The 2026 Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs, featuring the most promising 15-and-under Indigenous and Multicultural boys footballers from across Australia, will come together on the Gold Coast this week.

The Flying Boomerangs program features Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, with the World Team program for players from culturally diverse backgrounds. Many of the players in the World Team squad meet the AFL’s Next Generation Academy criteria.

The Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are designed to bring promising young footballers into a high-performance football environment for a development experience that will help their progression into other programs in the AFL Talent Pathway.

Many participants will be in contention to feature in the 2027 AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies.

Throughout this week’s program, players will feature in various football training sessions and experiences. This will include an inner-sanctum experience with the Gold Coast Suns, featuring a tour of the club’s facilities and a Q&A with players and coaches.

In addition to football training sessions, players will also take part in social, emotional and cultural wellbeing sessions throughout the camp.

Players will feature in two talent showcase matches at Austworld Centre Oval on Wednesday, July 15, where two teams for each of the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs will go head-to-head.

The first match will commence at 11:50am, with the second match to follow at 1:30pm.

>>>WATCH MATCHES IN VIDEO PLAYERS BELOW

GAME ONE

GAME TWO

2026 FLYING BOOMERANGS VS WORLD TEAM MATCHES

DATE: Wednesday, July 15
TIME: 11:50am and 1:30pm AEST
VENUE: Austworld Centre Oval
TEAM SHEETS: Click here to view team sheets

Players in the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs will be led by a host of ex-AFL talent.

The Flying Boomerangs coaching staff includes Roger Hayden, Chad Wingard, Nakia Cockatoo, Jake Neade, Joel Garner and Harrison Pepper, while the World Team will be coached by Alipate Carlile, Anton Vassallo, Chris Lynch, Matt Baseden, Andrew Donaldson and Shane Clough.

AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager, Narelle Long, said: “So many stars of our game have previously featured in the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs and we’re thrilled to work with our 2026 participants on the Gold Coast this week.

“For many participants, the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are the first step into an elite football program.

“The training, coaching and education offered to players throughout this week’s camp is designed to provide them with valuable tools to equip them for the next steps in their journey through the AFL Talent Pathway.”

This week’s Flying Boomerangs and World Team camp features as part of a big week of footy in Queensland.

The final two rounds of the 2026 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys are also taking part on the Gold Coast, with ten matches being played at People First Stadium and Fankhauser Reserve throughout the week.

Continue below to see the 2026 Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads.

FLYING BOOMERANGS

Coaches: Roger Hayden, Chad Wingard, Nakia Cockatoo, Jake Neade, Joel Garner and Harrison Pepper

 WORLD TEAM

Coaches: Alipate Carlile, Anton Vassallo, Chris Lynch, Matt Baseden, Andrew Donaldson and Shane Clough

ABOUT

The Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs for boys footballers aged 15 and under and the Woomeras and Medleys programs for girls footballers aged 15 and under feature as part of a host of diversity programs within the AFL’s Talent Pathway.

This includes the year-long AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies program comprising 17 and 18-year-old footballers, while a Futures program for players aged under 17 will be introduced this year.

Last month the AFL announced the introduction of the AAMI Indigenous and Multicultural Scholarship Program, providing $100,000 in financial assistance to young Indigenous and Multicultural footballers from across Australia to support their journey through the AFL's Talent Pathway.

Additionally, the AFL announced a revamp to its Next Generation Program system late last year. Among the key changes was an expansion of age eligibility from 19 to 21 years to provide greater access to players who develop at a later age.