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< Back A day at the Australian Open Watching tennis superstars up close! Jasper Menor Previous Next

Young voices, real impact — a youth-designed space built on trust, creativity, and community. < Back Youth-Led Transformation at NMCC John King 25 June 2025 Young voices, real impact — a youth-designed space built on trust, creativity, and community. In 2024, The Huddle, in partnership with The Y and the City of Melbourne, established a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) with the goal of strengthening trust between young people who engage with the North Melbourne Community Centre (NMCC) and the staff and managers who operate the facility. Participants in the YAG undertook a tailored capacity building program, which included The Huddle’s Game Changers program, to enhance their career development and guide the design of a project to create an accessible Games Room for community use, while also establishing and communicating Conditions of Entry and Standards of Behaviour for users. Paving the Way Forward, a Victorian State Government initiative, provided funding to operationalise the Game Room project. These partnerships provided the young people participating in the YAG an opportunity to manage a real-world project which would have immediate impact within the community, while also providing valuable career experience and skill development. When asked to reflect on her time as a YAG member, Inas Adil said, “The Youth Advisory Group offered me an opportunity that proved to be deeply meaningful and transformative. It was in this space that I was not only heard but valued as a young person who is able to make decisions about our societies. Participating in discussions, giving feedback, and taking part in even creating new projects made me learn how to advocate for change and gave me my needed self-confidence.” Allysha Morris, Centre Manager for The Y at the NMCC worked directly with the YAG to help shape and bring their ideas to life. “The Games Room Project has been a powerful example of what youth led community spaces can achieve when built on trust, accountability, and creativity,” she said. “Collaborating with the young women as they developed their survey questions and helped shape ideas for the bookings and open day was inspiring. Watching the young men cheer on their mates as they cut the ribbon, and seeing the smiling children creating, playing, and connecting, was genuinely wholesome. It was a reminder of why inclusive, safe, and engaging spaces like this matter.” The initiative also aligned closely with the City of Melbourne’s values of youth engagement, inclusivity, and community driven solutions. David Rowe, Melbourne City Baths Manager at City of Melbourne was involved in the collaborative project and said, “Over the course of 10 weeks, the YAG process fostered strong partnerships between the YMCA, the City of Melbourne, and the broader community. The collaboration was marked by mutual respect, shared goals, and a genuine commitment to youth-led outcomes. The Games Room, which now contains comfortable couches, a PlayStation 5, kids games, tables, chairs, computer access, table tennis, card games, lockers, a quiet Study Room and Makers Space is now available for use by the community who helped create it. The YAG hopes it will be evidence of what strong young voices can achieve when given the chance. “Seeing our ideas taken seriously and implemented was one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a part of the group. The concrete results of our efforts and knowing that young people's opinions were influencing actual results was empowering. My conviction that youth participation in decision-making spaces is crucial has been strengthened by this experience. It has motivated me to keep up my advocacy efforts and keep trying to improve my community,” Said Inas. Previous Next

Empowering women through sport, building confidence, and creating connection across Australia. < Back More than Sport: Supporting Women and building belonging Emily Maiorana 10 Mar 2026 Empowering women through sport, building confidence, and creating connection across Australia. Community Hubs Australia and The Huddle have partnered to deliver Social Sport and Active Recreation programs to women across Australia, creating welcoming spaces where connection and confidence can thrive. Huddle Up! In Community hubs begin in term 3 2025, launching in Wyndham and Greater Western Sydney with 13 Community Hubs, hitting the ground running with one clear aim- to empower women and increase participation within social sport. The program has seen women feel more confident within themselves, shoot their first netball goal and throw their first sports ball. In addition, it has allowed culturally diverse women to become more connected with their community and make strong friendships. In early February, we touched down in Hume and were immediately struck by the strong sense of belonging. “I’m pleased to see the women smiling and laughing,” says Nayana, Good Samaritan Hub Leader. The program is helping women, broaden their knowledge of sport, and build self esteem in a supportive environment. In a short time, it has already made a meaningful impact, with more than 40 women participating in weekly sessions within the Hume region and over 380 across all Community Hubs. Many have also extended their involvement beyond the program, bringing their families along to community events such as the Annual Huddle Iftar and Welcome to AFL. Most inspiring of all is the ripple effect: through sport, mothers are discovering new strengths, and embracing growth, and modelling confidence, and in turn, their children are inspired to do the same. To get involved head to our landing page here. Previous Next

