The Geelong Cats have been named as one of the inaugural recipients of the AFL's First Nations Impact Fund alongside Port Adelaide, securing support for Walking Together: Geelong Cats' Top End Mentoring Program.
The First Nations Impact Fund, launched in May 2026 as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, is a key initiative under the AFL First Nations Strategy and reinvests royalties from Sir Doug Nicholls Round merchandise into club-led initiatives that deliver outcomes for First Nations people and communities and contribute to long term growth and sustainability of First Nations engagement within the AFL.
The Geelong Cats and Port Adelaide will each receive $75,000 to support their nominated First Nations initiatives, with both clubs contributing co-investment alongside AFL funding.
A First Nations-led mentoring and pathways initiative, Walking Together aims to strengthen the club's connection with communities across the Top End of the Northern Territory and enhance support for young people within Geelong's Northern Territory Next Generation Academy (NGA) region, which includes East Arnhem Land, Katherine and Daly River.
Supported through AFL funding and club co-investment, the program will establish a network of Northern Territory-based ambassadors and mentors who will support talent identification, mentoring, community engagement and pathway opportunities for young people and families across the region, including in football, education, employment and leadership.
The ambassador network will include former Geelong players with strong Northern Territory connections, helping provide local knowledge, lived experience and year-round support for young people, families and communities across the club's NGA region.
The program builds on the Geelong Cats' engagement in the Northern Territory since 2007, which has included football clinics, school visits, leadership programs, women's football development activities and talent pathway initiatives across East Arnhem Land and the broader Top End.
Recognising that a club based in Geelong cannot maintain a regular presence in remote Northern Territory communities through occasional visits alone, Walking Together will provide a dedicated local connection between communities, AFLNT and the Geelong Cats to support year-round engagement and pathway activity.
AFL’s General Manager of First Nations Engagement and Inclusion Taryn Lee said:
“Geelong and Port Adelaide are proud of their rich First Nations histories. Both clubs continue to celebrate the significant contribution of First Nations players past and present, while creating opportunities for the next generation.
“Through their applications, both clubs demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for First Nations peoples through culturally informed, club-led initiatives aligned to the AFL’s First Nations Strategy.
"While these investments are specific to each club and their communities, the learnings and insights generated through these initiatives will be shared across the industry, ensuring the benefits extend beyond the individual projects and help inform future First Nations initiatives across footy.
“We are delighted to support these projects and the club’s work to build strong relationships that will increase the growth and participation of our future First Nations players.
Geelong Cats CEO Steve Hocking said:
"This funding gives us the opportunity to strengthen our connection with the Northern Territory through a First Nations-led program focused on mentoring, pathways and meaningful community engagement.
"We’re excited about the opportunity this program will create for young people in remote communities to connect with mentors who understand their backgrounds and experiences, while also giving our past players an opportunity to connect with and support the next generation.
"As our NGA footprint has expanded, we have a responsibility to think about how we engage genuinely and consistently. This program will be an important part of building that ongoing relationship."
