The Essendon Football Club is continuing its strong affiliation and support of the Tiwi Islands and metro Melbourne’s north-west corridor with the launch of the First Nations Women’s Pathway Program.

The program, in partnership with Coles, aims to help young Indigenous women integrate and thrive in a professional footballing environment and utilise the world-class facilities at the NEC Hangar.

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First Nations Women's Pathway Program

Together with Coles, the Bombers are paving the way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on and off the field.

Bombers VFLW vice-captain and women’s football development co-ordinator Courtney Ugle said the program was a critical component to ensuring Indigenous females have exposure into life as an elite footballer.

“(This program) aims to cater to the 14- to 16-year-old cohort,” Ugle told NT News.

“We want to be working with these young female athletes over a duration of two to three years … so that if an opportunity comes up where they are playing in our VFLW or AFLW program, they are actually ready and can thrive in this environment.”

Courtney Ugle with (L-R) Tiwi trio Jamie-Lee Puautijimi, Aggie Singh and Freda Puruntatameri. (Photo: Essendon FC)

Ugle believes the program is also crucial in helping young Indigenous females make a smooth transition into a lifestyle they aren’t usually used to.

“The biggest one is these young girls living off Country and being away from their home, being away from their culture, their family, what they know,” Ugle said.

“A lot of these girls really still live quite traditionally and … they are essentially walking in two worlds.

“I know myself how hard it is being away from home and missing out on significant celebrations, not being able to get home for sorry business – this stuff is really, really important and the family and cultural connection that these girls share is really a priority.”