GIANTS and Swans spread far and wide across city

On Wednesday, 27 March, the Sydney Swans and GIANTS will cast their rivalry aside to promote Australian rules football across Sydney.

During Local Footy Week – where AFL clubs and players celebrate their connections to the grassroots – every available player from the GIANTS and Swans’ AFL lists will spread out across Sydney, inspiring players from the AFL Sydney Juniors competition at 19 different sessions. Juniors from the Blue Mountains Kangaroos, to the Manly Wolves, the Hornsby-Berowra Eagles to the Camden Cats will all have access to their heroes.

With fewer than two weeks to go before their season begins, junior players are encouraged to bring friends to their club’s session with elite players. The AFL Sydney Juniors competition kicks off on Sunday, 7 April and people can find their nearest club at play.afl.

The visits are extra special as the GIANTS and the Sydney Swans sit atop the AFL ladder, each undefeated in their first three matches of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership season. The GIANTS have a bye in the upcoming third round of the AFL, and the Swans will take on Richmond on Saturday.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, was excited at the opportunity ahead of AFL Sydney Juniors players: “Wednesday’s elite player visits to local footy clubs offer so much to our young footballers,” she said. “Having the chance to rub shoulders with elite athletes is not something that happens every day and I hope registered junior players and their friends can head to the local ground and create great lasting memories alongside AFL role models.”

Sydney Swans’ Executive General Manager of Football, Leon Cameron said: “Our players are committed to giving back to community and they are really looking forward to meeting young players and fans on Wednesday at schools and clubs across Sydney.

“We have twelve players from NSW on our list and it’s special for some of them to get back to where it all began and for the next generation of Swans to have the opportunity to meet their idols.”

GIANTS CEO, David Matthews, said: “We love visiting local clubs and seeing their enthusiasm as they interact with our players. A lot of players remember meeting AFL stars when they were playing junior footy so they understand the importance of these visits and the positive impact it can have on these young kids.

“Interacting with the next generation is extremely important to the GIANTS and we love any opportunity to engage with our local community as we continue to grow the great game of Australian Rules football across New South Wales and beyond.”

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