Community Camp: Swans give back
By Isabelle O’Brien
Sydney Swans fans around the state had a first-hand look at the Swans in action earlier this week, as players traveled across New South Wales for the clubs Australia Post AFL Community Camp.
Players gave back to communities through school and hospital visits, running footy clinics, engaging with players and officials through club visits, and taking part in training sessions.
Monday and Tuesday saw school visits around the city, including Dulwich Hill Public School and Petersham Public School, who were lucky enough to host Swans stars Rhyce Shaw and Sam Reid.
Shaw and Reid took part in skills practice and games, engaging with students and teachers through fun activities.
The Community Camp was a hit with the young fans of Sydney’s Inner West, with young players from the Glebe Greyhounds Junior AFL Club, and Newtown Swans Junior AFL Club also having the chance to meet the stars and practice some skills with them at Jubilee Oval in Glebe.
Willoughby Public School were the deserving winners of the Sydney Swans #hostSwans social media competition, with an entry proposing a swimming race between Swans stars Keiren Jack, Dan Hannebery, and Josh Kennedy and the students that took place on Tuesday, which was great fun for everyone involved.
Swans co-captain Kieren Jack took part in senior club visits during the camp, popping into training with UNSW-ES Bulldogs and Stingrays on Monday night at the Village Green.
The former Pennant Hills junior also headed to Greenway Park with team mate Sam Reid on Tuesday night, to join in the Pennant Hills training as well as get involved in their Girls Come N Try AFL night, which had a great turnout.
Swans midfielder Harry Cunningham returned to his hometown of Wagga Wagga as part of the Community Camp.
Cunningham spoke to Swans TV about the visit home, noting the Swans visit to the local hospital as a personal key moment of the camp.
“For us to go there and help them out a little bit and put a smile on their face when they’re going through those tough times is great,” Cunningham said.
“… It put’s another perspective on life for you.”
Finally, Illawarra Swans Academy at Wollongong welcomed Swans stars Mike Pyke, Gary Rohan and Brandon Jack as well as Swans Academy graduates Jordan Foote, Abe Davis and Sean Mclaren on Tuesday night.
Swans rookie Jordan Foote enjoyed being able to support the program that lead to his rookie listing by the Swans.
“The Swans Academy is a really great program that helped me to develop my skills as an AFL player,” Foote said.
I’m really proud to be a graduate of the Academy, and still be able to get involved with the young talent of the program”.
Below is a selection of photos from the Sydney Swans Australia Post Community Camp of 2015. Links to full albums below.
Sam Reid and Kieren Jack at Pennant Hills’ Girls Come N Try AFL night
Harry Cunningham visits Wagga Wagga children’s hospital.
Petersham Public School kids having fun with Swan’s star Rhyce Shaw at their Community Camp visit.
UNSW-ES Stingrays Womens team with Swans co-captain Kieren Jack at training
Winners of the #hostSwans competition, Willoughby Public School students with Swans players
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