2026 AFL INDIGENOUS AND MULTICULTURAL ACADEMIES

The AFL has today announced the squads to feature in the 2026 AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies ahead of induction camps in Melbourne across the next two weeks.

The AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies comprise talented 17 and 18-year-old Indigenous and Multicultural footballers, many of who meet the AFL's Next Generation Academy criteria.

Players selected in the Academies currently participate in state Talent Pathways programs.

Each of the Academies for boys and girls will support up to 25 players who will feature in two high-performance football camps throughout the 2026 season.  

The first camp will be held in Melbourne in February. A second camp will be conducted in September, which will also include a selection of 16-year-old players to support progression ahead of next year’s Talent Pathways programs.

Both high-performance camps will feature a showcase match that will pit the Indigenous Academy against the Multicultural Academy. The first of these matches for girls and boys will be played at Dingley’s Kennedy Community Centre, the new home of the Hawthorn Football Club.

In addition to the two football camps, players in the AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies will receive year-long access to online learning tools and resources designed to enhance both on and off-field development.

This will include 12 football masterclasses delivered by Indigenous and Multicultural AFL and AFLW players, who will share elite-level knowledge and experience.

Academy members will also complete leadership and personal development modules to build confidence, communication and goal-setting skills, as well as engage in social, emotional and cultural wellbeing practices.

The Indigenous and Multicultural Academies program will work in collaboration with State Talent programs and Next Generation Academies to ensure alignment and shared development outcomes for all players.

AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager Narelle Long said: “We congratulate all players who have been selected in 2026 AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies.

“The Academies provide an advanced football experience for our emerging Indigenous and Multicultural footballers.

“Players will have access to a specialised development model focused on their individual needs to further assist them to reach their Draft potential, as week as tailored support to assist their growth off the field.

“We are thrilled to offer an expanded offering this year with the inclusion of an addition high-performance camp, which will also provide opportunities for 16-year-old players later in the year to support their progress into next year’s Talent Pathways programs.”

FEBRUARY HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAMP DETAILS 

The 2026 AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies will come together in Melbourne across the next fortnight to take part in a high-performance camp.

The girls squads will be in camp from February 20 to 22, followed by the boys squads from February 27 to March 1.

Each three-day camp will feature a showcase match that will pit the Indigenous Academy against the Multicultural Academy. Both matches will be played at Dingley’s Kennedy Community Centre, the new home of the Hawthorn Football Club.

The girls match will be played on Saturday February 21 from 2:30pm, with the boys match to be played on Saturday, February 28 from 2:30pm. Both games will be live streamed on the AFL Play YouTube channel.