The inaugural Sydney Swans AFL Camp has concluded with a unanimous thumbs-up from participants after an action packed - if very soggy - two days.

Over the two days, participants took part in tailored learning sessions on topics such as strength and conditioning, nutrition and psychology and had the opportunity for in-depth analysis using the latest skill analysis software. The boys also gained exclusive access to the Swans coaching staff, fitness and conditioning staff and of course, Swans players.

On Thursday afternoon, Swans leaders Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton, Craig Bolton and Tadhg Kennelly took the group through a number of drills to hone their skills.

Friday morning started with invaluable advice from Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw and Jarrad McVeigh, on all the hard work required to become an AFL player. 

Matthew Fogarty, 10, from Manly, attended the camp with three Manly Bombers teammates.

“The camp has been great fun. The best lesson I learned was from Brett Kirk on the importance of quick handballs.”

His Manly Bombers teammate Trent Dutton, 10, from Seaforth, said the camp had improved his kicking skills.

“I’m not a very good kick, but Tadhg Kennelly and the other coaches taught me some really good things on how to improve both the length and the direction of my kicking.”

For Liam Griffiths, the camp was certainly worth a 5.00am wakeup call and a three journey from his home in Goulburn.

“It was very fun and I got a lot out of it. I probably got the most out of the time with the Swans players, where I picked up a few little things that might not get taught at club level,” he said. 

Sydney Swans Talent Identification and Academy Manager Chris Smith said the inaugural camp had been a fantastic success, despite heavy rain in Sydney over the two days.

“The boy’s enthusiasm, their willingness to learn and the participation of the staff was really great to see,” Smith said. 

“The 100 boys made the most of the opportunity to be in and around an elite AFL environment and did really well,

“There was certainly a lot of potential out there and you can tell the kids that are really enthusiastic and keen to learn. There were definitely some kids we will be keeping an eye on from a future perspective,” Smith said. 

The intensive training camp is based on similar camps run by European soccer clubs such as AC Milan.