ARTICLE COURTESY OF THE DAILY EXAMINER
By Rhys O'Neill
HE’S 11 years old but Jack Hardman could be the face of Australian football's future in the Clarence Valley.
On Tuesday Maclean's Hardman was the first – and so far only – Clarence Valley youngster inducted into the newly opened Sydney Swans Academy at Coffs Harbour.
The academy will eventually house 720 NSW juniors from nine to 18 years, aiming to increase the production line of potential AFL players delivered from the North Coast.
The Lower Clarence Eagles forward, who has previously been part of junior representative side, will train twice a week with academy boss Mark Heaney.
For now, he's enjoying the ride.
“It's exciting,” Hardman said.
“I guess (the best bit is) to meet and train with all the good players.
“I like them (the Swans) because of Adam Goodes and all the other good players.”
Hardman has been playing the game for just four-and-a-half years.
And even then, it was a stroke of luck that saw him make the jump to Australian football.
Hardman's mother Leisa said the family moved next door to current Eagles president John Cashman.
When the Eagles needed a player, Hardman answered the call.
Not that it has forced him to give up his representative soccer with the Yamba Breakers.
“He's pretty blasé (about being chosen in the academy),” Leisa said.
“He likes both sports so he just enjoys playing.
“He has been in quite a few representative sides.”
The promotion of Hardman comes as no surprise to Cashman.
And the Eagles supremo said there could soon be more from the Clarence joining his young charge in the academy.
“He's very fast,” Cashman said of Hardman.
“He's a good sportsman all-round. And to be recruited by this academy at the age of 11 is very exciting.
“I think there could be a few more from the area to follow as well.”
The decision to create an academy for youngsters on the North Coast was based on boosting recruitment in the area.
Cashman said juniors now have a chance to progress in the game.
“To have a guy like Paul Roos in charge of this is fantastic,” he said.
“As a little kid growing up in this area you think ‘what chance do I have to be exposed at a higher level?'.
“It's very competitive to make it to the top but at least Jack's in with a chance.”
The Eagles will hold their first sign-on day on February 19 at the Yamba Bowling Club.
Last Modified on 11/02/2011 21:03