The AFL has today confirmed the Sydney Swans will travel to Newcastle this December for a special pre-season Community Camp in the Hunter region.
Following the team’s AFLW visit to Newcastle last year, the Sydney Swans’ entire men’s team and staff will return to the region that produced their crowd favourite midfielder Isaac Heeney, descending on Newcastle from Monday 1 December.
The AFL is supporting the Swans’ Community Camp in Newcastle as participation in Australian Rules Football continues to steadily rise in the region.
As of October 2025, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory boast over 78,000 registered AFL participants in the state and territory, with participation in the Hunter and Central Coast increasing by 12% this year.
The program for the Bloods’ community camp will begin when Swans players put junior participants through their paces at special NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick clinics in Newcastle and Bateau Bay on Monday afternoon (1 December).
Later that evening, the Swans will then host a workshop where local coaches will have the opportunity to learn from the Swans’ pantheon of coaching staff, including Head Coach Dean Cox and recently-appointed Director of Coaching and Performance Simon Goodwin.
Team training will then commence from Tuesday (2 December), with the squad also visiting local schools across the Hunter later that day. The team’s visit to Newcastle will then culminate in an open training session at the Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground on Wednesday (3 December) where fans will have the opportunity to meet their heroes.
Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said: “The AFL is committed to connecting the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS with fans and participants across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in meaningful ways.
“The Hunter Central Coast is crucial to the ongoing growth of Aussie Rules Football in New South Wales, and we’ve been thrilled to see the growing passion for AFL in the region.
“Bringing the Sydney Swans back to Newcastle recognises this passion. Community Camps like these are critical to strengthening the club’s connection to the local community and inspiring the next generation of players and fans across the region, and we look forward to their return to Newcastle this December.”
The Hunter Central Coast is home to 18 community AFL clubs across both senior and junior competitions, with over 50 Auskick centres across the region.
Notably, participation among women and girls in the region follows the upward trend seen across the state and territory, with females making up more than 30% of total participation on the Hunter Central Coast.
Sydney Swans midfielder Isaac Heeney, who began his AFL journey as a junior with Newcastle’s own Cardiff Hawks Football Club, said: “It’s always great to get back to Newcastle and I’m looking forward to showing the boys where I’m from.
“The growth of AFL in Sydney and Newcastle has been awesome to see. Getting out to the regions is so important to help continue growing the club and the code.
“We always enjoy getting out to schools and engaging with kids, and hopefully we can inspire the next generation in Newcastle to get involved in AFL.”
Sydney Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich said: “Regional communities are incredibly important to our club, and we are thrilled to be heading to Newcastle this year.
“The AFL Community Camp program is a fantastic way for our players to give back, which is something they really embrace.
“Participation in footy at the grassroots level is hugely important for the growth of the game in NSW, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how the boys engage with the local community in Newcastle.”
Recently, the Hunter’s own Nelson Bay Football Club received a $50,000 grant via the AFL’s New South Wales Facilities Fund.
The AFL’s New South Wales Facilities Fund endeavors to provide community AFL clubs with the means to enhance their facilities and grounds, ensuring the continued growth and inclusivity of Aussie Rules Football at the grassroots level.
The grant awarded to Nelson Bay will allow the club to unlock improved gender-neutral changerooms and upgraded lighting.
Sydney Swans Newcastle Community Camp program*
*full schedule subject to change
Monday 1 December 2025:
NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick Clinics with Sydney Swans Players (Newcastle)
Time: 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Location: Newcastle No. 2 Sports Ground, Smith St, Newcastle West NSW 2302
NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick Clinics with Sydney Swans Players (Bateau Bay)
Time: 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Location: Bateau Bay Oval, 29 Passage Rd Bateau Bay NSW 2261
Sydney Swans Newcastle Coaching Clinic
Time: 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Location: Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground, Newcastle West NSW 2302
Tuesday 2 December 2025:
Sydney Swans School Visits
Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm
Locations: TBC
Wednesday 3 December 2025:
Sydney Swans Open Training Session
Time: 8.00am – 11.00am
Location: Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground, Newcastle West NSW 2302
Sydney Swans Autograph Session
Time: 11.00am – 11.30am
Location: Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground, Newcastle West NSW 2302