THE AFL is pleased to confirm that a 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous All Stars Match will be played against the Fremantle Football Club at Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Indigenous All Stars team will return for the first time since 2015 when they play as part of the AFL pre-season fixture on Saturday 15 February.
Premier Partner of the AFL, Toyota, has expanded its support of the game, by partnering with the AFL’s National Indigenous and Multicultural Academies as well as coming on board as the naming rights partner of the 2025 Toyota Indigenous All Stars match.
AFL Executive General Manager of Social Policy and Inclusion Tanya Hosch said it was wonderful to see the return of the Indigenous All Stars team following a hiatus and thanked Toyota for their continuous support.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have a remarkable history in our game and the All Stars team builds on this legacy that I am thrilled to see will return to the field in 2025,” said Ms Hosch.
“This game also serves as a powerful opportunity to highlight Indigenous player excellence, unite, reflect, and reinforce our shared commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples place and broader inclusion within the game of Aussie rules footy.
“It will not only be a celebration of Indigenous cultures and place in the game, but the outstanding contributions Indigenous players continue to make to our sport and will also serve as aspiration for young Indigenous players and communities into the future.
“It will have been 10 years since the last Indigenous All Stars game was played and the current crop of champions are ready to carry on the legacy of our recent greats like Franklin, Rioli, Farmer, Betts and O’Loughlin.
“It will also be more than 80 years since the historic 1944 game during World War two between an all-Aboriginal team and a combined SANFL team at the Adelaide Oval to raise funds to support soldiers during the war.
“This first combined team celebrated being able to come together and Indigenous players relish the chance to take the field together, celebrate their rich cultural heritage and showcase their incredible skills.
“I would also like to thank Toyota for their ongoing support of the AFL and particularly the work they are doing to support and champion Indigenous and Multicultural peoples in footy.”
AFL Executive General Manager of Football Laura Kane said: “The Toyota AFL Indigenous All Stars match will showcase some of the best Indigenous talent in our game and inspire the next wave of players.
“It is important to us to continue to provide opportunities at a pathway level and shine a light on what can be achieved with the end goal being growing the number of Indigenous players on AFL lists in the future.
“I would like to thank Simon Garlick, the Executive and Football Department at the Fremantle Football Club for their support and initiative they have shown in working with us on pulling this game together which will also serve as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their club’s own great history with Indigenous players.”
Toyota Australia, Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo said: “Toyota is delighted to be supporting the return of the AFL Indigenous All Stars match in 2025 and the growing development of the league’s Indigenous and multicultural youth programs.
“Toyota is thrilled to support the return of the AFL Indigenous All Stars Match in February. At Toyota, we understand the role that sport has within the Australian community, and our aim is to help drive positive impact by supporting the next generation of talent through the Indigenous and Multicultural Academies.”
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said: “To run onto the field in this game is an incredible honour for the Fremantle Football Club.
“Fremantle has such a proud history when it comes to Indigenous players representing our Club, not to mention the connections we have with communities all around WA and throughout Australia.
“We embrace the strong culture with Indigenous people that has helped make us the Club we are today, highlighted by more than two and a half thousand AFL games from 36 Indigenous players.”
A number of Indigenous Talent pathway programs and activities have occurred this year already including:
World Team/Boomerangs (Boys) and Woomeras/Medleys (Girls)
The U15 Talent Pathways national program for Indigenous and multicultural girls and boys (NGA eligible) was continued, with around 90 participants for each. Culminates in camp and talent showcase matches attended by players from around the country.
The 2024 Woomeras program took place at Brighton Homes Arena in Brisbane over 3 days, with 40 15-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls participating.
The Flying Boomerangs program took place at La Trobe University in Melbourne over 3 days, with 45 15-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys participating.
Diversity development days and online academies
New Diversity Development Days program for players aged 16-18 (NGA eligible) with separate programs run in each state and territory for the first time.
For multicultural and Indigenous boys and girls. Single-day face to face sessions in each market, run at different times, with 180 players participating.
Online Multicultural Academy and Indigenous Academy with 80 participants in each, providing 12 monthly development sessions.
Victorian Diversity All Stars matches
The second-annual Victorian Diversity All-Stars matches comprised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and players from Multicultural backgrounds who are currently not part of Coates Talent League under-18 programs.
The boys and girls showcase matches gave players with an entry into a Talent Pathways program and provided a platform for players to then be invited to trial for their Coates Talent League region’s under-18 squad for the 2025 season.
Tickets for the match will go on sale December 16 with the match to be broadcast live and exclusive on Foxtel and Kayo.
To register interest for Hospitality Packages please visit the AFL Event Office: https://afleventoffice.com.au/