AFL national diversity talent manager Pauly Vandenbergh says the competition's junior cultural leadership camp does more than develop skills for budding young footballers, it benefits entire communities.

This week the AFL and AFLW Indigenous and Multicultural academies convened on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for a week-long program of football, leadership, education, cultural and personal development sessions.

More than 70 of the best under-18 footballers from around the country attended, many of whom are already pushing for a spot in the top competitions.

The youngsters earned their way to the camps through an induction program earlier in the year followed by monthly online sessions.

Carlton AFLW player and multicultural ambassador Darcy Vescio, South Sudanese-born Richmond AFLW player Akec Makur Chuot and Yuat Noongar man and former Saints, Bombers and Port champion Paddy Ryder took the reins over sessions.

"The AFL and AFLW Diversity Academies provide a fantastic opportunity for participants to develop both as footballers and people," Vandenbergh said.

"The program features talented young Multicultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and girls from across the country who are developing wonderful football and life skills, which they can take back to their communities and football clubs.

"We have already seen incredible development within the program participants across the course of the year. It will be a wonderful experience for everyone to come together for the Leadership and Culture Camp, which will bring a memorable close to this year's program."

The AFLW camp ran Sunday to Wednesday before the boys arrived mid-week to take part through to Saturday.

The AFL Indigenous Academy and Multicultural Academy face-off in an exhibition match at Maroochydore Sporting Complex on Saturday, December 17.