Smiles on dials as Bulldogs women visit hospital, schools

AS part of the 2025 AFLW Community Camp, Western Bulldogs players were in Ballarat last week to visit schools, and patients in the Ballarat Base Hospital’s Paediatric Ward, host junior club clinics, and take part in a question and answer session.

Having met children and families spending time in the hospital, defender Mua Laloifi said happiness had gone both ways.

“The amount of joy we get to try and bring some joy to the kids is the most rewarding part of our visits,” she said.

“It’s so good to come out and embrace everything in Ballarat, see the kids and bring some joy to them.”

The children on the ward were presented with new Western Bulldogs scarves, pencil cases, rulers, drink bottles, and mini footballs.

Nurse unit manager of the Paediatric Ward, Luke McEldrew, said special visitors like the Bulldogs women offer a moment of respite for sick kids.

“Our patients and staff in the Paediatric Ward are always excited when we receive a visit from the Western Bulldogs,” he said.

“For the children we are caring for, they are not only a welcome distraction from the challenges of a hospital visit but are a wonderful reminder that they can kick goals – whether that is on the footy field, or in other areas of their life – irrespective of their gender, race or background.”

The first school the AFLW players visited was Bungaree Primary School, and Laloifi said she loved the country feel.

“They had about 25 children at the school, and almost the same amount of animals,” she said. “When you come from Melbourne, that’s very different.

“We got to do a couple of footy clinics and answer some of their questions.”

One of the club clinics the Doggies women took part in was for girls, run by AFL Victoria.

“They had an Auskick and Superkick competition, and there were close to 40 girls participating,” Laloifi said.

“From an AFLW perspective, that’s really nice to see the growth within regional cities as well.”