Now in its fourth year since launching in 2022, the ‘We Are Freo’ Gala Day once again delivered a fun-filled day of football and cultural celebration for more than 300 multicultural students from across Perth.
A number of Fremantle’s AFLW stars were on hand to share their knowledge and passion for the game, including 2024 Fairest and Best winner and All-Australian ruck Mim Strom, along with teammates Dana East, Meg Kauffman, Evie Parker and Georgie Brisbane.
Strom says seeing the growth and excitement of the students at the Gala Day was a highlight.
“We’ve got schools from all different parts of Perth, all different backgrounds, and schools that have never played football before, so it’s really nice to introduce them to that,” Strom said.
“It’s great to see kids shine who have literally never played football before, but you can see their athletic ability, and they just light up when they start playing.
“My favourite part is that I feel like it gets bigger and bigger each year, and more schools want to be involved in the program after hearing about it from other teachers and schools that have gone through it.”
The We Are Freo program runs throughout Terms 2 and 3 of the school calendar year, engaging students from schools across Perth. The initiative combines interactive classroom activities, online learning, and hands-on football skill sessions and terminology, all designed to build confidence, teamwork, and understanding of the game.
This year’s Gala Day marked the culmination of the program, bringing all participating schools together for a day that celebrated both football and cultural diversity.
Students showcased their skills in six rounds of matches held across Victor George Kailis Oval and Legacy Oval at the Club’s Cockburn headquarters.
Off the field, there was plenty to enjoy, with a photo booth, heritage dot map activity, and culture tables where students proudly displayed items representing their diverse backgrounds.
Partner school Wanneroo Secondary College students took on leadership roles as team coaches, while SEDA Diploma students supported the event as game-day managers, helping make the day a true community effort.
The ‘We Are Freo’ Gala Day continues to grow each year, inspiring young people from all walks of life to get involved, have fun, and ensure that Australian Football and the Fremantle Dockers are a vehicle for community connection and inclusion within the wider Australian community.
