The Essendon Football Club will further increase its support of the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) by sponsoring the EDFL Junior Competition in 2025 and beyond.
From this year, the competition will be branded as ‘EDFL Junior Competition presented by Essendon Football Club’, as the Bombers continue to invest in its local community and support grassroots sport in the North-West corridor.
It’s an investment that has borne fruit for the Bombers with two of last year’s exciting draft crop in Isaac Kako (Northern Saints/Pascoe Vale) and Jayden Nguyen (Avondale Heights/Aberfeldie) each hailing from the EDFL as juniors, as well as being participants in Essendon’s Next Generation Academy programs.
The EDFL Junior Competition has a long and detailed history with the Bombers, highlighted in both elite programs, with Peter Wright and Jayden Laverde (AFL), as well as the trio of Amy Gaylor, Amelia Radford and Maddy Prespakis (AFLW) all having represented the league in their junior careers.
Having established a new framework for the Club’s pathway programs and community strategy in recent years, Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo is excited by the opportunities ahead for both parties as a result of the official sponsorship and working relationship.
“We’re really pleased to be able to announce our partnership with the EDFL Junior Competition,” Vozzo said.
“The EDFL plays a crucial role in the development of young players within our NGA and broader North-West corridor, and we’ve been the beneficiary of that just this year in our AFL program with Isaac (Kako) and Jayden (Nguyen) coming aboard from our NGA Academy program.
"We have also had many other important players over the years across our AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW squads that have come through the same pathways. We’re committed to playing our part in supporting the development and growth of junior football in these areas.
“Following on from our current work in the Essendon area with local sporting clubs and the Windy Hill redevelopment, we’re very excited to work closely with the EDFL through this partnership and provide our support to a cornerstone of our local football community.
“We’re proud of our connection to this area and it’s something we want to continue well into the future. Given our longstanding history with the EDFL, this partnership is a very natural and important fit.”
EDFL CEO Andrew Johnston echoed the sentiment of Vozzo, highlighting the importance of the Dons’ presence within the local community and aiding the growth of the sport within the Essendon Next Generation Academy zone.
“This partnership will bring together two strong organisations with a shared commitment to excellence and community engagement,” Johnston said.
“The Essendon District Football League and Essendon Football Club will work collaboratively to support and promote grassroots football in the North-West of Melbourne.This partnership will enhance the league’s ability to shape the next Maddy Prespakis and Isaac Kako through our junior pathways to hopefully one day represent the Bombers.
“We are confident that this partnership will bring great benefits to both organisations and to the broader football community. The EDFL looks forward to working with Essendon FC to achieve our shared goals and create a positive community impact.”
In recent months, Essendon has thrown added support behind several local sporting groups in the surrounding area.
The Club’s connection with the Essendon Sporting sections has showcased the broad community impact the Club can have, whilst also continuing its redevelopment works of Windy Hill. With this sponsorship, the Bombers have taken another step forward in the community space.
