Celebrating culture and connection: Young Academics and Bulldogs united for NAIDOC week

In a vibrant celebration of culture, connection, and community, Young Academics Early Learning Centre once again partnered with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to mark NAIDOC Week 2025, delivering a powerful day of learning, storytelling and play that honoured the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Now in its second year, the partnership saw Bulldogs NRL players Josh Curran (Dharug Tribe) and Blake Taaffe (Bidjigal Tribe) visit the children at the Young Academics centre for the day to participate in immersive experiences, centred on NAIDOC Week.

The program offered children the opportunity to explore Australia’s First Nations cultures through hands-on, age-appropriate activities that foster understanding and respect. From traditional games and sensory experiences to art, storytelling and yarning circles, the day highlighted the importance of cultural education in the early years.

The highlight of the morning was a yarning circle story time, where Curran and Taaffe joined children in reading Indigenous stories that celebrated listening, sharing, and connection to Country.

Following the storytelling, children and players stepped outdoors to participate in Indigenous-inspired games, reinforcing themes of movement, teamwork, and cultural pride.

“I’m a proud Indigenous man,” said Bulldogs player Josh Curran.

“To run these kids through my culture through activities was pretty cool.”

Blake Taaffe echoed the sentiment, saying:

“The theme is ‘Next Gen’ so I thought that was really cool, being able to come out here and spend some time with the kids. I think it’s really important getting out here and teaching them things about our own culture.”

The collaboration between Young Academics and the Bulldogs reflects a shared commitment to inclusive education and cultural awareness from the earliest years.

“Our collaboration with the Bulldogs is more than just community engagement; it’s about embedding an understanding and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures from an early age,” said James Maclean-Horton, Chief Marketing Officer at Young Academics.

“At Young Academics, every child is encouraged to explore and embrace diverse cultures, identities and histories. Events like this reaffirm our belief that cultural education is pivotal in shaping empathetic and informed individuals.”

By integrating cultural education into early childhood settings, Young Academics and the Bulldogs are helping to nurture a generation of young Australians who value diversity, respect identity, and celebrate inclusion.

To learn more about Young Academics’ programs, visit here.

For information on the Bulldogs’ community initiatives, visit here.