The Sydney Swans are pleased to announce the signing of exciting 15-year-old player Lloyd Perris as an AFL Scholarship holder.
Perris will become the inaugural official member of the Sydney Swans Academy squad.
He played the majority of his junior football with the Cronulla Junior Australian Football Club, and is currently playing for the St George Under 18s.
The Swans Talent Identification Manager, Chris Smith, is excited about Lloyd’s commitment to the newly-established Swans Academy. “Not only is he a highly skilled and talented footballer, his focus, attitude and determination are the attributes that will ensure he makes the most of his potential,” said Smith.
Lloyd will commence his training with the Sydney Swans Academy this week, and will be eligible to be drafted directly to the Swans senior playing list in 2013.
“I believe that if Lloyd continues to show the attributes he has already displayed, as well as his ability to listen and learn, he has every opportunity to develop into a senior player for the Sydney Swans,” added Smith.
Perris said he was looking forward to the opportunity.
“It’s a great honour,’’ Perris said. “It’s really exciting and I can’t wait to start training with all the guys.’’
Perris started playing Australian football when he was five, for the St Bede Mentone Tigers in Melbourne. He moved to Sydney when he was 10, and played for the Cronulla Sharks.
This season the Sydney Boys High student has been playing against boys three years older than him, as part of the St George Under 18 AFL side.
“It’s been good. It is definitely a step up with bigger bodies but it is a good challenge,’’ Perris said.
While he is now part of the Swans Academy, Perris knows he still has a way to go before he achieves his goals. “I just want to play at the highest level I can, to do the best I can, to work hard at training and see where that takes me,’’ he said.
He believes being part of the Academy will be a real advantage. “It will help me alot especially because I go to school across the road from the Swans training facilities. The standard of training and coaching that I’ll receive will push me to the next level.