Essendon has had a busy start to 2025 out in the community, delivering a wide range of programs and initiatives throughout the north-west metropolitan region of Melbourne and also in the Tiwi Islands.

The Bombers' commitment to its community has been on full display with several key events and ongoing programs making an impact in the first quarter of the year. 

Midsumma Pride March 

Essendon Football Club proudly participated in the 2025 Midsumma Pride March, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to LGBTQIA+ community.

Club representatives marched alongside thousands of participants through St Kilda, showcasing the club's support for diversity and inclusion in the community. 

Player Appearances in the North-West Metro area

The Bombers have been active in the community with AFL and AFLW player appearances throughout the north-west metropolitan region.

So far this year, players have visited 20 schools and 10 Auskick centres, connecting with thousands of young fans and aspiring footballers.

These visits have included skills clinics, Q&A sessions, and motivational talks, and a bunch of give aways inspiring the next generation of football talent. 

Moonee Valley Festival 

Essendon was a proud exhibitor at the annual Moonee Valley Festival, engaging with over 10,000 residents at our community tent.

The club offered activities for fans of all ages, including building your own bomber aeroplane to win giveaways, signing sessions with players, and access to all our Essendon merchandise. This festival represents an important touchpoint with the local community in one of the club's key catchment areas. 

Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) 2025 

The Club has confirmed its squad selection and coaching staff for the 2025 VWFL season.

We thanked Louis Rowe, the inaugural Captain of the Essendon squad who retired at the end of 2024. A successful two-day preseason camp was held at the NEC Hangar, bringing together 17 wheelchair athletes for intensive training and team bonding.

The Essendon wheelchair program continues to grow, with the squad featuring several returning players alongside new recruits eager to represent the Bombers.

Bomber Kids Kinder Program 

The popular Bomber Kids Kinder Program is now in full swing following the pilot in 2024.

This program supports building school ready champions by showcasing Australian Rules Football to pre-school aged children through fun, which supports the Victorian school’s curriculum in preparing children for the school. 30 sessions have been booked to date, which will see us visit over 700 children. 

Bomber Kids Program sparks joy at the Royal Children’s Hospital

Next Generation Academy (NGA) Activities 

Essendon's NGA has had a strong start to the year with their first Come & Try day attracting over 80 registrations from culturally diverse and First Nations backgrounds.

The Club has also selected our boys and girls squads for the AFL NGA Games, with participants undertaking a four-week block of high-performance training. This training focused on skill development, tactical awareness, and strength conditioning, preparing the young athletes for competitive matches.

Essendon's NGA teams performed admirably against all Victorian AFL clubs, showcasing the talent being developed through the academy system. The games provided valuable experience for participants, with several standout performances. To view Essendon’s performance, click here.  

School Academy Partnerships 

Essendon has kicked off their School Academy partnerships with Ilim College, Essendon Keilor College and St Bernard's College.

These partnerships provide structured football programs, coaching development, and career pathways for students interested in playing or working in sports.

The program currently engages over 200 students across schools, with regular training sessions and experiential learning experiences planned throughout the year. 

Community Event Participation 

The club was an exhibitor at the Hunter Interfaith Come & Try Event, promoting inclusivity across different faith communities through sport.

Similarly, Essendon participated in the What Ability Day, showcasing their commitment to making Australian Rules Football accessible to people of disability. Both events saw strong engagement, with club representatives facilitating modified football activities for participants. 

Tiwi Islands Trip 

The quarter concluded with a significant trip to the Tiwi Islands, focusing on coach development and checking in on the club's school program.

The trip included AFLW program head coach Natalie Wood and players Stephanie Wales and Maddi Gay, where we visited Wurrimiyanga, Pirlangimpi and Milikapiti.

The trip strengthened ties with the Tiwi community, a region with a rich football heritage that has produced several AFL players. We conducted coaching clinics, visited local schools, and engaged with community elders during our stay. 

Bombers back in Tiwi

Looking Ahead: Q2 2025 

The Essendon Football Club's community calendar remains full for the second quarter of 2025, with several exciting initiatives planned: 

  • May will see the start of the Victorian Wheelchair Football League season, with the Bombers aiming to improve on their 2024 performance. Fixture details here.  
  • Past Players Community programs will kick off, connecting our past players and their families in with the club through family functions, talent programs, and day camps for past players young ones.  
  • The Club will coordinate activations around the annual Dreamtime Game, working closely with The Long Walk foundation to promote reconciliation and celebrate First Nations culture. 
  • The AFLW Community Camp will be held in Bendigo from June 16-17, which bring the Club's women's team into direct contact with fans and community groups, inspiring participation in women's football across the region. 

To learn more about the Essendon Football Club community initiatives, please visit our community hub here.