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The Huddle is excited to announce its new strategy for 2024-2026, designed to empower all young people to feel like they belong in the places they learn, work, and play. < Back The Huddle launches new 2024-2026 strategy 16 Sept 2024 The Huddle is excited to announce its new strategy for 2024-2026, designed to empower all young people to feel like they belong in the places they learn, work, and play. Our commitment is to enhance education and career outcomes for young people through the power of sport. We’re focused on reimagining education and career programs, creating safe and welcoming spaces, delivering engaging experiences, and showcasing the talents of every young person. To achieve this, our key areas of focus are: Operational Excellence: We’re streamlining our processes and empowering our team to efficiently deliver on our strategic outcomes. Bold, Progressive, and Embedded in Community: We’re enhancing our programs and increasing accessibility to engage more young people more frequently through schools, communities, and digital platforms. Grow Sustainable Funding: We’ll diversify our funding sources and strengthen partnerships to support our current work and explore new opportunities. Tell Our Story: We’ll amplify the voices and stories of young people in our programs to raise awareness and highlight our collective impact. We’re thrilled about this next chapter and eager to see the positive changes it will bring. To view the strategy, click here . Previous Next

< Back Game Changers Pitch Event - Intake Two Intake Two of Game Changers for 2023, in Werribee for the first time in the programs history. Previous Next

< Back Huddle Holidays - Spring '23 All the best moments from the most recent Huddle Holiday's Previous Next

< Back Welcome to AFL North Melbourne Kangaroos v St Kilda Previous Next

Connecting the future footballers with elite athletes in Tasmania. < Back AFLW Community Camp Inspires the Next Generation Ella Marsh 30 Aug 2024 Connecting the future footballers with elite athletes in Tasmania. North Melbourne Football Club and The Huddle's annual AFLW Community Camp connects elite athletes with aspiring young footballers and local coaches in Tasmania. This year’s event partnered with McDonald’s and provided a unique platform for elite athletes to engage with the Tasmanian community. This annual event not only inspires young female footballers but also supports local players, coaches, and umpires with developmental opportunities. The 2024 camp featured: Engagement with 30 unique junior girls' football teams. Training sessions and match simulations for 10 senior Tasmanian women players. Skill-building clinics for 67 Under 12 girls and support for nine local female umpires. Prior to the AFLW Community Camp, there was a noticeable gap in opportunities for young female footballers in Tasmania to interact with elite athletes and experience high-level training. The camp aimed to address this gap by: Providing junior girls and aspiring athletes with direct engagement from AFLW players. Offering training and development opportunities to senior Tasmanian players, coaches, and umpires. Fulfilling an obligation of the AFLW’s agreement with Events Tasmania to promote and support the growth of the game in the state. The AFLW Community Camp effectively bridged the gap between elite football and local community members by: Engaging Young Athletes: AFLW players attended junior girls' games, actively participating as goal umpires, coaches, and supporters. This interaction provided motivation and inspiration for the young players, reinforcing that a career in AFLW is within reach. Training Opportunities: Local Tasmanian athletes experienced high-level training session and match simulation alongside AFLW stars, enhancing their skills and understanding of elite-level play. Coaching and Umpiring Development: Tasmanian coaches and umpires benefited from specialized training session led by AFLW and AFL experts, improving their knowledge and skills in their respective roles. The AFLW Community Camp achieved significant outcomes, fostering a sense of community and belonging among participants: Youth Engagement: Over 67 girls attended the Under 12 all-girls clinic, where they engaged in drills and activities with AFLW players, significantly boosting their confidence and enthusiasm for the sport. Player Development: 10 senior Tasmanian women players participated in match simulations, enhancing their game readiness and experience. Coaching and Umpiring Enhancement: nine local female umpires gained valuable insights from AFLW umpire Sam Ritchie, and coaches improved their techniques through workshops with Darren Crocker and his team. “The North girls were amazing tonight! Please pass on a massive thank you to all of them from the Sandy Bay Lions. Loved that they learned their names and were so interactive.” - Emma, mum of Sandy Bay Lions U9’s player Lulu. “As elite athletes and players of AFLW, I think it’s really important that we are in the community and can show these young girls that there is a pathway to the elite level.” - Nicole Bresnehan. The AFLW Community Camp aims to build on its success by enhancing the program each year. The focus will remain on deepening community connections and providing continuous development opportunities for local athletes, coaches, and umpires. Don't miss the opportunity to experience AFLW live! Join us for the upcoming AFLW games in Tasmania: Week 5: NMFC vs Richmond, UTAS Stadium, Sunday, September 29th, at 1:05 PM Week 7: NMFC vs Sydney Swans, North Hobart Oval, Sunday, October 13th, at 1:05 PM Get your tickets here and support local talent while witnessing the excitement of AFLW action! Previous Next

