The program gives opportunities and access to indigenous and multicultural children from Western Victoria. 

Children ranging from 13 to 19 years old were invited to the induction day.

Goolum Goolum and the Next Generation Academy have struck up a partnership with the Wimmera set to be heavily involved in the program for years to come. 

Goolum Goolum health and well-being programs manager Dean O’Loughlin said the day included plenty for the young footballers to enjoy.

“They saw all of the Whitten Oval and went in the players’ dressing rooms,” he said.

“They also had a session with Western Bulldogs CEO Gary Kent and he talked everything Bulldogs. 

“Things like the club’s humble beginnings to now be reigning premiers and how he hopes the children can be apart of that.”

There had been emphasis from the Western Bulldogs for female footballers to come along to the next academy program. 

O’Loughlin said the academy and program benefits the young footballers in many ways. 

“It gives them exposure to high level coaching by high level coaches, they receive life coaching as well,” he said. 

“It also gives them exposure to things they don’t normally have the chance to see or do. 

“They travel to Melbourne, to the city, and rub shoulders with kids they wouldn’t normally.”