Following the success of the men’s community camp in Bendigo earlier this year, the Bombers AFLW playing group returned to the region for the 2025 AFLW Community Camp with the aim of connecting the playing group with regional communities, and to inspire and engage kids and teenagers.
With a strong connection to the region (driven with the Bendigo Bombers Supporter Group), the Club deepened its ties with the community by having the whole playing group involved in activities and programs designed to promote football participation, whilst also making it fun and enjoyable for those involved.
With an action-packed agenda, the day began with players visiting 23 schools (both Primary and High School) across the Castlemaine and Bendigo regions.
Whilst attending the school visits, students had the chance to quiz their favourite players with fun, insightful and humorous questions.
The Q&A was followed by a classic kick-to-kick on the school where the players were able to teach the students on how to improve their own football craft. Steph Cain taught her group the very important ‘laces to faces’ technique, which was a crowd favourite and left the students wanting more.
In the afternoon, the playing group were welcomed with a Cultural Ceremony delivered by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, the welcome begun with a smoking ceremony and acknowledged the cultural heritage of the region which added great meaning to the day’s activities.
The camp then continued with an Auskick & Superkick clinic at La Trobe University’s Sports Field in Bendigo, which saw a turnout of 125 pumped up participants, and despite the rain, the energy and excitement was strong. Kids were kicking, marking, and tackling on the muddy football oval, whilst sharing plenty of laughs and special moments with the entire playing group.
Senior player and Co-captain Steph Cain reflected on the Community Camp and how special of a day it was.
"We've been able to get out to the community here in Bendigo and divide and conquer lots of the schools." Cain said.
"There's a great uptake in girls footy and boys footy down in this region plus seeing a lot of Bombers gear out here has been really cool."
"Seeing the uptake and the drive from all the kids has been really inspiring to us all."
Cain also touched on how these visits can inspire the next generation of female footballers.
"Hopefully these kids are impressionable and they remember these moments, particularly for the for the young female footballers coming through, they remember that and have something to drive and strive for in the future."
"The attentiveness of all the students has been fantastic throughout the whole day."
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