Young Indigenous, multicultural footy talent enter Gold Coast camps

Jarred Cross Published July 14, 2026 at 2.45pm (AWST)

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In addition to talent showcase games, the First Nations and culturally-diverse squads will take part in high-performance environment camps on the Gold Coast. (Image: Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

Future AFL stars are set to get an early opportunity to experience high-performance pathways, with the best young First Nations and multicultural footballers across Australia running out on the Gold Coast this week.

Flying Boomerangs and World Team 15-and-under sides enter camp for training, games, and Q and A's for exposure to the elite football environment.

Two talent showcase games between the squads are set for Wednesday.

There's plenty of AFL experience in the Flying Boomerangs' coaching group to mentor the young stars.

Roger Hayden, Chad Wingard, Nakia Cockatoo, Jake Neade, Joel Garner and Harrison Pepper will coach their 45-player squad.

Players have been selected from all corners of the country, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, and South Australia.

Alipate Carlile, Anton Vassallo, Chris Lynch, Matt Baseden, Andrew Donaldson and Shane Clough are the World Team's coaches.

"So many stars of our game have previously featured in the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs and we're thrilled to work with our 2026 participants on the Gold Coast this week," AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager, Narelle Long said.

Many of the players taking part in the camp are chasing a place in next year's AFL Indigenous and Multicultural Academies.

In 2026, these academies take part in year-long football development support programs including elite-level knowledge-sharing and high-performance camps.

In February the AFL announced a number of 16-year-old's will be invited to the second camp in September to aid their progression into talent pathways footy.

Next Generation Academy spots at AFL clubs are another aspect of the pathways for young talent.

*Former Fremantle Docker Roger Hayden is part of the Flying Boomerangs' coaching team. (Image: TONY MCDONOUGH/AAP Photos)*

"For many participants, the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are the first step into an elite football program," Ms Long said.

"The training, coaching and education offered to players throughout this week's camp is designed to provide them with valuable tools to equip them for the next steps in their journey through the AFL Talent Pathway."

Both squads will tour the Gold Coast Suns' facilities, with social, emotional and wellbeing sessions also hosted throughout the camp.

Late last month, Woomeras and Medleys 15-and-under girls First Nations and multicultural programs hosted their three-day high-performance camp in Queensland.

The boys' camp coincides with the final two rounds of this year's under 16 AFL National Development Championships.