Young people from all across the Kimberley are getting ready to travel from their towns and communities to be part of what is set to be the biggest Kimberley 9s Carnival yet. 

This year, the Kimberley 9s Carnival is again expected to break records, with 2026 expecting around 600 students down on Cable Beach, alongside some of their favourite Freo footy heroes! 

This year Freo AFLW Star, Áine Tighe will be attending for two memorable days of footy, culture, wellbeing and connection. 

The Kimberley 9s Carnival is about so much more than what happens on the field. At its heart are the young people, the moments they’ll remember, and the sense of belonging they feel. 

It’s made possible by the people and organisations who come together to give young people across the Kimberley an experience that can leave a lasting impact. 

This year, the Purple Hands Foundation is proud to bring RAC on board as a supporting partner of Kimberley 9s and the Connected program for the first time. Students will participate in their road safety workshops, built to improve students’ knowledge of seatbelts, helmets and bike safety. 

Our major partner, WA Police, has been part of the Kimberley 9s journey from the very beginning, helping us grow the carnival into something much bigger than sport. 

Their continued support allows us to use footy as a way to build stronger connections between police, young people and the wider community, while encouraging school attendance and helping reduce anti-social behaviour. 

The 2026 carnival also sees the return of Containers for Change, our Connected program delivery partner. Every student will take part in their Caring for Country workshops, building awareness of environmental sustainability with hands-on activation at the carnival itself. 

A big thanks also goes to our supporting partner Programmed, who have been pivotal in bringing Kimberley 9s to life for many years now. Their ongoing support, both behind the scenes and on the ground, helps with logistics, equipment and the many practical challenges of delivering an event of this scale.

None of this would happen without partner Kimberley Regional Service Providers. Their local knowledge and expertise, and tireless work behind the scenes, make the logistics of hosting the carnival possible. 

We’re also grateful to the Shire of Broome, whose funding supports the event, helping drive positive outcomes for local Broome kids and the wider Kimberley community, alongside logistical support that ensures everything runs smoothly.  

A big thank you goes to Broome Surf Club for their supply of facility access, equipment storage and a function space again this year, which plays an important role in helping us deliver the carnival. 

DP World are on board again this year to support us with transport logistics and deliver all of the carnival equipment to Broome.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, including the Goodeve Foundation and the Paz Family. Their belief in Kimberley 9s reflects their commitment to creating something truly special for young people in the Kimberley. 

Fremantle forward Pat Voss, who attended a Kimberley 9s Carnival for the first time in 2025, said the experience was one he wouldn't forget. 

“It's been unreal. I spoke to Freddyie (Michael Frederick) and Banners (Bailey Banfield) about it throughout the year, and how much they enjoyed it,” Voss said following last year’s Carnival. 

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

“The student dinner was unbelievable.

“I had a few of the kids sort of tag along with me, just the way they lit up, and then there was a few songs come on, a few of them dancing and that sort of thing. It was good fun. 

“I just wanted to get involved and have something outside of footy. 

“I got involved with the Intercept Program, and absolutely love that, and I think it's just giving back to the kids, you just see how much it means to them, how much they light up, how much they look up to us, and all that sort of stuff. 

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

Kimberley 9s is more than a carnival, it’s a celebration of what can happen when communities, partners and young people come together, and this year’s carnival is set to be one to remember.