They put their kicking skills and goal accuracy to the test < Back The Grange have a crack at GOAL! Kangaroos Jasper Menor 25 Feb 2025 They put their kicking skills and goal accuracy to the test At The Huddle, we’re always looking for ways to make GOAL! Kangaroos even better! To refine and improve our latest lessons, we headed to The Grange for a live demo, where students put their skills to the test with two exciting footy-inspired STEM challenges. First up was Kicking Machine , where students designed and built their own machines to kick a ball as far as possible. Creativity and engineering skills were on full display as they experimented with different designs to launch the ball the greatest distance! Next, it was time for Goal Accuracy —a hands-on lesson where students kicked from nine different angles to analyse the best positions for scoring with the highest percentage. It was all about precision, technique, and a bit of friendly competition! The students gave it their all and absolutely crushed it, showing off their problem-solving skills both in the classroom and on the field. A huge thanks to The Grange for having us—we can’t wait to see more students kicking goals with GOAL! Kangaroos! Learn more and grab these free lessons HERE! Previous Next

Three years of Game Day experiences with Templestowe Park Primary School! < Back Templestowe Park Primary School take on Game Day! Cobie Spencer 18 Sept 2024 Three years of Game Day experiences with Templestowe Park Primary School! On the September 3, the fourth and final Grade 5 class from Templestowe Park got their turn to experience Game Day. Twenty enthusiastic Templestowe Park Primary School students visited The Huddle with their teacher, buzzing with excitement at the mystery of the day ahead. Students had an action-packed day, solving STEM challenges to ‘power up’ their Shinboners in our Simulation Stadium. Students had help from three AFLW players- Tahlia, Kate, and Zoe, who supported students with their activities and gave firsthand insights into the life of an elite athlete, answering student questions all about the dedication and resilience it takes to reach the top. The AFLW players’ time was a highlight for many students, with one student sharing, “I loved how the players came to meet us and helped us with some activities.” Thank you, Tahlia, Kate and Zoe! Thanks to their teamwork, collaboration and resilience, the students came out victorious against their opponents, the Specky Bots. They were rapt with this achievement! After the day, students had a lot to say about their trip to The Huddle – with one student loving that the program was “active and talkative and very interactive”, and another student highlighting “how cool the simulation stadium was.” Their teacher, Jared, liked that the program had a “Variety of activities, [was] very inclusive, [and that] students learnt in an engaging environment.” This is our third year of working with Templestowe Park Primary School, who have attended Game Day with each of their Grade 5 classes every year since the program piloted in 2022! We are so grateful for the ongoing connection we share with Templestowe Park, its teachers, and students. We can’t wait to see them at Game Day again in 2025 so we can keep working together to help their students learn, grow and belong! Want to know more about how to get your class involved in Game Day in 2025? Check out https://www.thehuddle.org.au/gameday Bookings for 2025 open in Term 4 – don’t delay and miss your chance to experience Game Day! Previous Next

