The AFL advises the 2017 Medleys and Rio Tinto AFL Woomeras Leadership Program will begin today, Wednesday February 8, in Melbourne.

Currently in its fifth year, the Rio Tinto AFL Woomeras team is the national under-16 female Indigenous development program while the Medleys is the national under-16 female Multicultural development program.

Fifty Indigenous and Multicultural players from across the country will participate in the six-day camp focussing on personal and cultural development, while also visiting AFL clubs and competing in two exhibition matches against each other.

This will be the inaugural Medleys program, mirroring the World Team pathway for boys of the same age, while the Woomeras team mirrors the Rio Tinto AFL Flying Boomerangs pathway for the boys.

AFL Head of Multicultural & Indigenous Partnerships & Programs Ali Fahour said the Medleys and Woomeras programs are a great way to encourage young women to aspire to reach the elite level and fast track their football development.

"The 2017 Medleys and Woomeras Leadership Program is an incredible platform for young Indigenous and Multicultural women to not only showcase their great talents, but to also develop leadership skills and the potential for them to become positive role models for their respective communities," Mr Fahour said.

"The young women will enjoy elite training environments with the aim of improving their football ability, enhancing their leadership potential and exploring their cultural identity.

"The camp will also provide an opportunity for the girls to watch the Western Bulldogs play the Adelaide Crows in the NAB AFL Women's competition."

Rio Tinto's Managing Director Australia Joanne Farrell said, "We are very proud to be supporting the Rio Tinto Woomeras program. The young women in this program will become the next generation of Indigenous role models as they continue to follow in the footsteps of program graduates Tayla Thorn (Adelaide Crows) and Shaleise Law (Brisbane Lions) who are currently playing in the NAB AFL Women's Competition.

"The AFL has the power to create positive social change, shift attitudes and help set the social agenda in Australia, with a captive audience of passionate supporters of the game and members of the clubs.

"Rio Tinto and the AFL are committed to supporting the on and off field aspirations of young and talented Indigenous women from around the country. We want to help our Indigenous sports stars strive for success on the field, in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities."

The Medleys will play against the Woomeras in a match on Friday, February 10 at the Essendon Football Club (2.00pm) and on Sunday, February 12, in Geelong (12.00pm). It will be the first time an all-Indigenous girls' team will play an all-Multicultural girls' side in an official match.

Participants for both programs were selected following a three-stage process where hopefuls attended state try-outs before being selected for the State Kickstart Team (Indigenous) or State All Nations Team (Multicultural). Following the AFL National Diversity Championships held in Shepparton in September last year, 50 participants were selected for the respective Medleys or Woomeras team.

2017 WOOMERAS

Head Coach – Courtney Ugle
Assistant Coach – Emily McGuire
Assistant Coach – Bronwyn Davey

2017 Woomeras Team:
Shantel Ripa (QLD), Tiarna Awang (QLD), Rhiannon Blair (QLD), Kitara Farra (QLD), Saraiyah Piolt (QLD), Hope Ugle-Howard (WA), Nakeesha Miniter (WA), Mikayla Morrison (WA), Monique Riley (WA), Tyrah Kickett (WA), Mavis Lyndon (WA), Krstel Petrevski (VIC), Stephanie Williams (VIC), Chelsea Briggs-Baksh (VIC), Ciara Gaykamangu (NT), Jacinta Anderson (NT), Gerrica Heenan (NT), Molly Althouse (NT), Shakira Henry (NT), Keyyann Rankine (SA), Samyde Forrves (SA), Maleah Walters-Holten (NSW/ACT), Erin Naden (NSW/ACT), Mia King (TAS), Sian Beeton (TAS).
EMERGENCIES: Rachel Riley (WA), Courtney Little (WA), Shakira Pickett (WA), Reanne Morrison (WA), Zoe Blurton (WA), Michaline Mungatopi (NT), Phyllisia Paliluaminni (VIC), Shontaya Burgoyne (SA), Dekota Martin (NSW/ACT).

2017 MEDLEYS

Head Coach - Nuria Ushoroff
Assistant Coach - Bella Ndaikese
Assistant Coach - Sabrin Nyamda

2017 Medleys Team:
Gabby Cleeman (VIC), Terira Fry (VIC), Amanda Ling (VIC), Mary Daw (VIC), Stephanie Elias (VIC), Nyakoat Dojiok (VIC), Zimmorlei Farquharson (QLD), Ainsleu Rintala-Apps (QLD), Alice Savill (QLD), Yvonne Bwisengo (QLD), Kiden Alemin (WA), Akoor Dhelbai (WA), Scovia Anzoa (WA), Acwag Deng (WA), Sabur Chuot (WA), Ellie Shefts (NSW/ACT), Biola Dawa (NSW/ACT), Tima Tapuho (NSW/ACT), Anju Gninon (NT), Ashanti Berry (NT), Rachel Hartung (NT), Bethany Bell (SA), Tamieka Anderson (SA), Hannah Ewings (SA), Alecia Pienaar (SA).
EMERGENCIES: Savali Tapugao (NSW/ACT), Monserrat Shimizu (QLD), Christy Burrows (SA), Angie Andunga (VIC), Tiana Tawhiti (WA).

Rio Tinto is the principal partner to all of the AFL's Indigenous Programs. Rio Tinto is one of Australia's largest employers of Indigenous people, employing some 1600 Aboriginal men and women across the nation.

Australia Post is the principal partner to all of the AFL's Multicultural Programs.