QBE and AFL club Sydney will establish an academy next year to nurture 140 promising female players aged 12-13.

QBE Australia and New Zealand EGM Marketing Bettina Pidcock says the QBE Sydney Swans Youth Girls Academy will provide an elite talent pathway.

“Fostering female talent is something very important to us at QBE, and we know the incredibly positive impact sport can have on young girls, so we couldn’t be more proud to be part of the establishment of the… academy,” she said.

“QBE has been behind the [club’s male] academy since its inception in 2010 and our partnership with the Swans spans more than 30 years – so this is yet another great achievement we can celebrate together.”

The academy will grow each year by tailoring the program to additional age groups.

“We’re really proud of the impact our… academy has already had not only on talent outcomes for NSW, but also on increasing participation and interest in our game,” Sydney CEO and MD Andrew Ireland said.

“We’re confident our youth girls academy will deliver similar outcomes and help increase the local talent pool of female footballers.”