LEARN.GROW.BELONG.
About
Enhance education and career outcomes for young people through the power of sport.
Born out of the role and value of sport and the influence the North Melbourne Football Club plays in connecting people across different ages, genders, and cultures; The Huddle was established in 2010 as the community arm of the Club in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation and the Australian Multicultural Foundation.
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It was established to engage, support, and empower young people to build on their strengths, and contribute to more socially inclusive communities.
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The Huddle works with sports to help them be a leader in the community by inspiring young people to learn, grow and belong.
Board
Michael Scalzo
Chairman​
Michael is the Managing Director of Scalzo Food Industries. This is a private, family-owned group with assets located in Australia and New Zealand across farming, primary production, value added manufacturing and FMCG.
Michael also sits on the family foundation, The Grace and Emilio Foundation, that is committed to ensuring that children and young people at risk of not meeting their full potential are given the support they need to thrive.
Kate Trainor
Director
Kate is Chief Growth Officer of sports data and technology company Champion Data.
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She brings extensive experience across sports strategy, media and commercial direction, leading business development and cross-functional teams in complex stakeholder environments. Kate has worked extensively with the AFL, but most recently has driven Champion Data’s international expansion across the US, UK and Europe.
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Kate now serves on the NMFC Integrity Committee and as a Director of The Huddle, continuing the Trainor family’s longstanding association with the Club.
Jennifer Watt
Director
Jennifer is the CEO of the North Melbourne Football Club and is currently the only female CEO of an AFL Club.
Jennifer has over 25 years’ experience in the sports industry in a variety of roles, covering a range of management, commercial, marketing and communications disciplines, including 14 years at Melbourne Football Club and then as General Manager, Commercial Operations and Partnerships at the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), managing relationships with Cricket Australia, the AFL and Concert promoters, along with overseeing the commercial, hospitality, marketing, communications and special event portfolios for the MCG.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Commerce and was awarded the AFL’s prestigious Graeme Samuel Scholarship in 2016 for her achievements as a Club executive.