What the hell is the Swan's Academy anyway?

[Weedster 174]

I always thought you got players through the draft or trades .. What is this Academy and what is its purpose ?

Why aren't these players available to anyone who drafts them ??

[beelzebub 23,376]

I always thought you got players through the draft or trades .. What is this Academy and what is its purpose ?

Why aren't these players available to anyone who drafts them ??

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/academy

[Mickey 4,684]

From what I understand, the swans have access to kids from certain NSW areas that would otherwise not be introduced to AFL, to help develop the game in that state. They take them quite young, and then try to develop them. In return for their investment, they get to select them as a rookie....

I think. Feel free to correct if wrong

[Mickey 4,684]

Ah... Was typing while that went up. Far more comprehensive

[Weedster 174]

I would suggest this acedemy is an AFL initiative, not funded by the Swans. Coaches throughout the State, hundreds of kids on the program, heightened interest in the game etc etc is all well & good. I don't think the notion that a couple might end up nominated to the Swans as Rookies warrants the over-the-top reaction from Richard Colless.

[dee-eee 231]

I would suggest this acedemy is an AFL initiative, not funded by the Swans. Coaches throughout the State, hundreds of kids on the program, heightened interest in the game etc etc is all well & good. I don't think the notion that a couple might end up nominated to the Swans as Rookies warrants the over-the-top reaction from Richard Colless.

......OR from Caro : " Roos' latest attempt to PLUNDER his old club......" ( my emphasis ) re the Dew approach. Edited September 25, 2013 by dee-eee

[DemonFrog 1,354]

How do we pillage this academy as it looks fair game to me

[Biffen 12,943]

So the Swans own all the AFL kiddies in NSW and we have to ask them permission if we spot some talent from NSW.

[Jara 1,153]

And Roos (much as I now love him, of course) was paid over $300,000 to run this program?

My god, we've got some weird values in our society.

[Return to Glory 8,441]

So the Swans own all the AFL kiddies in NSW and we have to ask them permission if we spot some talent from NSW.

It's not a bad lurk is it? The most populous State and other clubs can't access them. Colless can stick his gentlemans agreement up his arse.

[beelzebub 23,376]

Orwellian

[DemonFrog 1,354]

And Roos (much as I now love him, of course) was paid over $300,000 to run this program?

My god, we've got some weird values in our society.

I would have done it for $299,999

[Little Richard 6,262]

Didn't Adelaide have something similar a while ago, with a scholarship program? That's how they managed to get Tex Walker with pick 70 odd.

[Earl Hood 6,086]

I would suggest this acedemy is an AFL initiative, not funded by the Swans. Coaches throughout the State, hundreds of kids on the program, heightened interest in the game etc etc is all well & good. I don't think the notion that a couple might end up nominated to the Swans as Rookies warrants the over-the-top reaction from Richard Colless.

Yes this the key question, who is funding the Academy, this little advantage for the Swans? If it is funded by the AFL well Colless is a hypocrite who no doubt had his say about Draft assistance for MFC and has his opinions about equalisation as long as he keeps his bloated salary cap. I mean you can imagine the cost of living problems Kurt Tipping is having to deal with as I write this guff.

[DeeSpencer 25,711]

And Roos (much as I now love him, of course) was paid over $300,000 to run this program?

My god, we've got some weird values in our society.

For a part time job. Obviously excessive which is why Roos can't complain too much about the 55% pay cut they offered. But they were obviously willing to pay him overs to keep him involved at the club in some aspect.

Didn't Adelaide have something similar a while ago, with a scholarship program? That's how they managed to get Tex Walker with pick 70 odd.

All clubs had access to the NSW scholarship program. The best 3 are Taylor Walker (by a mile), Craig Bird and Witts from Collingwood. Not sure anyone else has had any real success.

That program is now being disbanded and Perris is one of the last if not the last remaining.

The new academy program is a way for NSW and QLD kids to get access to elite coaching and development so more of them can get drafted. It's in place of the TAC for Victorian kids. Sydney and every other club will then have free reign to take these kids through the draft. Obviously the swans have their name on their one and oversee the program and therefore have better knowledge of those kids but it's no different to WA clubs having better understanding on the kids coming up through WA. The good ones in the Sydney program will get spotted by all clubs and Sydney might get a little advantage but will have to pay up the draft picks for it. And if more kids stay in Sydney from a NSW base that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ideally the swans academy gets taken away from the club and is AFL run but it's a more attractive and probably cheaper model if it has the backing of the swans.

So scholarship system is out, swans academy is in and that's a good thing overall.