Confidence and communication skills to amplify ideas and stories. < Back Helping Others To Find Their True North John King 2 Aug 2023 Confidence and communication skills to amplify ideas and stories. Employment Experiences are paid opportunities for young people to contribute their skills to a real-world project and are offered to successful participants from The Huddle’s Game Changers program. Participants are immersed in a supportive environment, designed to build their confidence, further develop skills, and amplify their ideas, while gaining relevant experiences that will benefit their career aspirations. Suleiman is 24-year-old male from Point Cook, who participated in our Autumn Game Changers program. He, along with 19 other participants were posed the question: "How can we tell the stories of elite athletes in a unique and engaging way?" and taken through a series of workshops designed to develop transferrable and project management skills, through a media and communications lens. Working in small groups, Suleiman and his peers used ideation strategies to develop and refine a solution to the central question, before creating a media and communications plan for their idea, with an accompanying slide deck, which would be presented to a panel of industry experts at our Pitch Event and Networking session. “I enjoyed meeting new people, being creative by brainstorming, collaborating with a team and using the 'yes and' mentality. It helped me understand that every idea has the potential to be a great idea.” After presenting his ideas at the Pitch Event, Suleiman was able to build his networks with professionals from the media and communications industry, learning about their career journeys and sharing his own aspirations of forging a career in creative media. Suleiman had displayed outstanding enthusiasm, professionalism, and reliability through his participation in Game Changers and was offered one of five Employment Experience positions, getting an opportunity contribute his own ideas to the next series of True North videos, before interviewing elite athletes from our AFL and AFLW programs. “Game Changers has been really rewarding. This program has provided me with a platform to be creative and work on an exciting project. Working alongside elite athletes was the best part. A great experience.” Game Changers Employment Experiences will continue to provide unique and relevant opportunities for young people to learn new skills, grow professionally and amplify their ideas to prove they truly belong in their aspiring career industries. Game Changers programs run every school holidays, please click here for more information. Previous Next

< Back Huddle Up! Junior Skateboarding Kensington Skate Park Previous Next

< Back Welcome 2 AFL, Tasmania W2AFL Lands in Launceston and Hobart across 2 exciting weekends. Ella Marsh Previous Next

NBA Math Hoops, the quality, easy-to-implement, easy-to-access resource for your classroom. < Back Unleashing the Power of Sport to Improve Numeracy Emily O'Halloran 9 May 2024 NBA Math Hoops, the quality, easy-to-implement, easy-to-access resource for your classroom. In the words of Nelson Mandela, " Sport has the power to change the world…to inspire...to unite people... It speaks to youth in a language they understand." This wisdom transcends beyond the playing field and resonates within our classrooms. Research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health underscores the connection between sports-based learning activities and heightened student motivation, improved attendance, and enhanced academic performance. But what about the specific links between sport and mathematics? The evidence is compelling. In a 2017 study, Sanchal and Sharma found that introducing a sports context in learning improved attitudes towards maths. Furthermore, findings from the American Institutes for Research demonstrated that students engaged in sports-related maths programs showed enhanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and overall maths proficiency. As a former Numeracy Leader, I've seen firsthand the transformative effect of infusing sports into maths lessons. Games like dodgeball for statistics, BinBall for percentages, and table soccer for angles make abstract concepts tangible, fun and playful experiences. Lessons like "Impossible Soccer Angles" and "Kicking Goals," part of the Middle Years Mathematics Challenges series by the Mathematical Association of Victoria, demonstrate how maths and sports can not only break down barriers but also make learning fun and engaging. While integrating sport and play into lessons is undoubtedly beneficial, the reality is that it demands precious energy and time, both of which are scarce commodities for teachers. Fortunately, there are quality, easy-to-implement, easy-to-access resources available. One standout example is NBA Math Hoops, a program designed by Learn Fresh for primary and junior secondary students. In NBA Math Hoops, students simulate basketball games using a board game format that incorporates real-life statistical data from NBA players. Through this engaging approach, students not only reinforce their mathematical skills but also develop a deeper appreciation for the practical applications of numeracy in everyday life. Students draft NBA players for their team, assess player statistics, strategise game moves, and make decisions based on mathematical principles. The success of NBA Math Hoops and similar programs lies in their ability to bridge the gap between abstract mathematical concepts and real-world applications. By incorporating sports into the learning process, students are more likely to stay engaged and enthusiastic about maths. The dynamic nature of sport fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills – all essential components of mathematical proficiency. Harriet Dunn, a primary school teacher from Merri-Bek Primary School, put it very simply after bringing NBA Math Hoops into her classroom: “For once the students looked forward to maths lessons”. The power of sports to engage students in maths is not just theoretical; it's real and transformative. As school leaders, consider championing programs like NBA Math Hoops to create an environment where learning becomes synonymous with excitement. Get free access to NBA Math Hoops in your school and explore how The Huddle is improving education and employment outcomes through the power of sport by following this link: https://www.thehuddle.org.au/nbamathhoops Previous Next

