Eighty of the most promising 16-and-under boys footballers with Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds from across Australia will come together in Melbourne next week.
The players will take part in the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs, which will run from Monday, September 18 to Wednesday, September 20.
The Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are elite talent development pathway programs designed to give participants an opportunity to develop their football skills and be involved in a leadership and cultural program to enhance their personal development.
The Flying Boomerangs squad comprises Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander talent, while the World Team is made up of players with a parent born outside of Australia. Both squads comprise 40 players from across Australia.
Players to have previously featured in the Flying Boomerangs program include Melbourne premiership defender Steven May and Richmond two-time premiership midfielder/forward Shai Bolton. All-Australian duo Adam Saad and Aliir Aliir are among the players to have previously represented the World Team.
As part of next week’s three-day program, players will take part in personal development and cultural workshops, football training sessions and recovery programs.
A highlight of the program will be double-header of matches at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Tuesday, September 19.
The matches provide an opportunity for players to push for selection for the 2024 AFL Diversity Academy programs.
AFL National Diversity Talent Manager Pauly Vandenbergh said: “We are thrilled to have the Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads coming together in Melbourne next week.
“Being involved in the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs is an important and exciting step in the talent development and journey of our participants both as young footballers and young men.
"One of the main goals of the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs is to create an environment for participants to experience the standards and expectations of talent pathway programs and to provide our young athletes with the tools to succeed in the talent pathway system.
“The programs are based on four key pillars: cultural identity, decision making, resilience and communication.
“For these young boys with diverse backgrounds to come together as a group, bond and learn from each other and experience the program is an important part of their development on and off the football field.”
Recently-appointed Port Adelaide development coach Jason Williams will coach the Flying Boomerangs, with former AFL players Patrick Ryder, Ben Davis and Joel Garner also part of the coaching panel, along with coaching mentor Michael McLean.
The World Team will be coached by Harmit Singh, alongside assistants Majak Daw, Trent Dennis-Lane, Ali Hamad and Goy Lok.
Continue below for the match details for Tuesday’s talent showcase matches between the Flying Boomerangs and World Team.
Flying Boomerangs vs. World Team
Tuesday, September 19
Game 1 commences at 1:00pm. Game 2 commences at 3:15pm
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham
HOW TO WATCH: Please click here to watch a live stream of the Flying Boomerangs vs World Team matches.
SQUADS: Continue below to view the Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads.
GAME 1
FLYING BOOMERANGS
| # | NAME | SURNAME | CLUB | STATE |
| 1 | Jermaine | Miller | SA | South Gawler Central |
| 2 | Crix | Johnston | WA | Booragoon |
| 3 | Deacon | McGuire | WA | Coolbinia |
| 5 | Jason | Butterworth | QLD | Gladstone Suns |