The Huddle saw a group of four young individuals participate in the Youth Parliament initiative. < Back YMCA’s 38th Youth Parliament initiative 1 Aug 2024 The Huddle saw a group of four young individuals participate in the Youth Parliament initiative. In 2024, The Huddle saw a group of four young individuals participate in the YMCA’s 38th Youth Parliament initiative, a program designed to empower youth to find their voices and advocate for change. Over four months, participants from both the City of Melbourne and Wyndham engaged in various sessions where they brainstormed and drafted their proposed bill. With the guidance of a taskforce mentor, the group decided to propose the Education Reform Bill 2024, aiming to improve education conditions, accessibility, and resources. Their goal was to address an issue they were passionate about and that would benefit their communities. The young people attended a six-day residential "Week of Youth Parliament" camp, which included training days that provided an in-depth look at parliamentary processes, from democracy to voting and debating. The group described this experience as enlightening, giving them a deeper understanding of how legislation is passed. During the sitting day at Parliament House Melbourne, in the presence of the Minister for Youth, State MPs, and other esteemed individuals, The Huddle team passionately debated and advocated for their bill. They emphasised the importance of improving access to education, reducing the costs of school supplies and technology to enhance learning, and ultimately promoting sustainability and economic security for the youth and their future. Young people stated that the experience inspired them and helped them develop essential skills such as leadership, communication, and confidence. The Huddle recognizes that this process can be daunting but congratulates these young individuals for being catalysts for change, not just for their community but for the entire state. Previous Next

Abdullah's Journey with Huddle Up! Junior < Back Nurturing Growth and Connection Mariam Taleb 19 Jan 2024 Abdullah's Journey with Huddle Up! Junior Huddle Up! Junior, a program situated at The Hub in Docklands, is on a mission to enrich the lives of primary school-aged children. The program not only seeks to increase physical activity levels but also endeavors to build social connections, instill new skills, and create a profound sense of belonging for its participants. Huddle Up! Junior addresses the challenge of the limited availability of activities for children to stay active and socialise in a secure environment after school, especially for families like Abdullah's, who are new to Australia and unfamiliar with the area. Abdullah is a 8-year-old boy who, along with his parents, arrived in Australia from Saudi Arabia in 2020. The family's primary purpose was to pursue education and obtain degrees. Having accomplished their academic goals in 2023, Abdullah's parents recently returned to Saudi Arabia in January of 2024. Abdullah and his mother, Amal, attended Huddle Up! at Docklands every Tuesday. Amal first learned about the program at Docklands Primary School and is delighted that Abdullah could participate in a variety of sports and engaging activities each week. She expressed that she found joy in seeing Abdullah play with other children, make new friends, and extend those connections to school. Abdullah's father has expressed gratitude for the additional activities that the Huddle has involved the family in. A standout moment was their participation in the AFLW Grand Final, where Abdullah had the opportunity to run out through the banner as the junior mascot for The Huddle. For Abdullah, this experience was not only his favourite but also the most memorable with The Huddle, evident in the uncontainable smile on his face on the day. He shared that the diversity of sports he engages in keeps him returning to the Tuesday program. Some sports are entirely new to him, and the coaches, especially his favourite, Maz, make it easy for him to connect with both them and fellow participants. Abdullah's time with Huddle Up! Junior has cultivated a sense of fun, the building of connections with peers, a heightened sense of belonging within the community, and the confidence to embrace new experiences. As Abdullah returns to Saudi Arabia, he carries with him not just memories, but a stockpile of new skills and games acquired during his time in Australia. Previous Next

Taking NBA Math Hoops to the Big Apple! < Back The Huddle at the NBA Math Hoops Global Championships in New York City! Annabel Dorey 29 July 2024 Taking NBA Math Hoops to the Big Apple! The NBA Math Hoops Global Championships recently brought together young maths enthusiasts from around the world to compete in an exciting four-day tournament combining basketball, maths and social-emotional learning. Selected participants were flown to New York City, where they engaged in intense rounds of Math Hoops, alongside touring places like Syracuse University, Liberty Science Centre, and even attending the 2024 NBA Draft. The event highlighted the importance of combining education with fun, leaving a lasting impact on all involved and inspiring future champions. We were lucky at The Huddle to send three young people from participating schools to attend the Global Championships, supported by our partners Learn Fresh. Orion, Caitlin and Alice made The Huddle and their schools proud throughout the week with their maths skills, but even more so their outstanding sportsmanship and generosity – we were so proud of them all! Want your kids to have a chance to attend the Global Championships in 2025 for FREE? Get involved with The Huddle Math Hoops to receive your FREE class set of board games and curriculum. Nominations open early 2025, and any participating schools are encouraged to nominate! Previous Next