Need a space to get locked in this school term? < Back Study Squad is back for 2025! Patrick McPhee 24 Feb 2025 Need a space to get locked in this school term? Yes, Study Squad is back! If you are looking for a free, safe, and inclusive space to do your homework independently, in groups, or with the support of a FREE tutor then look no further! Study Squad is a safe space for young students aged 10 - 25 years to learn, grow and belong while receiving academic support. The program offers subject-specific volunteer tutors, computers, and internet access, as well as a study space, at no cost to participants. When and where is Study Squad? Currently, Study Squad runs across three locations, with a fourth location coming soon! Study Squad runs out of: NORTH MELBOURNE When: Every Monday and Thursday during the school term Time: 3.30pm – 6.30pm Where: The Huddle North Melbourne, 204-206 Arden St, North Melbourne 3051 WERRIBEE When: Every Tuesday during the school term Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm Where: The Huddle Werribee, Level 1, 150-226 Watton St, Werribee (Chirnside Park) DOCKLANDS (younger age program, 7 years and older) When: Every Wednesday during the school term Time: 3.30pm - 5.00pm Where: The Hub at Docklands, 80 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands 3008 Where do I register? To register for study squad, please click HERE . Previous Next

< Back Community Camp - Wyndham 2024 North Melbourne Football Club Community Camp Previous Next

Carmen Bruce from St. Damien’s Primary School share their journey with Math Hoops < Back Math Hoops: From the Classroom to the International Stage Jasper Menor 17 Sept 2025 Carmen Bruce from St. Damien’s Primary School share their journey with Math Hoops At St Damian’s Primary School , maths has taken on a whole new energy thanks to NBA Math Hoops. The program, delivered through The Huddle , has transformed how students engage with numbers — from those who struggle with maths anxiety to those who can’t get enough of it. Carmen Bruce , Maths Leader at St Damian’s, has seen the impact firsthand: "It's been fantastic as a maths leader to see all the kids being engaged in maths from our students that find maths a bit challenging or have anxiety with maths to our students that love maths and want to do it every day." Making Maths Fun and Accessible What makes Math Hoops so engaging is its mix of skill and chance. " “It’s got all different components to it, including our four operations and then the probability and chance. And the great component of this is that it has luck involved. So it doesn’t matter what skill level you’re at, sometimes you can have a stinker of a game and sometimes you can have a great game. So it’s been fantastic.” This balance means that every student — no matter their ability level — has the chance to succeed, play, and most importantly, enjoy learning maths. From Local Games to Global Opportunities The program has even opened doors beyond the classroom. " We were lucky enough to nominate two of our students to go to the international championships, and we were so thrilled to hear that one of our students got chosen. He had the most fantastic time over in America, meeting the players in the draft and just had such an experience. So those opportunities are so few and far between that it was just such an amazing challenge.” For the school community, watching one of their own compete on an international stage was a moment of pride and inspiration. A Partnership That Delivers Carmen credits The Huddle and its partners for making these experiences possible. “We really want to say a big shout out to Learn Fresh and the North Melbourne Football Club in The Huddle for all the amazing opportunities that we’ve had with them, from the training online for the teachers, to the board games being delivered to the school, the Victorian tournament and even the international championships, it’s been absolutely fantastic.” Through Math Hoops, St Damian’s Primary School has shown that learning doesn’t just happen in books — it happens through play, teamwork, and opportunity. Watch our interview with Carmen below! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_c062e75e31594ce9b5aef757cda8e24b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Previous Next

< Back Making the holidays shine with Jewellery making! Kicking into the holidays with jewellery making thats fun and creative! Previous Next

< Back The Value of Accessible Excursions On Tuesday, June 9, The Huddle welcomed students from Giant Steps Melbourne to experience our Game Day excursion. Amy Spurgeon Previous Next

< Back Heating up the holidays with a Volleyball Tournament! The holidays got heated at the Huddle Holidays Volleyball Tournament! Previous Next

< Back Empowering Youth Through Sport The Huddle Up! Senior Program in Wyndham Stephenie Webb Previous Next

< Back Changing the game with Game Changers! Helping young people in their career development and teaching them transferable skills. Previous Next