AFL loving Indigenous youth are set to benefit with the renewal of a long-standing partnership agreement between Transport for NSW and AFL NSW/ACT until 2028.
The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program aims to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and girls aged between 12 and 16 from communities across NSW, through three-day camps where they build their leadership and football skills while also encouraging them to be road safety advocates within their local communities.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from the expertise of AFL and AFLW stars during the program, with GWS GIANTS AFL player Toby Bedford and Sydney Swans AFLW player Zipporah Fish joining participants at the camps in 2026.
Executive Director of Transport Safety at Transport for NSW Chadi Chalhoub said the partnership, which has been in place for more than 20 years, helps support AFL loving Indigenous youth while delivering important road safety messages.
“Sadly, Aboriginal people are almost three times more likely to be killed and nearly twice as likely to be seriously injured in a crash compared to non–Aboriginal people,” Mr Chalhoub said.
“We are committed to lowering road trauma and a crucial part of that is through road safety education – including the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, so I am really pleased to announce the renewal of this partnership between Transport for NSW and AFL NSW/ACT for another three years.
“The latest group of future young leaders to take part in the Program hit the AFL fields in Blacktown late last week and have had the opportunity to not only run through skills and drills with AFL players, but to also learn about important road safety topics including bike, pedestrian and seatbelt safety.
“Our goal is to empower these young people with knowledge and skills to address road safety issues within their communities in an interactive and engaging way,” Mr Chalhoub said.
Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said the partnership has already seen more than 400 young people take part.
“We are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnership with Transport for NSW and their continued support of the AFL NSW/ACT Indigenous Youth Leadership Program for another three years,” Mr Varasdi said.
“The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program is more than footy. Since 2014, this program has enabled hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and girls from across the state to build their leadership and Australian football skills and return home as road safety advocates for their communities.
“This program has a profound and meaningful impact on the lives of our participants, and we are deeply grateful to Transport for NSW for their ongoing support.”