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Two years of NBA Math Hoops with St. Damian's Primary School < Back NBA Math Hoops at St. Damian's Primary School! Previous Next

< Back Helping Others To Find Their True North Confidence and communication skills to amplify ideas and stories. John King Previous Next

The North Melbourne Kangaroos Welcome New Fans to Aussie Rules Footy < Back Kicks, Marks, and Cultural Connections David Middlemast 9 Apr 2025 The North Melbourne Kangaroos Welcome New Fans to Aussie Rules Footy On Sunday, March 23rd, North Melbourne FC and The Huddle proudly hosted an unforgettable event as part of the AFL’s Cultural Heritage Series . Hundreds of people from multicultural and newly arrived communities experienced their very first taste of Aussie Rules Footy, immersing themselves in the energy, excitement, and unity that define the game. At the heart of the day was the Welcome to AFL program, designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of the game. From learning the basics of kicking, marking, and handballing to stepping onto hallowed ground of Marvel Stadium, attendees got a true hands-on experience. The program also included a stadium tour to help participants familiarise themselves with key facilities such as toilets, prayer rooms, and sensory rooms—ensuring they felt comfortable and included throughout their visit. Adding to the excitement, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and North Melbourne Kangaroos players George Wardlaw and Josh Goater joined the activities. Their presence and interaction with the participants made a lasting impact, offering invaluable insights and encouragement straight from the pros. The event welcomed over 200 enthusiastic participants from the City of Wyndham , one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing regions. With a projected population of over 500,000 by 2040—exceeding the population of Tasmania—Wyndham is quickly becoming a major hub of diverse cultures and potential footy fans. For many attendees, this was their first encounter with Aussie Rules Footy, and the experience was nothing short of inspiring. One young participant shared, “I want to play footy. When I go to school, I’m going to play footy.” Others marvelled at the stadium itself, with one surprising observation: “When I touched the grass, it was so soft.” By the time the game started, multiple stadium bays were filled with new Kangas supporters, waving flags and cheering at full volume. The excitement was infectious, with some participants so engrossed in the game that they even lost their voices from cheering so passionately. This event was a powerful demonstration of how sport can transcend language and cultural barriers, bringing communities together through a shared passion. At North Melbourne FC and The Huddle, we continue to pave the way in fostering inclusivity, ensuring that Aussie Rules Footy remains a welcoming sport for all. As the final siren sounded, it was clear that the event had done more than introduce a game—it had ignited a new wave of enthusiasm and belonging within the community. For many, this was just the beginning of their journey into the world of footy. Previous Next

W2AFL Lands in Launceston and Hobart across 2 exciting weekends. < Back Welcome 2 AFL, Tasmania Ella Marsh 9 Nov 2023 W2AFL Lands in Launceston and Hobart across 2 exciting weekends. The Welcome to AFL program is making waves by engaging with international students, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and newly arrived members of the community. In a safe and welcoming environment, the program introduces them to the world of AFL, promoting a sense of belonging and ensuring participation in Australia's beloved sporting culture. A group of 60 participants had the opportunity to experience AFL and AFLW across two exciting weekends in Hobart and Launceston. Many had never attended an AFL game before, but through the program, they not only witnessed the North Melbourne vs. Melbourne match but also the game against the Brisbane Lions. After attending Welcome to AFL, The NMFC membership team provided all participants with a 3 game membership to maintain their enthusiasm to attend further AFL and AFLW games. This instalment of "Welcome to AFL" (W2AFL) was held at Blundstone Arena which included a presentation and a unique opportunity for participants to engage with AFLW stars Nicole Bresnahan and Ellie Gavalas in a Q&A session. The attendees were then divided into two groups: UTAS students took part in a clinic conducted by AFL Tasmania, Nicole Bresnahan, and Ellie Gavalas, where they learned to handball and kick. Meanwhile, the Migrant Resource Centre group enjoyed a tour of the stadium, exploring various areas such as function spaces, private boxes, the gym, oval, coaches' boxes, and changerooms. After the activities, they swapped groups and received giveaways and tickets to the upcoming match against Melbourne. UTAS international student, Rosie, shared her experience from her first W2AFL session; “I’m from Wales and arrived in July and I’m spending a year here (Hobart) studying at UTAS. The North Melbourne vs Melbourne match was the first AFL game I’ve seen, I hadn’t heard of AFL until I came to Australia! I thought it was a really interesting game but not what I expected, I thought it would be more like rugby I think, I really enjoyed the game though and am hoping to give it a go and play it for the college next semester!” – Rosie Llewellyn The Welcome to AFL program aims to open the doors to the world of AFL and form connections within the community. The program's success in both Hobart and Launceston has paved the way for further expansion in Hobart and Launceston, where AFL and AFLW games will continue to be a source of excitement and connection. Previous Next

< Back Celebrate National Science Week Download free sports themed STEM lessons to celebrate National Science Week Previous Next

Huddle Participants take part in the Guard of Honour at Marvel Stadium < Back Huddle Day at Round 14 v Western Bulldogs Previous Next

