For the second year running, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs partnered with Young Academics Early Learning Centre during NAIDOC Week in an inspiring day of immersive experiences highlighting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
In what was a vibrant celebration of culture, community and connection, Bulldogs players Josh Curran (Dharug Tribe) and Blake Taaffe (Bidjigal Tribe) were on hand as the young learners developed an understanding of the world’s oldest living cultures.
Curran and Taaffe Visit Young Academics for NAIDOC Week!
The day included a series of interactive and educational activities designed to engage children through storytelling, art, sensory exploration and traditional games.
The highlight of the morning of course was the yarning circle story time, where Bulldogs players joined children in reading Indigenous stories that emphasised the importance of listening and sharing.
Finally, the children and players stepped outside to learn and play Indigenous-inspired games, reinforcing the themes of connection, movement, and cultural respect.
“Our collaboration with the Bulldogs is more than just community engagement; it’s about embedding an understanding and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures from an early age,” said James Maclean-Horton, Young Academics Chief Marketing Officer.
“At Young Academics, every child is encouraged to explore and embrace diverse cultures, identities and histories. Events like this during NAIDOC Week reaffirm the belief that cultural education is pivotal in shaping empathetic and informed individuals.
By integrating cultural education into early learning, Young Academics and the Bulldogs together are dedicated to nurture the next generation to value diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.
Curran and Taaffe both praised the initiative, highlighting the importance early education around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and practices.
“Celebrating NAIDOC Week this week, it was good to come out here to Young Academics and get to interact with the young kids. I thought it was really nice,” Taaffe said.
“The theme is ‘Next Gen’ so I thought that was really cool, being able to come out here and spend some time with the kids.
“I think it’s really important getting out here and teaching them things about our own culture.”
“I’m a proud Indigenous man,” Curran stated.
“To run these kids through my culture through activities was pretty cool.”
For more information on Young Academics’ programs, visit youngacademics.com.au. To learn more about the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ community initiatives, visit bulldogs.com.au.
