AFL NSW/ACT is celebrating 20 years of its AFL Indigenous Academies in 2025, coinciding with the annual NAIDOC Cup footy gala which began today.
Taking place today (Thursday 31 July) at Blacktown International Sports Park, the NAIDOC Cup unites nearly 500 students from seven partner high schools and eight primary schools from the Blacktown and Campbelltown regions.
All participating high schools in the NAIDOC Cup are connected to the AFL Indigenous Academies, while the primary schools are either linked via the AFL’s Community Connect program or ladder up to the secondary schools.
The Indigenous Academies – a partnership that is proudly led by the AFL in collaboration with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) – prioritise connection, mentoring, and educational support, aiming to increase school attendance, improve Year 12 graduation rates, and support students’ transition to full-time study or employment.
The AFL Community Connect program has been running for nearly six months, with a dedicated AFL NSW/ACT staff member working to strengthen local schools and community groups by increasing access to Australian Rules Football and fostering a sense of belonging.
In what has become a significant event on the AFL NSW/ACT calendar, the NAIDOC Cup sees students participate in a round-robin format of AFL Nines that utilise modified rules suitable for primary and secondary students. The competition for the high school students includes semi-finals and culminates in a grand final.
The NAIDOC Cup has been running since 2012, with 2025 marking the second-year primary school students have also had the opportunity to lace up their boots and have a kick.
Fittingly, the day also incorporates an array of engaging cultural celebrations and community activations including a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, traditional music and dance, painting, food tastings, as well as interactive stalls from local universities and healthcare providers.
The Indigenous Academies is led by Matthew Keevil-Scott, who as a former student of the Academies, brings a personal understanding of the program’s impact on young lives.
“While footy is important, fostering connection, engagement, and providing pathways for our students is our main focus,” Keevil-Scott said.
“Having come through the Academies myself, I understand firsthand how powerful this support can be in shaping a student’s future, and it’s a privilege to now lead the program that supported me.
“I’d like to thank the National Indigenous Australians Agency for their support as well as the NSW Aboriginal Land Council – without their dedication and commitment events and programs like this wouldn’t be possible.”
Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said: “The NAIDOC Cup is a special event on our calendar, and we’re excited to see all the students pull on their jumpers and represent their school in what is always a fun day for everyone involved.
“At the heart of the NAIDOC Cup is our Indigenous Academies, and we’re proud to celebrate the program’s 20th year in 2025 – and to have Matthew, a former participant of the program who has firsthand experience of its benefits now helping shape its future, is incredibly valuable.
“In New South Wales currently we have nearly 3,500 participants who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which makes up 5.7 per cent of our total figure. This has grown by 22 per cent over the last year.
“We have also seen that NAB AFL Superkick has been well received by Indigenous communities with increased participation. We have more than 500 Superkickers so far this year, which is up 90 per cent on last year’s total.
“We know we still have plenty of work to do to help increase the connection and participation rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our game, but these initiatives like the NAIDOC Cup and our Indigenous Academies play a major role in making a positive impact.”
This year’s NAIDOC Cup also saw AFL NSW/ACT collaborate with WSYD Moving – a systems wide initiative tackling inactivity and inequity in Western Sydney – on a special panel discussion event hosted alongside the footy gala at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Attended by several businesses from across Western Sydney, guests listened to a dynamic conversation focussing on the structural barriers faced by First Nations people in accessing sport, education, and well-being; equity in access and opportunity, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, and the role of cross-sector collaboration in closing the gap and building community-led solutions that last.
Panellists included Western Sydney University Associate Professor Andrew Bennie, proud First Nations woman and NAB Executive for Business Engagement Claire Beattie, and Darius Neven – a proud Kamilaroi man and acting Deputy Director of Aboriginal Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District.
The NAIDOC Cup also serves as an important staff development day for AFL NSW/ACT, with all Sydney-based staff attending and participating in cultural learning sessions as they assist with the event.
Participating schools in the 2025 AFL NSW/ACT NAIDOC Cup:
- Rooty Hill High School
- Plumpton High School
- James Meehan High School
- Macquarie Fields High School
- Ingleburn High School
- Sarah Redfern High School
- Eagle Vale High School
- Crawford Public School
- Doonside Public School
- Eastern Creek Public School
- Madang Avenue Public School
- Colyton Public School
- Ambarvale Public School
- Curran Public School
- Guise Public School