NBA Math Hoops is an online and in-person board game and curriculum, aligned to the Victorian Curriculum, that engages Levels 4 to 7 in fundamental mathematics through the game of basketball. NBA Math Hoops is an online and in-person board game and curriculum, aligned to the Victorian and Australian Curriculum, that engages Levels 4-7 in fundamental mathematics through the game of basketball. NBA Math Hoops: List Register to attend free online training and secure a school set of board games, lesson plans, and resources. You will receive all materials for FREE after attending training. No events at the moment

< Back Leaping Into Employment Riley's Game Changers Story Emily Maiorana Previous Next

Exploring the rich history of Australian sports! < Back A Day of Sports and History at the MCG Jasper Menor 21 Jan 2025 Exploring the rich history of Australian sports! Huddle Holidays took a trip to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for an action-packed visit to the Australian Sports Museum! We kicked off the day with interactive experiences, testing our reaction skills, kicking footy’s, shooting hoops, and even challenging each other in foosball. The competitive spirit was alive, and the energy was contagious! After some friendly games, we explored the rich history of Australian sports, learning about legendary athletes and their historic achievements. Walking through the exhibits felt like stepping back in time, reliving some of Australia’s greatest sporting moments. To wrap up an amazing day, we headed to the park to soak up the sun and unwind, reflecting on all the fun and inspiration we had just experienced. A huge thank you to the Australian Sports Museum for an unforgettable adventure. If you haven't been to the museum yet, it is definitely worth the visit! Previous Next

A safe space for young people engaged in education to learn, grow and belong. < Back Meet Selina from Study Squad! Patrick McPhee 29 Oct 2024 A safe space for young people engaged in education to learn, grow and belong. Meet Selina from Study Squad! Selina is a year 8 student who has been coming to The Huddle since term 4, 2023. In her spare time Selina likes to play video games and walk outside. She also likes to eat, especially sweet food! Selina started coming to The Huddle to attend our Study Squad program, and has been one of the most regular attendees coming over 50 times in 2024! Selina likes that coming to Study Squad has given her more time to focus on learning, she has also spent some time working with our volunteer tutors who she has found helpful and likes that there are snacks! As well as coming to Study Squad, Selina has also engaged in our Huddle Holidays activities. Study Squad will remain open until the end of November 2024. Study Squad is a safe space for young people engaged in education 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. If you are interested in attending, please join us in: North Melbourne: Every Monday and Tuesday from 3.30pm-6.30pm at The Huddle North Melbourne, 204-206 Arden St, North Melbourne 3051 Docklands: On Wednesdays from 3.30pm – 5.00pm at The Hub @ Docklands, 80 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008 Werribee: On Wednesdays from 3.30pm-5.30pm at The Huddle Werribee, Level 1, 150-226 Watton St, Werribee (Chirnside Park) Previous Next

From Huddle Holidays participant to Huddle Employee < Back Ekram's story Josh Raymer and Maddy Ware 26 Oct 2022 From Huddle Holidays participant to Huddle Employee Ekram is a 17-year-old Wyndham local, and since 2021, has participated in The Huddle’s HERStory camp, multiple Huddle Holidays Basketball Tournament’s, and The Huddle’s Game Changers program. After taking part in many areas of the Huddle and growing in doing so, Ekram is now employed as a Program Support Officer at The Huddle. One Huddle programs that has seen massive growth throughout 2022 is Wyndham’s Study Squad. Due to an increased demand for study support from young people within the Wyndham community, there was a need for a Program Support Officer to join the team to assist young people to complete their study and access free tutoring. Ekram was touted by Huddle staff as a young person that would be a great fit to assist with the program. She had previously demonstrated a desire to work at The Huddle, due to her enjoyment of Huddle programs she had participated in, and experiences she’d heard from other young people that have worked at The Huddle. Ekram first participated in The Huddle through the HERStory camp, an initiative for young women. Ekram attended HERStory with a group of friends, and the camp introduced her to some of the Huddle staff and programs available to her. “The camp was fun being around people I know – I also had to get out of my comfort zone when meeting new people. It was my first-time meeting everyone at The Huddle, and I felt like I had a connection with the staff, which made me want to keep coming back to other Huddle programs.” From there, Ekram participated in multiple Huddle basketball tournaments. Basketball is a huge passion of Ekram’s, and her involvement in multiple women’s only Huddle Slam’s strengthened her connection with The Huddle. Ekram also attended a Youth Employment forum organised by The Huddle’s Social Cohesion Team, and this led to her involvement with Game Changers – The Huddle’s employment program. Through the Game Changers program, Ekram was able to develop her employability skills, and she registered despite having a casual job already. After meeting with the Careers Coordinator, Ekram advised she would like to be considered for future opportunities at The Huddle as she had been involved in many of the programs and wanted to highlight her skills in a paid capacity. Prior to Ekram’s interview at The Huddle, she worked with the Huddle’s Careers Coordinator, Maddy Ware, on interview preparation and displaying her skills in a professional setting. During Ekram’s interview, she was able to highlight her previous experience and skills and demonstrated how she would adopt and amplify The Huddle’s values if she were to be successful. With the support of the Careers Coordinator’s scaffolded interview questions, Ekram was able to clearly demonstrate times she had utilized skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership which led her to be successful in gaining the position of Program Support Officer, supporting Wyndham’s Study Squad program as an employee as opposed to participant. “I felt nervous coming in, but when I saw Josh and Maddy (Huddle co-ordinators), I felt more comfortable and more excited to complete the interview. It went smoothly, and I felt I answered questions to the best of my ability because I felt at ease." Ekram started as Program Support Officer at The Huddle in September this year. Ekram’s role assists young people with achieving their education goals, feeling welcome in space, and most importantly involves being able to relate to the young people that come into the Huddle. Ekram’s addition to Study Squad has further strengthened the connection between program attendees and The Huddle, and there is now a greater amount of support provided for attendees. Ekram is developing her skills in working with young people, managing databases and systems, creating a network of industry professionals, supporting others to achieve their goals and much more. The photo above shows Ekram on her very first day working on the Huddle team. She is also a role model for Study Squad attendees and has demonstrated a strong connection with participants. Ekram has also started to assist with other programs such as Huddle Holidays, with more opportunities to come. The Huddle is greater for having Ekram involved. “I feel like I have connected with young people in a way that I didn’t think I could, and I’ve learned how to talk to new people, I feel more confident in running the program and I’m gaining an awareness in what needs to happen to manage the program successfully” Ekram shared some of her hopes for the future, and that she wants “...to be a lawyer; I want to go to university and study law. I’m currently in Year 11, about to go into Year 12, so I want to complete my secondary schooling and go on to get industry experience. I really want to get into Migration law, to help people that need assistance settling in Australia.” Ekram’s story demonstrates how important it is to have young people involved in the delivery of The Huddle’s programs to maximize the opportunity for growth, learning and belonging for all participants. Previous Next

