Community Foundation

The event showcased the powerful role football continues to play in uniting communities.

By Western Bulldogs Community Foundation

Last weekend, Mission Whitten Oval hosted the NextGen Unite Cup, a celebration of youth, culture and community spirit.

Hosted by NextGen Unite (NGU) – a youth-led organisation empowering South Sudanese Australians through sport- and proudly supported by the Club, and the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (WBCF), the event showcased the powerful role football continues to play in uniting communities and creating pathways for young people.

Now in its third year, and for the first time held in Melbourne’s west, the NextGen Unite Cup marked an important milestone in the partnership between the Club, NGU, and WBCF. Together, the organisations worked to deliver an event that not only celebrated the game, but also championed representation, leadership, and belonging.

For many of the young athletes who took to the field, the day was about more than football; it was about identity, opportunity, and inspiration. Many grew up watching AFL without seeing players who looked like them. On Saturday, they became the role models for the next generation, showing what’s possible when community, opportunity, and determination come together.

The day featured a Women’s AFL 9’s game, an under 18’s Men’s game and a Senior Men’s Game, alongside a festival atmosphere with cultural dancers that brought families, supporters, and community leaders together. With music, culture, and connection at its heart, the event embodied the spirit of the west. Inclusive, proud, and united.

For the Western Bulldogs and the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, supporting the NextGen Unite Cup is part of our broader commitment to diversity, empowerment, and social inclusion. Through collaboration with community-led organisations like NGU, the Foundation continues to strengthen its mission to create positive, lasting impact across the region.

Events like the NextGen Unite Cup reaffirm the shared belief that sport has the power to unite; connecting cultures, building confidence, and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.

You can watch the ABC News feature on the NextGen Unite Cup here.