Thursday evening marked the conclusion of the 2025 Kimberley 9s AFL Beach Carnival, with around 500 primary and secondary school students from the Kimberley region taking part across the two-day event. 

Day two focused on secondary students, following a similar format to day one, with students enjoying a day of football fun in the sun on Cable Beach while learning valuable lessons in health and wellbeing, and taking part in cultural learning sessions. 

Day one capped off with a special dining experience at Broome Surf Club, prepared by WA Good Food Guide and Heyder and Shears. Students were treated to specially crafted meals inspired by local and native ingredients, set against the iconic backdrop of Cable Beach, while enjoying a special guest performance by Noongar hip-hop artist Flewnt.

After the carnival finished on day two, students came together at Broome PCYC for rap workshops with Flewnt, where they learned to use the drum machine, write lyrics, and then put it all together to express themselves through hip hop. On top of that, there was a friendly basketball tournament, and free haircuts by The Bush Barber.  

Fremantle forward Pat Voss, who was also attending his first Kimberley 9s event, recapped the fun he’d had over the two days. 

“It’s been unreal,” Voss said. 

“I spoke to Freddy and Banners throughout the year about how much they enjoyed it last year, and it was definitely something I was keen to come to and experience. 

“It’s been unbelievable, I’ve absolutely loved it. It’s been one of my favourite trips in footy, that’s for sure. 

“The Dining Experience at the end of day one was unbelievable. The kids sort of got wined and dined, a lot of the kids haven’t been to a café or a restaurant, had a waiter wait on them or anything like that, so it was pretty cool.

“It’s well documented how skilful and talented some of the boys are, we see that all around the AFL with some of the Indigenous talent, but I sort of said yesterday at the Dining Experience that some of the girls here are just unbelievable. 

“They’ve been holding a footy since they were young, and now they’ve got the AFLW to look at, with clear pathways and a career for them.” 

For Voss, getting the opportunity to experience the Kimberley 9s festival was something he’d been working towards all year. 

“It was something that came up at the start of the year, just for something to do away from footy and get a little bit of purpose,” Voss said. 

“I haven’t done a whole heap of stuff away from footy, and I don’t really have one sort of passion. 

“It was a conversation with Emma Pass (AFL Player Development Manager), who was formerly part of the Purple Hands Foundation, and I just wanted to get involved and have something outside of footy. 

“I got involved with the Intercept program (another program the Purple Hands Foundation runs), and I absolutely loved that. I think it’s just the giving back to the kids, seeing how much it means to them and seeing them light up. 

“To come here (to the Kimberley 9s) and do it on a bigger scale has been unreal.” 

As always, the annual Kimberley 9s event would not be possible without countless volunteers and partners who moved mountains and invested in the program.

EVENT PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS      

MAJOR FUNDING PARTNERS  

WA Police: Our major funder since 2021, using the power of sport to break down barriers and assisting with umpiring, student interaction and more. 

Containers for Change: Delivering 'caring for country' workshops for all students in the lead up to the carnival and interactive workshops at the carnival.  

Shire of Broome: Carnival funding and logistics support.  

Kimberley Regional Service Providers: Carnival funding and logistical support  

Goodeve Foundation: Carnival funding  

Variety WA: Student Dining Experience funding and volunteering  

Harcourts and the Paz Family: for providing funds to make the carnival more inclusive  

Programmed: Carnival funding, logistical support and volunteering  

Kimberley Marine Support Base: Carnival funding  

Scott Bader: Carnival funding   

Broome Surf Club: Providing their space and equipment to help the carnival run smoothly  

THANK YOU ALSO TO THE MANY ORGANISATIONS WHO CHIPPED IN TO HELP  

DP World: Transport logistics partner, assisting with getting all of the equipment to Broome   

WA All Abilities Football Association: for again ensuring everyone can participate and running inclusive football games at the carnival and providing volunteers to assist with set up and pack down.  

Garnduwa: Carnival assistance and volunteers   

WA Football: On the ground assistance  

Broome PCYC: Supporting with accommodation and providing catering to all the travelling students  

Safestyle sunglasses: Providing 550 pairs of sunglasses to the event  

Yawuru: For all your guidance and support   

Cable Beach Club Resort: Providing discounted staff accommodation  

SEDA Group: Providing a team of student volunteers  

Woolworths: Catering, on the ground support   

Bankwest: Providing caps for giveaways   

RAC: Providing footballs for giveaways   

KAMS & Broome Headspace: Carnival workshops promoting education and awareness of mental health strategies.  

BRAMS: Carnival workshop promoting anti-smoking and vaping  

Alive & Kicking Goals: Education around antibullying and leadership   

Broome Youth and Family Hub: for delivering some cultural learning to our travelling students  

Coates Hire: Equipment donation  

Curtin University: Giveaways participants