Samatar Ali's Journey to Empower African Australian Youth < Back The Power of Sport Samantha Weston 12 Sept 2023 Samatar Ali's Journey to Empower African Australian Youth Sport can bring together communities and offer purpose and belonging to all. It has the ability to create positive change and inspire. Samatar Ali is a young person who has harnessed the power of sport and has used his passion for providing a voice to those who are unrepresented, to empower African Australian youth on a global stage. Born in New Zealand, Sam moved to Australia with his grandmother at the age of 14. It did not take long before Sam found himself at home on the basketball court. “That is where I felt the safest…on the basketball court. Everything else going on in the world does not exist there.” As he adjusted to a new culture and school system, he realized that the court was more than just a place to have fun; it was providing him the necessary tools to express himself and feel confident. Through connections made at school, Sam began attending Huddle programs as a teen. Via The Huddle, he was introduced to Larita Academy and the National Basketball League (NBL). It was here that he undertook a three-day workshop with NBL executives that not only expanded his knowledge of the game, but ignited a passion for coaching that would shape his future. “That’s my craft, and I decided that this will be my profession too – coaching is what I want to do.” Recently, Sam had the opportunity to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation and The Huddle. Here, he participated in a panel on Economic Empowerment of people of African descent at the United Nations (UN). At the UN, Samatar spoke passionately about the power of sport in providing a sense of belonging for African Australian youth. Samatar and his delegation raised several crucial issues. They emphasized the need for more policy, advocacy, and literacy surrounding the challenges faced by People of African Descent. Unity, both within the community and in governing bodies, was another key point. Samatar emphasized, “I need more people of African descent in these boardrooms to help inform understanding as well as guide progressive decision-making. ” He stressed the importance of representation in decision-making processes. Sport holds a significant place in Australian culture, but unfortunately, it is still not for everyone. Many people who have migrated to Australia from African countries have played sport prior to arriving, but once they have settled in Australia, they can face significant barriers and challenges to participate in organised sport. To truly empower young African Australians, affordable options and pathways to sports need to be accessible and to explore ways to play differently. “Every kid deserves the opportunity to become a better version of themselves, and sport really facilitates that growth.” Reflecting on the trip to Genova, Sam shares that the experience made him more determined than ever to make a difference. It fuelled his passion and his demand for more opportunities for girls and young women. He stresses the need for a careful and focused approach to applying funding where it is needed most. This means acknowledging the grassroots and community aspects of sport, where the key message remains coming together to connect and play for fun. In the wake of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Federal Government has pledged $200M for women’s sports, with Prime Minister Albanese stating that it will “…promote equal access and build more suitable facilities” . More needs to be done to design and play sport differently. The government needs to begin using a system that is not reliant on income streams to stay afloat, such as memberships and uniforms. Support needs to come in the form of listening to what communities need and want to foster sporting availability, quality, and growth. Now that he is back home, Sam's focus is completing his business degree at Victoria University. He is determined to excel in basketball coaching and administration while also collaborating with corporate Australia and government bodies to create real opportunities, access, and equity for people of African Descent. Sam believes this path is his true calling, and by becoming an exceptional teacher, executive, and leader, he hopes to make a lasting impact once he achieves his basketball goals. “The focus every day is to outwork yesterday”. As he continues to learn and grow, Samatar's story serves as an inspiration to all who believe in the boundless potential of sport to create positive change. Previous Next