| 6 | Michael | Galway | VIC | Narre North Foxes |
| 7 | Keenan | Boi | VIC | Officer |
| 8 | Nathias | Miler | NT | Imalu Tigers |
| 9 | Basil | Hart | WA | Carey Park |
| 19 | Ricky | Ninyette | WA | Bullcreek Leeming |
| 10 | Zackariah | Young | SA | North Adelaide/Port Districts |
| 12 | Archie | Devine | TAS | North Hobart |
| 14 | Elijah | Buckskin | SA | Port Districts |
| 15 | Jayden | Conroy | QLD | Cairns North Tigers |
| 16 | Ricky | Ninyette | WA | Bullcreek Leeming |
| 20 | Mason | Kreuger | SA | Encounter Bay |
| 21 | Russell | Clark | VIC | Wentworth |
| 22 | Thomas | Phillips | WA | Scotch College |
| 23 | Tanner | Armstrong | VIC | Scotch College |
| 25 | Tyrone | Malthouse | NT | Federal |
| 32 | Jake | Caton | WA | East Perth |
| 34 | Kairyce | Lowah | NT | St Mary's |
WORLD TEAM
| # | NAME | SURNAME | CLUB | STATE |
| 1 | Teo | Cayento | SA | North Whyalla |
| 2 | Rishabh | Arcot | NSW | Southwest Sydney Ingleburn |
| 3 | Marcus | Prasad | VIC | Dromana |
| 4 | Khaled | El Souki | VIC | Yarraville-Seddon Eagles |
| 5 | Riki | Tucker | SA | Colonel Light Garden |
| 6 | Joshua | Burness | QLD | Yeronga |
| 7 | Alex | Arthur | NSW | Bermagui Breakers |
| 8 | Jerry | Kim | NSW | Kellyville Rouse Hill Magpies |
| 11 | Asher | Tan | SA | Brighton Districts |
| 14 | Mason | Tambe | SA | Athelstone |
| 15 | Tevita | Rodan | VIC | Aberfeldie |
| 16 | Jai | Saxena | VIC | Beverley Hills |
| 17 | Lachlan | Price | NSW | Balgowlah Suns |
| 20 | Jess | Bula | TAS | Lanceston |
| 25 | Xavier | Tuinauvai | NSW | Willoughby Mosman Swans |
| 26 | Ivan | Wilkinson | SA | Unley Jets |
| 30 | Tethloach | Liem | VIC | Eastpoint |
| 31 | Chase | Mijts | TAS | North Launceston |
| 36 | Damian | Steyn | VIC | Gisborne |
GAME 2
FLYING BOOMERANGS
| # | NAME | SURNAME | CLUB | STATE |
| 2 | Malakai | Mackie | QLD | Yeppoon Swans |
| 3 | Caylen | Murray | QLD | Maroochydore Roos |
| 4 | Kyran | Cole-Manolis | NT | Pioneer |
| 7 | Nathanael | Newman | NSW | Manly Bombers |
| 8 | Lazarus | Lamilami | NT | Goulburn Island |
| 9 | Lane | Fettell | NSW | North Broken Hill |
| 10 | Tyson | McGuire | WA | Coolbinia |
| 11 | Aiden | Way | SA | Port Augusta Souths |
| 12 | Laqueinton | Johnston | NT | Wanderers |
| 13 | Chanstan | Peris | NT | Nightcliff Tigers |
| 16 | Juraiya | Calma-Long | NT | St Mary's |
| 22 | Peter | Taylor | WA | South Hedland Swans |
| 24 | Tom | Wichman | NSW | Collingullie Glenfield Park Demons |
| 29 | Cody | Walker | VIC | Echuca |
| 30 | Edward | Darcy | NT | Palmerston Magpies |
| 31 | Harley | Bell | QLD | Cairns Saints |
| 33 | Jaxon William | Hay | TAS | Ulverstone |
| 38 | Heath William | Mercer | NSW | Willoughby Mosman |
| 39 | Tyane | Thomas | TAS | North Launceston |
WORLD TEAM
| # | NAME | SURNAME | CLUB | STATE |
| 5 | Toby | Whan | WA | Roleystone |
| 9 | Hok | Marial | VIC | St Albans |
| 10 | Joshua | Nathan | WA | Bull Creek Leeming |
| 11 | Zack | Hately | WA | South Perth Stingrays |
| 12 | Hau-Tze | Rock | NT | Nightcliff |
| 13 | Rhama | Evans | WA | Brigades |
| 18 | Russel | Parry | VIC | Whitehorse Colts |
| 19 | Dylan | Noble | WA | Victoria Park |
| 21 | Sioeli | Fangaloka | VIC | Mildura |
| 22 | Tyson | Black | WA | Rockingham Rams |
| 23 | Adam | El Houli | VIC | Northern Saints |
| 24 | John | Stephens | WA | Upper Swan |
| 27 | Jesse | Mellor | VIC | Geelong West |
| 29 | Lachlan | Everrets | VIC | Rowville Hawks |
| 34 | Chanro | De Beer | WA | Coolbinia |
| 33 | Wal | Wal | NT | Rovers |
| 34 | Chanro | De Beer | WA | Coolbinia |
| 37 | Garrison | Kenh | WA | Brigades |
| 38 | Bhan | Gatluak | NT | Rovers |
| 39 | Noah | Midani | WA | Rockingham Rams |