Why are the Swans not bidding for the AFLW?

[aardvark]

I have absolutely no problem with the clubs approach. The Academy is excellent news. What disappoints me is there are 2-3 excellent prospects in the NSW U/18 girls this year that will now have 10 year careers with GWS and that will keep happening until we get a team.

[Sandridge]

That match was the one of a series of women's exhibition matches last year, with the two teams for the Sydney game representing the best female talent in New South Wales and ACT (plus several American women who were putting themselves forward for consideration for the AFLW draft)). So I think both teams were formed by putting together a combination of women players drawn from various NSW and ACT clubs. That is, the players on the day for both teams didn't usually play together at the same club.

If you want to see who made up the Swans team, then the names and the clubs they came from are listed here:

Meet your women's team - sydneyswans.com.au

Big thanks Meg!

[Meg]

"At least two clubs ? and possibly four ? will be given the green light to join the AFLW in 2019."

"The AFL received bids from Essendon, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast by the Friday afternoon deadline."

"The Sydney Swans made a submission indicating an interest in fielding a team in the future, providing they can provide appropriate training and administrative facilities."

Eight clubs submit bids for AFLW in 2019 - AFL.com.au

[Beerman]

I do find it disappointing that we aren't launching an immediate bid, but I don't know enough about football administration and what it takes to run a club (including a men's team, a women's team and the academies) to know just how achievable it is. I know from my own work experience that there are always really great opportunities that have to be shelved because of a lack of resources, and that often people are not very happy about that.

Besides, what's wrong with women in Sydney playing for GWS? (Mods - please, please don't ban me! ) It would be great if Sydney (the city) had two teams, but at least we have one.

[erica]

I'm extremely pleased the Swans are developing potential female players at the academy. Our club has always been strong on development of local talent and it's great to see this extended to girls and young women.

[Thunder Shaker]

"The Sydney Swans made a submission indicating an interest in fielding a team in the future, providing they can provide appropriate training and administrative facilities."

Eight clubs submit bids for AFLW in 2019 - AFL.com.au

In what way would the Swans' "training and administrative facilities" not be up to scratch for a women's team?

[barry]

Do the swans girls academy players go to the giants once they are old enough?

[aardvark]

Do the swans girls academy players go to the giants once they are old enough?

They can choose to nominate for the NSW draft or any other state draft if they wish.
If they nominate for NSW only then GWS is their only chance.

[Meg]

In what way would the Swans' "training and administrative facilities" not be up to scratch for a women's team?

That's discussed earlier in this thread but here's some more info.

"...... Tramway Oval (is) where the Swans train over the pre-season due to cricket at the SCG ............. "

"It?s not just the Swans who make use of the narrow training field over summer. Tramway Oval is also used by the Waratahs and the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, which will this year include some 600 members."

"The absence of an alternative training ground was a key factor in Sydney delaying a bid for an AFL women?s team, along with the Swans having outgrown their existing training and administration base."

Swans back on greener pastures - sydneyswans.com.au

[giant]

Another free kick to the Giants.

Twice I've been forced to agree with Barry in a week. This could become a habit.

[Danzar]

That's discussed earlier in this thread but here's some more info.

"...... Tramway Oval (is) where the Swans train over the pre-season due to cricket at the SCG ............. "

"It?s not just the Swans who make use of the narrow training field over summer. Tramway Oval is also used by the Waratahs and the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, which will this year include some 600 members."

"The absence of an alternative training ground was a key factor in Sydney delaying a bid for an AFL women?s team, along with the Swans having outgrown their existing training and administration base."

Swans back on greener pastures - sydneyswans.com.au

Exactly this. I spoke to Dean Moore about this a few months ago - Club needs to expand their training facilities just for the men's, so the future of an AFL Women's team is tied to that.


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[Aprilbr]

There was a lot of talk about 12 months ago about the Swans signing a deal for a new training base. This talk seems to have gone quiet. It would be a key factor I think as the facilities around the SCG are just too small now.


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[bloodspirit]

The vibe I got from the recent press releases is that they are actually getting closer to sorting out a training base in the Moore Park precinct, which is obviously their preference. Alternatives are just that: a plan B if Moore park doesn't work out. Assuming they can work something out at Moore Park, I assume the cost will be higher. It will also mean we are tied to the precinct for the long term. I hope it works out.

Also, I think it's not just the oval they need to train on but offices/change rooms/gym space etc is also at a premium. At least they are not in demountables like the Giants once were.

[CKunde]

I reckon the Swans are going about it in a very smart way that will almost guarantee future success in AFLW.

The links they're forming with the UNSW-ES Stingrays with coaches and players are setting them up to have a pool of staff with years of development and experience before they even hit the track for the first time.

As for 10 year careers with GWS for the players being drafted in the next couple years, I wouldn't take it as a given. AFLW contracts presently are 24 months with the league and 12 months with the clubs. I doubt anyone will be signing long contracts for a while yet.

The Swans will hit the ground running when they start, I'd put my house on it.

The bulk of GWS current list are in the Swans 'zone'. Their head coach is a former Swan. GWS may have the licence, but they will need to do a lot of work to catch up to what the Swans already have ready to go.

[bloodspirit]

From Andrew Ireland's recent interview on the Swans' website I took it that the Club is totally committed to (and very likely to get) an AFLW licence, but not before 2022. I'm impatient to start cheering on a women's team and may even go to see GWS play at Drummoyne. Would be so much better if it were a Swans' game however.