More than 50 of the most talented 16-and-under boys footballers with Indigenous or multicultural backgrounds from across the country are in Melbourne this weekend.

The players are competing in a range of activities as part of the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs, culminating in a match between the two squads on Sunday October 9 at Gosch’s Paddock at 2pm. 

The showcase of young talent will feature a number of players sure to be in the mix to have their names called out in future NAB AFL Drafts. Among them are sons of former AFL greats, including Flying Boomerangs players Kayde Pickett (son of Byron Pickett), Cody Walker (son of Andrew Walker) and Kobe Williams (son of Mark Williams). 

While the Flying Boomerangs comprise Indigenous talent, the World Team is made up of players with a parent born outside of Australia. 27 players are on each squad. 

Players to have previously featured in the Flying Boomerangs program include two-time North Melbourne best and fairest Jy Simpkin and Geelong premiership midfielder Brandan Parfitt. Meanwhile, All-Australian duo Aliir Aliir and Adam Saad have previously represented the World Team.

AFL National Diversity Talent Manager, Pauly Vandenbergh, said: “It’s fantastic to have the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs back for the first time since 2019, after two years of the program were cancelled because of the pandemic.

“For these boys with diverse backgrounds to come together as a group, get to know each other and experience the program, which finishes with a match between the two squads, is really special. 

"One of the main goals of the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs is to provide a culturally safe environment for the players and staff involved to experience the standards and expectations of the mainstream talent pathway programs, enabling our young people to better transition and remain in the talent pathway system.

“There is no doubt some of these boys will go onto push for spots on AFL lists in years to come. Whether they go onto AFL careers on not, being part of the Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs is an important and exciting part of their development and journey as young footballers and young men."

As part of the four-day program, in addition to the match on Sunday the players will attend the NAB AFL National Combine to observe, participate in workshops, train at RSEA Park, home of the St Kilda Football Club, and interact with current and former AFL players and staff. 

Jason Williams will coach the Flying Boomerangs, with Joel Garner, Jethro Calma-Holt and Michael McLean also part of the coaching staff.

The World Team will be coached by Harmit Singh, alongside assistants Wassim Rafihi, Alex Stoikos and Boris Todorovic.

Continue below for match details and the Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads.

Flying Boomerangs vs. World Team
Sunday October 9, 2022
Gosch’s Paddock, 2pm
Please click here to watch a live stream of the Flying Boomerangs vs World Team match.

About the program
The national Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are designed to enable opportunities for our young diverse male talent to develop on and off the field and prepare them for the transition to their respective mainstream state and territory programs and the National Diversity Academies for their 17th and 18th years, leading up to the NAB AFL Draft. The programs are structured around four key pillars: Football, Leadership, Culture and Health/Wellbeing.