Inside Geelong’s special trip to East Arnhem Land as more than 250 participants named in Michael Long Cup squads
Geelong embarked on a trip to engage with Indigenous communities in East Arnhem Land — and they linked up with a former Cats. Plus, see every Michael Long Cup squad.
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Geelong returned to its Next Generation Academy region of East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, helping pick a squad for the upcoming Michael Long Cup and running community footy programs in the area.
Led by Geelong Next Generation Academy coach and former Cats AFLW coach Paul Hood, Cats staff ran a handful of sessions in remote locations around Nhulunbuy, more than 4000km from Geelong in the north of the NT.
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The Cats were also taken on a special trip by former Geelong and Western Bulldogs player Nathan Djerrkurra, who hails from the region.
Geelong has access to Indigenous talent in the East Arnhem Land region through its NGA, supported by Viva Energy, and Hood helped select the side that will compete at the Michael Long Cup from August 18-19.
Participants from all over the NT will take part in the competition, and the Cats recruiting team will be keeping an eye on the East Arnhem Land talent.
Hood said the passion for Aussie rules is evident in their culture and that participation is strong in the region.
He said one of the highlights was the rousing Welcome To Country they were given by the Yolngu people, the traditional owners of East Arnhem Land.
“The most important thing was we received a proper Welcome To Country from the traditional owners and it was just brilliant the way that we were guided and supported throughout the entire trip,” Hood said.
“And former Cat Nathan Djerrkurra was brilliant in showing us his country and taking us to some places that the traditional owners were aware of so we were really privileged to be on that trip with Nathan.
“We had five sessions that we ran in the community, we took a community senior club for training and we did a number of junior clinics up there and some games in some of the remote communities around Nhulunbuy. It was fantastic to be out and about again and we received a terrific reception from both the traditional owners there and some of the families that were working away from home.
“Part of our intention to go up there to go look at the players and see if there’s those who want to participate at the Michael Long Cup and a large part of it was about promoting the game back up there as well as promoting Geelong Football Club and re-establishing our presence in the region.
“The interest is huge in the game is fantastic. Young and the old love AFL and love the sport, particularly love playing. The Yolngu people play football in such an engaging way, it is terrific to watch. Some of our staff joined in the training sessions and had some fun. Participation is quite high, obviously like everyone there was a bit of a lull during Covid but it has stepped back really well.”
Originally published as Inside Geelong’s special trip to East Arnhem Land as more than 250 participants named in Michael Long Cup squads
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