The country's most exciting young Indigenous footballers will take part in the 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous Academy, which was announced during the week.

The Academy will be comprised of the most talented Indigenous players aged between 16 and 18 from all across Australia.

The year-long program includes monthly online development sessions and offers ongoing educational and cultural support to help players grow both on and off the field.

The program's education modules incorporate the league's framework for social, emotional and cultural wellbeing.

Meanwhile, the football training modules will be delivered by current AFL and AFLW stars, including Norm Smith Medallists Bobby Hill and Jason Johannisen, dual AFLW leading goalkicker Darcy Vescio, and two-time Adelaide Crows premiership forward Danielle Ponter.

A highlight of the program is a three-day Melbourne-based camp, where players will take part in talent showcase matches.

The girls camp is scheduled for this weekend – running from Saturday June 7 to Monday June 9 – and will conclude with a match between the Indigenous and Multicultural Academies at La Trobe University on the final day.

The boys will attend a similar camp in Melbourne later this year in October.

It is hoped that initiatives like these will help the dwindling number of Indigenous footballers in the AFL.

According to the AFL, there are 62 Indigenous players signed to clubs this season, down from 87 players in 2020.

AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager Narelle Long said the Indigenous and Multicultural Academies play a vital role in nurturing young Indigenous and Multicultural talent to help them grow both as footballers and as individuals.

"The Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies provide a unique football experience for our emerging Indigenous and Multicultural footballers," Long told AFL.com.au.

"The program is designed to prepare our participants for a transition to the elite level of game by providing further on-field and off-field coaching and education to assist their development.

"In addition to retaining and transition our talented young footballers, the Academies also aim to bring back talent to the sport by providing new opportunities for our young athletes to fulfill their potential.

"The Toyota AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies are an extension of our Woomeras and Medleys programs for girls and Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs for boys, which many of our Academy participants featured in as part of their 15th year."

AFL Indigenous Girls Academy: Alli Allen, Brylee Anderson, Telaya Blacksmith, Evie Bingham, Lily Brittain, Summer Browning, Erin Conn, Jorja Davey, Bella Foster, Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn, Sienna Gerardi, Lakhyah Hill, Demi Holloway, Heidi Ireland, Mia Jones, Jayme Lasky, PJ Martin, Ella Moodie, Ameleia Murray, Aaliyah Mukhlis, Rikisha Nannup, Jyearah Newchurch, Shakana Rankine, Rianna Ryan, Sarcha Taylor, Myla Tucker, Jamarah Walley, Shaya Yarran, Zoe Zach.

AFL Indigenous Boys Academy: Tanner Armstrong, Alex Assemani, Russell Clark, Edward Darcy, Archie Devine, Robert Farmer, Raphael Geesu, Tyson Gresham, Basil Hart, Jaxon Hay, Harley Hicks, Jack Ison, Lachlan McGlade, Levi McClelland, Jermaine Miller, Caylen Murray, Franklin Murray-Wright, Damien Newry, Calvin Peris Chong, Kalen Russell, Jarryn Sambo, Sonny Smiler, Tyane Thomas, Cody Walker, Tom Wichman, Zackariah Young.