AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is proud to announce BMD as its new Indigenous Engagement Partner, supporting the delivery of the AFLNT Women and Girls Education Program.
The partnership strengthens AFLNT’s long-term commitment to creating education, leadership and wellbeing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across the Northern Territory, with a strong focus on remote community engagement.
As part of the partnership, BMD will support the Women and Girls Leadership Program delivered through the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre, including a pilot initiative in Ngukurr designed to strengthen school connection, build confidence and support leadership development for up to 12 high school-aged girls.
The Make Your Mark program uses the power of AFL to inspire and empower young people to be the best they can be through structured learning, strong Indigenous mentorship and personal development.
The BMD women and girls' program supports young women to build self-confidence, strengthen their connection to schooling, leadership in the community and enhanced employment and training opportunities
Head of AFL Northern Territory Sam Gibson said the partnership with BMD will directly enhance the reach and impact of the program.
“BMD’s support allows us to invest in opportunities for young women in a meaningful and sustained way, particularly in remote communities like Ngukurr,” they said.
“This program is about creating opportunity, strengthening engagement with school, and supporting young people to see and build their own pathways.”
BMD General Manager - Strategy, Tim McMahon, said the partnership builds on BMD’s strong and growing presence in the Top End, backed by nearly 30 years of delivering critical infrastructure in the Northern Territory.
“BMD’s connection to the Territory extends beyond the infrastructure we deliver to the relationships we build, the opportunities we help create and the communities we support along the way.
“Football has a unique ability to bring people together, and this partnership supports programs that build connection, confidence and pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, on and off the field.
“We are proud to support engagement linked to the Make Your Mark camps, helping young women see what is possible for their future, whether that is in sport, education, construction, engineering or their local community.”
The Women and Girls Program began with community engagement in Ngukurr in late April, followed by a pre-camp preparation phase and a residential camp at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre from 25 - 29 May.
The Darwin-based camp will include leadership, wellbeing and football development activities, alongside exposure to employment pathways, cultural learning experiences and community organisations.