The Cats launched their Next Gen Diverse Squad at Highton Reserve on Wednesday night.

The squad is one of the club’s Next Gen Academy Programs in partnership with AFL Barwon and the Geelong Falcons, which aims to discover and develop talent from diverse and indigenous backgrounds.

The Cats are working in two key regions, Barwon in Geelong and East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, which was launched in February.

Over 100 young people from across the Barwon region have registered for the 10-week development program to be led by coach Paul Hood.

“We have a great concentration of talent in the Barwon region and many young players have excellent development opportunities through a strong local competition, AFL Barwon’s interleague program and the Falcon’s academies,” Hood said.

“We are hoping the Next Gen Diverse Squad teases out a few more hidden gems that we can work with over the coming years.”

Cats defender and AFL multicultural ambassador Jake Kolodjashnij attended the first session to welcome the group.

“It’s great to see so many kids register for the diverse squad,” Kolodjashnij said.

"There are so many ways to get involved in AFL and I love to see more diverse communities embracing the game, I’m looking forward to seeing these players develop over the next 10 weeks."

Geelong Connected Communities has partnered with the Geelong Cats to ensure every participant has the best chance to succeed through their involvement in the program.

"Geelong Connected Communities is very excited to have this opportunity to partner with the Geelong Football Club in the establishment of the Next Generation Academy in the Geelong Region,” Pat Murnane from Geelong Connected Communities said.

"In the past four years Geelong Connected Communities has been involved in more than 400 similar community projects throughout Geelong, and thanks its Community Partner the Bendigo Bank and its other 43 partners and sponsors who have made this new partnership with the Geelong Football Club possible."