AFL star signs on as Ambassador ahead of Diversity Talent Programs
AFL NSW/ACT is pleased to announce Errol Gulden of the Sydney Swans as the code’s new Diversity Talent Ambassador. He joins Aliesha Newman (Sydney Swans) in the role to guide and support First Nations and multicultural participants in AFL NSW/ACT initiatives.
Gulden, who has Turkish heritage, is enjoying his best season in his young career, the former Maroubra Saint is averaging 25 disposals and five tackles a game, and has also booted 14 goals. Although not Indigenous, Gulden has long looked up to First Nations players in the AFL and will relish the opportunity to work with young leaders in the football community.
“I grew up watching the likes of Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes playing for the Swans and am now fortunate enough to have Buddy as a teammate,” Gulden said. “I’ve long admired the way First Nations players ignite the game and to be part of fostering the next generation and passing on some of what I know is a privilege. I am also excited to see some of the next great multicultural talent coming through the ranks and look forward to sharing some footy insights with them.”
Hannah Davis, AFL NSW/ACT’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said of the new Ambassador: “It’s wonderful to have such an exciting AFL player join AFL NSW/ACT as a Diversity Talent Ambassador. Errol will be well known to players in our diversity talent pathways and he will be an excellent role model for these aspiring young leaders.”
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Diversity Talent Leadership Program – Youth Boys
Gulden’s first opportunity to meet with young footballers from NSW and the ACT is at the Diversity Talent Leadership Program – Youth Boys, which brings together the Multicultural Youth Leadership squad and the First Nations Youth Leadership squad.
The Leadership Program gathers 44 talented leaders involved in AFL aged 14-16 for an elite-style training camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen (14-16 July). They will learn skills and tactics critical for their acceleration as footballers but will also be led through personal growth sessions which will help them on and off the field.
Transport for NSW has long supported the Indigenous Leadership Program with First Nations players and has partnered with AFL NSW/ACT to deliver its road safety awareness sessions since 2022. Many of the participants will be looking to get their learner and provisional driver licence shortly, and this session educates them on being safe on and around the road.
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First Nations Squad
The First Nations squad in the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program is made up of 22 players from across NSW and the ACT, with Countries including Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri and Darug represented.
NAME | CLUB |
Jude O’Neill | Camden Cats |
Lane Fettell | North Broken Hill Bulldogs |
Charlie Colwell | Manly Bombers |
Crawford Hinton-Neal | South Broken Hill Football Club |
Jordan Toogood | Kellyville/Rouse Hill Magpies |
Coen Clark | Newcastle City Junior AFL Club |
Noah Dunn | Deniliquin Rovers |
Callum Munns | Bathurst Giants |
Joshua Austin | Central Broken Hill Football Club |
Tom Wichman | Collingullie Glenfield Park Demons |
Max Slade | Gungahlin Jets |
Myles Sweep | Kellyville Rouse Hill Magpies |
Koby Schneider | Lavington Panthers |
Caleb Libbis | Bomaderry Tigers |
Bailey Stewart | Orange Tigers |
Hudson Roche | Nelson Bay Marlins |
Kade Edwards | South Broken Hill Roos |
Jesiah Smith | South West Sydney JAFC |
Nathanael Newman | Manly Bombers |
Axyl Foley-Guerin | Ainslie Tricolours |
Brian Budby | Ainslie Tricolours |
Heath Mercer | Willoughby Mosman Swans |
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Multicultural Squad
The multicultural squad includes 22 players who have at least one parent born overseas. Some of these countries include Egypt, South Korea, and the USA.
NAME | CLUB |
Xavier Tuinauvai | Willoughby Mosman Swans |
Vlad Van Eeden | Manly Bombers |
Thaleson Dominis | South West Sydney JAFC |
Samuel Crawley | Willoughby Mosman Swans |
Rishabh Arcot | South West Sydney JAFC |
Marley Smith | Willoughby Mosman Swans |
Lincoln Kellett | Pennant Hills/Westbrook Demons |
Lachlan Price | Balgowlah Suns |
Kael Brown | Westbrook/Pennant Hills |
Jonah Woods | Batemans Bay Seahawks |
Tennyson Sales | Leeton Whitton Crows |
Jerry Kim | Kellyville Magpies |
Isaac Luke | Port Macquarie Magpies |
Hudson King | Westbrook Pennant Hills Demons |
Elijah Swiggs | Moama Magpies |
Conrad Blackwell-Smith | Glebe Greyhounds |
Billie Burns | Wagga Swans |
Banjo Davies | Albury Tigers |
Ash McLean | Tuggeranong Valley |
Archie Cosgriff | Wollondilly Redbacks |
Alexander Arthur | Bermagui Breakers |
Abe Race | Glebe Greyhounds |
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Squads were assembled with the support of the GIANTS and the Sydney Swans, whose Academies played a large role in identifying and talent testing these players.
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Support from Transport for NSW
Transport for NSW has been an invaluable supporter of AFL NSW/ACT’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program since 2014 and has imparted wisdom onto many of our young leaders about the importance of road safety and developing leadership in their community by reinforcing road safety messages to help our state move towards zero road trauma by 2050.
Thank you for Transport for NSW’s ongoing support of our young and talented leaders.
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