Sydney has confirmed a significant list management update, with highly distinguished recruiter Kinnear Beatson set to take on a different role with the Swans.
Beatson will leave his current role as Recruiting Manager to take on an opportunity in the Sydney Swans Academy, where he will identify and develop young talent to eventually select for the AFL side.
The long-time recruitment boss has been involved with Sydney's list builds over the past two decades, contributing to their six Grand Final appearances in the last two decades. He began his tenure with the club in 2006 as the Swans' Manager of Player Acquisition, before being appointed as the General Manager of List Strategy and Recruitment.
Most notably, Beatson played a part in recruiting superstar forward Lance Franklin to the Swans at the end of 2013. It remains as one of the more stunning free agency moves since the system's inception into the AFL landscape in 2012.
"It has been an honour to work in the Sydney Swans recruiting team for the past 21 years, and while that chapter is ovetom r, I'm really looking forward to getting started in the Academy program," Beatson said.
"I have a real passion for identifying talent, so I'm really glad I get to continue that side of my work.
"I have been lucky enough to work under two extremely supportive Chairmen in Richard Colless and Andrew Pridham, and I have worked with so many tremendously talented people across all levels of the club, many of whom will remain friends for life."
Outgoing Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley thanked Beatson for his time in the recruiting team and highlighted how the Swans life member would thrive in his new role scouting emerging AFL-calibre talents.
"Kinn is a life member of our club and has had a hand in bringing every current player on our men's list to the club. He has been a wonderful servant for this football club and has always had an exceptional eye for talent," Harley said.
"He's been one of the best in the business for many years now, and we're thrilled he'll stay at our club to help develop future talent in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy."
