QBE Sydney Swans Academy back in 2018. This year, we saw the early success of that program when Jess Doyle and Georgie Fowler became the first Swans Academy players selected in the AFLW draft.

“There are currently 290 girls engaged in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy program and it is exciting for our club that those girls now have a pathway to wearing the red and white at the elite level."

Sydney Swans EGM Product and Consumer Natalie Fagg, who spearheaded the AFLW bid, said she was pleased the AFL Commission had recognised the club’s strong submission.

“Our licence into Season 7 of the AFLW competition is wonderful news for all Swans members, fans and our entire red and white community,” she said.

“One of the key points in our submission was the opportunity AFLW provides for our fans to have a year-round connection to the Swans. When the AFL competition concludes in September, our AFLW team will be preparing to take field.

“For our fans, it means more Swans matches, more marks and goals and more memorable days at the footy.

“Our It’s Game On bid campaign garnered overwhelming support from our members and fans as well as our corporate and government partners.  It is clear that the Swans community is ready to be part of AFLW,” Fagg said.

With the Swans entry into AFLW confirmed for late 2022, the Club will set about making key AFLW appointments.