Melbourne will host more than 130 of the brightest up-and-coming Indigenous and Multicultural boys footballers from around Australia across the next week.

The players will come together for two football programs designed to prepare participants for the elite level of the game by providing football and lifestyle coaching and education to assist their development.

The week begins with the Flying Boomerangs and World Team program for players who turn 15 years of age this year, ahead of the Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies for players aged 16 to 18.

FLYING BOOMERANGS AND WORLD TEAM

The 2025 Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs will take part in a three-day camp that commences on Sunday, September 28, following the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

The Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads are made up of talented footballers from across Australia who turn 15 years of age in 2025.

The Flying Boomerangs squad comprises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, while the World Team features footballers with at least one parent born in a country that meets the AFL's Next Generation Academy criteria.

For some participants, the program is an introduction to a high-performance environment.

Players will take part in a football and leadership camp, which will include a host of football and athletic training sessions, as well as cultural and leadership-building activities designed to further enhance their skillset on and off the field.

The camp will conclude with two talent showcase matches pitting the Flying Boomerangs against the World Team on Tuesday, September 30 at Bundoora’s La Trobe University.

Two-time All Australian Chad Wingard will coach the Flying Boomerangs, with assistants to include fellow former AFL players Roger Hayden, Nathan Kreuger, Jake Neade, Harrison Pepper and Deakyn Smith.

Port Adelaide 167-gamer Alipate Carlile will head the World Team’s coaching staff, which also includes Dom Akeui, Matt Baseden, Emmanuel Irra and Anton Vassallo.

The equivalent program for girls, the Woomeras and Medleys program, was held in New South Wales in July.

FLYING BOOMERANGS VS WORLD TEAM
Date: Tuesday, September 30
Time: Game 1 at 10:00am, Game 2 at 12:00pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora
Watch: A live stream of both games will be available on the AFL Play YouTube channel here
Team Lists: Click here for match-day team lists

FLYING BOOMERANGS

Head coach: Chad Wingard
Assistant coaches: Roger Hayden, Nathan Kreuger, Jake Neade, Harrison Pepper and Deakyn Smith

WORLD TEAM

Head coach: Alipate Carlile
Assistant coaches: Dom Akeui, Matt Baseden, Emmanuel Irra and Anton Vassallo

TOYOTA AFL INDIGENOUS AND MULTICULTURAL ACADEMIES

The 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies will come together for a program that will run from Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 3.

The Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies comprise talented Indigenous and Multicultural footballers from Next Generation Academy-eligible backgrounds who are aged 16 to 18 years of age.

Many of the players selected in the Indigenous and Multicultural Academies also feature in state Talent Pathways programs, competing in competitions such as the Coates Talent League, NTFL U18s, SANFL U18s and WAFL Colts.

Participants in the Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies complete a year-long program that encompasses monthly online development modules. Players also have access to additional learning and cultural support for the duration of the year.

The AFL's social, emotional and cultural wellbeing framework has been integrated into the education modules.

Throughout the course of the year online football masterclasses are delivered by AFL and AFLW stars, including Norm Smith Medal winners Bobby Hill and Jason Johannisen, dual leading goal kicker Darcy Vescio and two-time premiership player Danielle Ponter.

The highlight of the Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies program is this week’s three-day camp, which will include a match under lights at Bundoora’s La Trobe University from 7:30pm on Thursday.

The Indigenous Academy will be coached by former AFL players Chad Wingard, Roger Hayden and Brady Gray.

Coaches for the Multicultural Academy include Sydney Swans Academy Talent and Coaching Director Harmit Singh, VFL players Matthew Foley and Reuben Rode and former Western Jets assistant Ali Hamad.

The Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academy for girls also features a year-long program, which included a camp in Melbourne that was held over the King’s Birthday long weekend in June.

TOYOTA AFL INDIGENOUS ACADEMY vs TOYOTA AFL MULTICULTURAL ACADEMY
Date: Thursday, October 2
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora
Watch: A live stream will be available on the AFL Play YouTube channel here
Team Lists: Click here for match-day team lists

TOYOTA AFL INDIGENOUS ACADEMY

Coaches: Chad Wingard, Roger Hayden and Brady Gray

TOYOTA AFL MULTICULTURAL ACADEMY

Coaches: Harmit Singh, Matthew Foley, Reuben Rode and Ali Hamad

Quotes attributable to AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager, Narelle Long:

"We are thrilled Melbourne to have the country's most talent young Indigenous and Multicultural players coming together in Melbourne this week.

"The Flying Boomerangs and World Team program is an introduction into a professional sporting environment. Players will not only further develop their football skills and game education but also gain an insight into the behaviours and habits required to reach their full potential.

"The Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies provide an advanced football experience for our emerging Indigenous and Multicultural footballers.

"The program is designed to prepare our participants for a transition to the elite level of the game by providing further on-field and off-field coaching education to assist their development.

"In addition to retaining and transition our talented young footballers, the Academies also aim to bring back talent to the sport by providing new opportunities for our young athletes.

"The Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies are an extension of our Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs, which many of our Academy participants featured in as part of their 15th year."