It has been another big year for the BioCATS program, which celebrated its 10th birthday this year.

Planned and executed between the Geelong Football Club and BioLAB: Victorian Bioscience Education Centre, and proudly supported by Bisinella Developments, the learning program aims to educate students outside the classroom, discovering the application of sciences and maths in real life scenarios.

Geelong Cats AFLW players were involved with the program over the course of the year, with Patrick Dangerifield, Mikayla Bowen and Georgia Clarke all making special appearances, either in person or virtually, while Dangerfield and Maddy Keryk were again ambassadors for BioCATS.

Bowen, who is also part of the Geelong Cats Community Team as inclusion and diversity coordinator, said players were thrilled to be able to participate in Cats Community programs like BioCATS and give back to the community that supports them.

“It’s wonderful to be able to be involved in programs that have enjoyed such longevity and that are held in such high esteem in the community,” Bowen said.

“As elite athletes, science and maths plays a big role in our day-to-day lives, from tracking our GPS data to ensuring we’re getting the right nutrition and hydration to optimise our performance.

“BioCATS is a great way to combine students’ passion for sport with learning in an engaging format. Having this program for students to come into the Deakin Cats Community Centre to study the maths and science of footy – with a healthy edge – is one way we can play our role in helping the Geelong community thrive in building healthy, active lifestyles.”

BioCATS, now in its 11th year, is delivered from the Deakin Cats Community Centre at GMHBA Stadium for students in Grades 5 and 6, and has assisted nearly 15,000 students across Victoria.

Bisinella Developments Director Richard Bisinella reflected on the partnership with great pride.

“Bisinella has sponsored BioCATS since 2015 and we are proud to continue our support of the program in 2022,” Mr Bisinella said.

“We are delighted students have returned to GMHBA Stadium this year so they can enjoy the full benefits of this hands-on program, in an interactive way.”

BioLAB director Yvonne Van Der Ploeg said, “BioLAB is proud to work with the Geelong Cats and Bisinella to deliver the BioCATS program.

“Science and maths careers are growing and changing every year, and to be able to inspire students to engage in these subjects in a different way, with the help of program ambassadors Patrick Dangerfield and Maddy Keryk, is a wonderful privilege.”