At the heart of the Geelong Cats Community lies a powerful belief: that greatness can be nurtured anywhere — on the field, in the stands, and far beyond. Over the past two AFLW seasons, we've brought this spirit to life through a grassroots initiative empowering junior female football clubs across the Barwon region, enabling them to raise vital funds while celebrating the game we all love.
Aligned with AFLW home games at GMHBA Stadium, five local clubs are selected each season to host a sausage sizzle. Everything is provided — all the gear, the ingredients, the support — and every dollar raised goes straight back into their own female football programs.
In 2024, Armstrong Creek Sharks were among those chosen. Their goal was simple but urgent: to provide proper mouthguards for their female players. Many girls had none, some were using hand-me-downs from their brothers, and shockingly, a few were resorting to cardboard as makeshift protection. But that all changed thanks to their hard work and the backing of this initiative. The Sharks raised enough money to buy bright pink mouthguards for every single girl at their club. And to celebrate this incredible achievement, Geelong Cats AFLW players joined the Sharks at training to hand-deliver both the mouthguards and guernseys — a moment filled with pride, joy, and unity.
Moments like these are not just heartwarming — they’re transformative. Over just two seasons, this initiative has raised $15,000, helping clubs invest in new equipment, uniforms, and the vital support staff needed to grow the female game.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are determined to expand this impact even further.
We invite you to consider making a meaningful contribution — a gift that directly supports grassroots initiatives like this. Together, we can give more young girls the tools, confidence, and opportunities they deserve to thrive in sport and in life.
To find out more about our Geelong Cats Community initiatives, view our 2024 Social Impact Report. Click Here
