The Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy proudly took part in the 2025 Under 15 NGA Games in the April school holidays, with two fantastic days of football at Crofts Reserve in Altona.
Held on Wednesday 9 April (girls) and Thursday 10 April (boys), the event brought together some of the most promising young Indigenous and multicultural footballers from across the state, with both of our Cats teams playing four matches against other club academies.
More than just a competition, the NGA Games were a celebration of talent, identity and community.
Our squads featured 30 boys and 25 girls – the largest representation of any club on their respective days – and included 28 players identifying as Indigenous and 27 from multicultural communities. The teams were drawn from 22 community football clubs and 24 schools across the region, highlighting the depth and reach of talent in our area.
The girls team was guided by AFLW stars Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald, whose presence, mentorship and energy were a huge inspiration. For the boys, the team was led by Academy & Pathways Manager Chris Lynch and Aaron Black.
Across the two days of footy, what shone through most was the energy, connection and pride shown by every young player who pulled on the Hoops. Each game offered a new opportunity to learn, to grow and to embrace the challenge of representative football in a fun and competitive environment.
Among the many standout performances, Daniel Rezaei Mahalati (Geelong Amateur) earned MVP honours for the boys, impressing with his consistency, ball use and work rate across the day.
For the girls, Remi Sliwa (Torquay) was awarded MVP after a series of strong performances, showing poise and creativity in every game she played.
Other standout performances for the boys were from Oska Rose, Bol Reech, David Roydhouse (all from Newtown & Chillwell), Sonni Andrews (Ocean Grove) and Jordan Groves (Alvie).
On the girls side, Taylah Rodaughan (Peninsula Sharks), Grace Moore (Barwon Heads), Olivia Lasky (Lara) and Haylie Cadman (Belmont Lions) all delivered strong performances, with their ability to apply pressure and find space earning praise.
The NGA Games serve as a stepping stone for emerging talent, with standout players progressing into AFL Talent Pathways and the Geelong Falcons programs. For aspiring young footballers looking to take the next step, there will be an opportunity for boys and girls born in 2011 and 2012 to trial for the Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy during the July school holidays.
For more information on Geelong's Next Generation Academy, visit the link here.
To be eligible for the Geelong NGA program, participants must:
- Must Reside in the Geelong Cats zone in Victoria or the Northern Territory; AND
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous)
- Was born in an African, Asian or non-English speaking country (Multicultural criteria met)
- Has at least one parent born in an African or Asian country (Multicultural criteria met); OR
- Has both parents born in a non-English speaking country other than Africa or Asia (Multicultural criteria met)
NGA Games – Boys Results
Game 1 - Geelong Cats 2.2.14 def by Collingwood Magpies 6.6.42
Goals: Jyda Randle 2
Best: Daniel Rezaei Mahalati, Oska Rose, Jordan Groves, Jaawi Hunter, Sonni Andrews, David Roydhouse
Game 2 - Geelong Cats 4.2.26 def Western Bulldogs 3.2.20
Goals: Zack Monohan 2, Jaawi Hunter 1, Jaxon Braddock 1
Best: Jordan Groves, William Wyllie, Daniel Rezaei Mahalati, Lucian Joyce, Sonni Andrews, Ezra Perera
Game 3 - Geelong Cats 4.1.25 def by Melbourne Demons 6.3.39
Goals: Moses Rongdit 2, David Roydhouse 1, Adam Jervies 1
Best: Lucian Joyce, Olli Steinfort, James Richardson, Bol Reech, David Roydhouse, Moses Rongdit
Game 4 - Geelong Cats 2.1.13 def by Carlton Blues 12.3.75
Goals: Rohaan Kanyalkar-Thomson 1, Jordan Groves 1
Best: Oska Rose, Lucian Joyce, James Richardson, Daniel Rezaei Mahalati, Bol Reech, Kai Crawley
Boys MVP: Daniel Rezaei Mahalati
NGA Games – Girls Results
Game 1 - Geelong Cats 0.0.0 def by Hawthorn Hawks 4.5.29
Best: Haylie Cadman, Remy Sliwa, Taylah Rodaughan, Emma Henderson, Grace Moore, Ebony Gillett
Game 2 - Geelong Cats 3.4.22 def by North Melbourne Kangaroos 4.4.28
Goals: Remy Sliwa 1, Macy Maddock 1, Olivia Lasky 1
Best: Remy Sliwa, Taylah Rodaughan, Olivia Lasky, Macy Maddock, Grace Moore, Emma Henderson
Game 3 - Geelong Cats 0.0.0 def by Carlton Blues 11.5.71
Best: Taylah Rodaughan, Remy Sliwa, Grace Moore, Amelia Upton, Emma Henderson, Kirra Mcencroe
Game 4 - Geelong Cats 1.0.6 def by Western Bulldogs 7.6.48
Goals: Stephanie Jacgung 1
Best: Olivia Lasky, Haylie Cadman, Macy Maddock, Indanah Kartawa, Ebony Gillett, Stephanie Jacgung
Girls MVP: Remi Sliwa
