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Sydney Swans set to open AFL Women’s Academy, want licence for 2020 season

SYDNEY will open a youth academy for girls this season with a view to providing talent for a Swans AFLW team in the 2020 season.

Former Sydney players Jude Bolton, with daughter Siarra, Nick Davis and daughter Jordan and Michael O'Loughlin with daughters Taya and Leni at the SCG. Picture: Mark Evans
Former Sydney players Jude Bolton, with daughter Siarra, Nick Davis and daughter Jordan and Michael O'Loughlin with daughters Taya and Leni at the SCG. Picture: Mark Evans

The sons of AFL stars have always had the chance of following in their father’s footsteps into the game’s elite competition - but their daughters haven’t, until now.

In September the Sydney Swans will open a youth academy for girls, and youngsters like Siarra Bolton and Taya and Leni O’Loughlin.

The first intake into the academy will include about 100 girls aged 12 and 13 with a view to providing talent for a Swans AFLW team in the 2020 season.

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“As a dad it’s exciting to see there is a pathway for girls now,” Swans great Jude Bolton said.

“A lot of girls started having a kick of the footy and then it disappeared, the AFLW gives them the chance to keep their interest in the game and do it at a high level.

“It’s great for the club and they may wear the red and white one day, who knows.’’

Jude Bolton with daughter Siarra, Nick Davis and daughter Jordan and Michael O'Loughlin with daughters Taya and Leni at the SCG. Picture: Mark Evans
Jude Bolton with daughter Siarra, Nick Davis and daughter Jordan and Michael O'Loughlin with daughters Taya and Leni at the SCG. Picture: Mark Evans

Siarra has started Auskick with her friends and loves it. She’s collecting footy cards now so I had to throw a few of mine in there. It was a gentle reminder.”

Nobody could accuse Michael O’Loughlin’s daughter Taya of a lack of ambition, she already has her sights on her dad’s games record.

“It would be a very cool opportunity to be in the academy,” Taya O’Loughlin said.

“I could maybe beat my dad’s record of 303 games.”

With the AFLW still only a seven-game season it might take Taya a few decades to reach the mark but her dad isn’t betting against her.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” O’Loughlin said.

“The game has just exploded with the AFLW starting. We love it, we love watching it. It’s so aspirational for the young girls coming through and gives them another option. Taya played in the Paul Kelly Cup and made the final and she plays basketball as well.”

Sydney’s 2005 premiership hero Nick Davis is a father-son selection himself and followed his father Craig into the AFL with Collingwood and couldn’t be happier his daughter Jordan has the same opportunity.

Michael O'Loughlin in action for Sydney in 2003.
Michael O'Loughlin in action for Sydney in 2003.
Jude Bolton in action in 2009. Picture: George Salpigtidis
Jude Bolton in action in 2009. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“I understand the sentiment and what it’s about,” Davis said.

“Everyone asks if I wanted a boy well I couldn’t have been happier with the way it’s turned out with Jordan. Our job as parents is to support her so if she wants to play for the Swans I’ll be more than happy with that. The concentration wanes, I’m not sure where she gets that from. Jordan loves being around the footy club so maybe one day she can come out and play.”

The Swans weren’t able to field a team in the inaugural AFLW due to the lack of a ground (the SCG is in use with cricket) and facilities. They have written to the AFL this week confirming they will not be able to field a women’s team in the 2019 season but expect to be ready for 2020.

“We’re really keen to have a licence and a facility is the only thing that’s stopping us,” Swans CEO Andrew Ireland said.

“Our Youth Girls Academy will also assist as we believe the best way to build a really strong AFLW team is to take it from grassroots right through. We’re hoping it all dovetails together with the Academy operating for girls and an application for an AFLW licence from 2020 onwards.”

Originally published as Sydney Swans set to open AFL Women’s Academy, want licence for 2020 season

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/swoop/sydney-swans-set-to-open-afl-womens-academy-want-licence-for-2020-season/news-story/f9160f6fc9a409b0b967ee062cc06cbe