Richmond will further build on the connection its Next Generation Academy Program has created with regional Victoria when the Club travels to Bendigo and Echuca for the 2018 Australia Post AFL Community Camp.

The Tigers will travel in two groups to the towns from Monday, February 12 to Tuesday, February 13.

The Club will work closely with AFL Victoria and its regional administration centres to provide football clinics and engage players with the broader Bendigo and Echuca communities.

Richmond’s NGAP region includes AFL Central Vic, Central Murray, Goulburn Murray, North East Border and Sunraysia– the Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers catchments.

The Program introduces the game of Australian Rules to both boys and girls, aged 5-18 years, who are from Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds. It aims to create a culturally affirming environment in order for them to thrive in the talent pathway.

The Tigers have heavily invested in their NGA region since its inception in 2016, drafting Mildura product Derek Eggmolesse-Smith as a Category B rookie this year.

Eggmolesse-Smith, 19, came to the Club’s attention in 2014 when he commenced Phase 1 of the Korin Gamadji Institute’s Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leadership (REAL) Program.

The former Bendigo Pioneer and Wentworth District footballer is also a product of the highly successful Laguntas program, which has seen nine participants drafted to AFL clubs since its inception in 2012.

Richmond also has a connection to Bendigo through its partnership with Bendigo Thunder.

The Tigers joined forces with the Thunder earlier this year to strengthen the talent and participation pathway for women in Victoria’s central and northern regions.

Further details of Richmond’s Community Camp will be communicated in early 2018.