We are proud to be supporting the talent pathway women’s academy and the inaugural NT Thunder women’s team, which is playing its first home game in the Victorian Football League in Darwin this weekend.

Over the past decade, we have supported a number of programs including NT Thunder, pathway and remote programs, the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre education program and now most recently the female talent pathway and the inaugural VFL Thunder women’s team.

Through this partnership, Power and Water is helping to create pathways for both male and female players who may not have previously had the opportunity to be involved in AFLNT talent programs for a number of reasons including socioeconomic and geographical factors.

Power and Water will assume the naming rights to the talent pathway women’s state academy, which gives aspiring junior and senior football players from across the Territory the opportunity to succeed at the highest level possible through tailored programs based in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Around 25 per cent of the Thunder women’s team are Indigenous and have relocated from the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.

The program is often a stepping stone for players who want to enter the National Talent Pathway, which could lead to them being drafted for the AFLW Competition. Last year in the first AFLW competition, nine players from the Territory joined the Adelaide Crows team that went on to win the inaugural premiership.

Power and Water is a foundation partner of the Thunder women’s initiative alongside the Northern Territory Government, Westpac and TIO.

Chief Executive Michael Thomson presented NT Thunder player, Morgan Johnston, with her player's gear ready for the team’s first home game on Saturday.