The Geelong Football Club has enjoyed a successful AFLW Community Camp, with players and coaches taking part in the annual festivities with the Colac and Warrnambool communities, proudly presented by Bulla.
Over a two day visit, the AFLW Cats and staff participated in a number of activities to strengthen their ties with the local community, giving back to the loyal supporters that continue to back the team each and every year.
It was also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Bulla's history and their operations, showcasing the extraordinary partnership between the Geelong Football Club and Bulla Dairy Foods.
As part of the community camp, Cats AFLW players Chantel Emonson, Nina Morrison, Sienna Tallariti and Rachel Kearns all visited the Bulla Innovation Centre in Colac.
The players received a tour of the factory, met with Bulla families and kids and got an insight into the importance of Bulla's importance as an employer within the Colac region.
There was also time for an ice cream tasting experience, followed by a question and answer segment with Bulla Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Martin.
Martin said the following about the partnership between the Geelong Cats and Bulla.
"For Bulla, this partnership has always been about more than football," Martin said.
"We’ve been part of regional Victorian communities for more than 100 years, so supporting programs that create opportunity, participation and connection for young people is incredibly important to us.
"What started with Geelong and their AFLW team has grown into a broader partnership focused on supporting the next generation across the communities we operate in and source our milk from."
Bulla has called Colac home since 1921, with over 100 years of commitment to the region. Today, Bulla employs more than 800 people and partners with over 270 dairy farmers across Victoria.
The Geelong Football Club and Bulla Dairy Foods have shared a long-standing partnership grounded in regional Victoria, community connection and a shared commitment to supporting future generations through sport.
Over the past seven years, the partnership has grown from supporting women’s football into a broader shared commitment to grassroots participation, youth pathways and regional community impact.
Programs such as AFLW and the Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy (NGA) help create confidence, connection and opportunity for young people across regional and diverse communities, both on and off the field. Together, Bulla and the Geelong Cats are helping strengthen participation, community connection and pathways for the next generation across regional Victoria.
As part of the community camp, Geelong players participated in a smoking ceremony by Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong man, Joey Chatfield-Berg, who highlighted the importance of different cultures embracing and supporting each other in times of need.
The players hosted an all-girls superclinic at Reid Oval, as well as more footy fundamental focused drills for Under-12 and Under-15's girls from the local area.
18 Schools were visited by the players for some Q&A sessions with the players, highlighting the work that goes into becoming and maintaining being a professional athlete.
