Aboriginal Football Programs

The WAFC Aboriginal Football Program provides programs and events to increase involvement of Aboriginal people and communities in all facets of the football industry. Our program also strives to promote community harmony, reduce antisocial behaviour, improve health and develop employment opportunities. The Aboriginal Football Program has three key priority areas on which projects are based:

• Community Engagement
• Player Recruitment and Retention
• Education and Employment

Nicky Winmar Carnival

The Nicky Winmar Carnival was originally created to provide young Aboriginal youth with another platform to enter the WA Football talent pathway. The carnival targets disengaged players with the aim of getting them back into the football system at club level and in development squads. 

The Inaugural cup was held in 2007 and consisted of five teams.

The Nicky Winmar Carnival provides participants with a direct opportunity to:

• Participate in a structured WA football marquee event
• Achieve coaching and umpiring accreditation
• Re-engage with educational and sport participation programs
• Connect with AFL/WAFL mentors and role models
• Potentially be identified for WAFL development pathways
• Represent the state through selection into the AFLs National KickStart Championship

The overall goal of the carnival is to increase the amount of Aboriginal youth playing at community club level and representing their WAFL Zones in development squads.

The Nicky Winmar Carnival is played in a round robin format over one day. Competing teams are based on WAFL metro and regional zones. All teams are coached by Aboriginal coaches.

The carnival also provides participants and coaches with the opportunity to be selected into the WA KickStart U15 State Aboriginal Squad who compete at the national KickStart National Championships. 

WAFL NAIDOC Round

The WAFL NAIDOC Round was instigated by South Fremantle and Claremont instigated the event in 2007. NAIDOC Round at the WAFL coincides with the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week celebrations, which are held annually across Australia to celebrate the heritage, achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

All WAFL clubs playing in the Round will wear uniforms designed to represent the heritage of the clubs and their indigenous players.  

AFL Indigenous Round

Today the AFL Indigenous Round is a celebration of our country's Indigenous culture and players that have shaped Australia's Game. A game that unites us all, players and fans, standing strong and proud for the past, present and future generations.

The WA Football Commission proudly supports the AFL Indigenous Round through assistance in promotion and coordination of the round to the local community.