Singleton’s Hayden Oliver has just returned on an AFL high after taking part in the Sydney Swans First Nations Academy trip to the Northern Territory in July.
The 15-year-old spent eight days on tour with the group, taking part in two games in Alice Springs and Marn Grook with the Mutitjulu community, while immersing in the local culture and learning from the community.
Players were selected following games between the QBE Swans Academy and the ARA First Nations Academy earlier this year.
Hayden was selected to join the First Nations training squad for the first time in 2025. He currently plays for the Maitland Saints when numbers for Singleton Roosters could not be achieved.
He has travelled to Killarney Vale once a week as part of the program and knew the Uluru trip may have been on the cards and was delighted to be selected for this once in a lifetime experience.
He knew what the experience would bring to his game after taking part in two AFL tours to Vanuatu.
A lack of technology, basic housing and a playing resources were obvious and then there was the weather to contend with, waking up to hot dry days after very cold nights.
Hayden plays in the Under 17s age division in Maitland and between that and his love of rugby league where he plays for Greta Branxton in the Under 16s, he is one busy boy, training every afternoon of the week.
-DI SNEDDON
