BY KATLIN MITCHELL
At my home Club, Nangiloc, I have gotten used to playing on an oval that is filled mostly by Kangaroo droppings, dirt and a little bit of grass.
But today, thanks to the Boorimul Program, I was able to play footy at Punt Road Oval, the home of the Richmond Tigers.
Boorimul is an All Indigenous U/18s Women’s football program delivered in partnership by AFL Victoria and KGI that brings Indigenous girls like myself together for three camps and three games of football a year.
Today, which was our third and final game, we played against the All Nations U/18s Team and were able to record a big win.
Playing together as an Indigenous Women’s team and having a program like Boorimul is such a good opportunity because we are able to meet people from outside our local area and usual friendship circles.
Girls come in from right across the state for the game and camps which is something so unique.
It’s a bit like KGI, but we also get to play some footy.
Playing footy is not something I ever thought I was going to be able to do, but there are now so many exciting pathways and programs that we have the chance to be a part of.
I think Boorimul creates a fantastic opportunity for Indigenous girls to have a go and show off our skills.
Football and camps like this are no longer something just for the boys and that’s something I’m so excited about going forward.
This may have been my last year taking part in the program, but something I will make sure of, is that other Indigenous girls from Mildura also make the most of chances like this.
I want them to all put their hands up to get involved and be a part of it.
I will tell them, that it’s not just for football, but to continue to make long-lasting friendships.
I am so grateful I had the chance to do Boorimul and also KGI, where I have met some of my best friends.
Together us girls are always learning off each other and helping one another grow. It’s great to feel so connected with each other.
Before this program, none of us even knew each other, but now we talk daily.
This is a program I am so lucky to have done.
Katlin Mitchell has starred for Nangiloc’s Senior Women’s team in AFL Sunraysia this season, being named among the team’s best three players in seven of her eight appearances.
The 18-year-old will relocate to Melbourne for a six-week trial with Richmond’s VFLW team this summer.
The Indigenous midfielder has also shown an interest in joining the Richmond Institute of