The North Melbourne Kangaroos have officially launched Game Day, The Huddle’s newest education program < Back The Huddle launches Australian-first immersive AFL program, Game Day North Media 29 Sept 2022 The North Melbourne Kangaroos have officially launched Game Day, The Huddle’s newest education program The North Melbourne Kangaroos have officially launched Game Day, The Huddle’s newest education program. Game Day will run out of The Huddle’s new-look facility, developed as part of the club’s current upgrades to its Arden Street headquarters. An Australian-first immersive AFL themed program, Game Day will be presented in a world-class education centre featuring cutting-edge technology. The Huddle has launched its new facility and program Game Day, which will see thousands of local students experience a cutting-edge and interactive way of learning Game Day will take grade 5 and 6 students on an empowering journey to build on their strengths and plan for their future. Throughout the Game Day experience, students will work in teams to complete STEM challenges which will require teamwork and resilience to solve problems and learn how to win. Innovative technology will be used to create an atmosphere where students feel like they are part of an AFL game. Since its inception in 2010, The Huddle’s award-winning programs have engaged more than 100,000 young people from over 160 different cultures, with a particular focus on those that are vulnerable and at risk of disengagement. Game Day encompasses our mission at The Huddle, and we are thrilled to see the concept come to life through this incredible facility, made possible through a $7.3 million investment by the Victorian State Government. - The Huddle CEO Cam McLeod In 2023, Game Day is expected to engage up to 4,500 students from 100 schools located in low socio-economic areas across Victoria. “At The Huddle, our mission is to improve education and employment outcomes for young people by leveraging the power of sport,” The Huddle CEO Cam McLeod said. “Pre-COVID 40% of Australian students were disengaged in the classroom, leading to students falling two years behind their peers and becoming at-risk of leaving school. Through innovative technology, the Game Day program will work to strengthen the engagement of at-risk and vulnerable young people, helping them to learn, grow and belong. “Game Day encompasses our mission at The Huddle, and we are thrilled to see the concept come to life through this incredible facility, made possible through a $7.3 million investment by the Victorian State Government.” A world-class team from Spatial, MKTG and Beautiful Minds have worked to design and produce Game Day including screenplay, audio, visual, special effects and a pedagogical framework aligned to the Victorian Curriculum. Previous Next

River Nile student's reflection on her 2 years participating in Voice Your Voice < Back Aida's Voice Claudie Groves 19 Oct 2023 River Nile student's reflection on her 2 years participating in Voice Your Voice Aida is the first to complete two rounds of Voice Your Voice, a collaborative and hands-on advocacy program delivered by The Huddle to local secondary and VCAL students. Like her introductory experience in 2022, this year’s initiative encouraged Aida and her peers at River Nile School to think bigger than just awareness-raising, and to think about what it truly means to feel safe, valued, and included in society. Together, this group of young women not only spoke about the issues that are commonly faced by people of refugee and migrant backgrounds, but also – and more powerfully – explored ways to mobilise communities and build capacity for meaningful social action in this regard. They participated in several workshops with Voice Your Voice throughout their third semester, creating short video campaigns on topics of their own choosing. “My group focused on racism, which is a problem many of us face every day due to our hijabs and skin colour.” “Being able to talk about something so persistent, hurtful and wrong is really important, and advocating for change means a lot to those of us who have personally experienced racism.” Last year, Aida and her team worked on a media project about cyberbullying, which they argue is just as pervasive and challenging. The issue’s popularity and resonance also meant that this team grew to be the largest in Voice Your Voice’s history. “Everyone played a role, whether that was doing voiceovers, writing the script, editing or starring in the actual video.” “I really want to thank The Huddle for providing us with this opportunity as people who are new to Australia.” Voice Your Voice aims to inspire students like Aida, giving them the tools necessary to self-advocate and contribute to cohesive communities where all feel they belong. Previous Next