JUNIOR footballers from St George and Sutherland Shire are a step closer to playing in the AFL after being selected in the Sydney Swans Academy for the first time.
Lincoln Powley (U12, Burraneer), Ben Armstrong (U12, Caringbah), Blake Noll (U13, Caringbah South), Orlando Smith (U11, Carlton), Matthew Uglow (U12, Carlton), Luke McGregor (U13, Connells Point), Tye Gander (U11, Engadine), Liam Brunton (U13, Gymea), Angelo Zanis (U12, Sans Souci) and Edmund Pfahlert (U12, Sylvania) have all been selected in the 2015 program.
The players will begin their journey to the AFL under head coach Michael O'Loughlin, a former Swans record holder for most games.
Academy players are able to be recruited by the Swans as a priority draft selection.
Academy graduate Isaac Heeney, from Maitland, has made an impressive start to his career with the Swans this season.
O'Loughlin said it was a great accomplishment to be selected. "It's an outstanding achievement to be selected and a great opportunity for all involved," he said.
"It's fantastic for kids growing up in NSW to now have a clear pathway from junior footy to the Swans academy and right through to the elite level.
"We're starting to see some talented players from NSW get drafted by the Swans and other AFL clubs which is really exciting and there'll no doubt be plenty more players from NSW in red and white in the future."