< Back Wonder & Wander: A Day of Museum Magic Capturing the spark of discovery as our young legends explore the best of Melbourne. Previous Next

Fred Alale AM, Yasseen Musa OAM, and Gary Lee OAM have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List, for significant service to the multicultural communities of Victoria < Back Huddle trio honoured for services to the community North Media 31 Jan 2023 Fred Alale AM, Yasseen Musa OAM, and Gary Lee OAM have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List, for significant service to the multicultural communities of Victoria Fred Alale AM, Yasseen Musa OAM, and Gary Lee OAM have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List, for significant service to the multicultural communities of Victoria. The Order of Australia is the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens. Last week, three of North Melbourne Football Club and The Huddle’s most respected volunteers were honoured for their services to the community. Fred Alale AM, a passionate North Melbourne Football Club member, has over two decades of experience as a public service professional in both Australia and the UK. More recently, he has been a part of the Victorian governments efforts to keep Victorian businesses in line with the Public Health Officer’s regulations. He has been recognised and awarded with this honour as a result of his enormous contributions to the African Australian communities that reside in Victoria. He serves on multiple boards apart from The Huddle’s Advisory Committee, including Chair of the African Music and Culture Festival, and is the Treasurer of Africa Day Australia Inc. He is also a member of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan implementation committee. Alongside Fred on the Advisory Comittee of The Huddle and a Committee Member of the African Music and Cultural Festival, is Gary Lee OAM. He was recognised for service to the community through a range or organisations. First arriving in Melbourne as an international student from Malaysia, Lee quickly fell in love with the city, the North Melbourne FC and everything it had to offer. There are a lot of people in Australia who don’t have much but are willing to give everything to help others, and this Australian spirit is everything I am about. - Gary Lee OAM Working closely with The Huddle, Lee has worked tirelessly with international students empowering them to learn new skills, grow their network, and form new connections within the community through Welcome to AFL sessions. Gary continued his work throughout the pandemic, even if that meant that Welcome to AFL sessions looked a bit different to what everyone was used to. Yaseen Musa OAM has been the Multicultural Ambassador for the North Melbourne Football club since 2020. He is a former member of the Multicultural Australian Football League Committee, in which he won the Multicultural Community Ambassador of the Year Award back in 2015. Arriving in Melbourne over 25 years ago, the father of six was quick to recognise the need to bring hope and a sense of belonging to migrants. Working closely with The Huddle, Yasseen says that sport had played a key role in helping young people learn new skills, meet new people, and provide a new home. When new families arrive in Melbourne, we need to give them hope and we need to give them a place where they can feel safe which is what our community does. - Yasseen Musa OAM Musa OAM played a pivotal role in aiding more than 3,000 residents of Melbourne’s public housing towers, who found themselves suddenly in lockdown due to COVID-19. Delivering culturally sensitive food and medicine and aiding nurses, police and government bodies in communicating with local residents, he worked tirelessly to ensure each and every community member was receiving the right care. The Huddle’s CEO Cameron McLeod said: “Fred, Gary and Yasseen are all outstanding role models who epitomize the ‘Shinboner Spirit’. Their passion is unwavering as is their dedication to create rich cultural experiences for all Victorians to learn, grow and belong alongside other cultures. Their contributions to The Huddle, as volunteers and cultural leaders has been invaluable. Their Australia Day Honours is a testament to the impacts and benefits of multicultural communities’ contributions to Australia”. The North Melbourne Football Club and The Huddle would like to extend their congratulations to Fred, Gary and Yasseen for their awards, and acknowledge their selfless work in empowering all young people to continue to learn, grow and belong. Previous Next

< Back Community supporting community Duad’s experiences with careers support from The Huddle Maddy Ware and John King 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

The Huddle Up! Junior participants are getting ready to skate into the holidays. < Back Skating Into The Holidays! Xavier Smith 27 June 2024 The Huddle Up! Junior participants are getting ready to skate into the holidays. Our Huddle Up! Junior participants from Flemington are ending the term on a high—skating into the holidays with two thrilling weeks of skateboarding at Kensington Skatepark! After the overwhelming success of last year’s introduction to the sport, we brought back the boards and ramps for a mid-year celebration of movement, confidence, and fun. Throughout Term 2, our young people have experienced a dynamic and diverse sporting program that included basketball—thanks to the incredible support of Westgate Basketball —and hockey, delivered in partnership with the passionate team at Brunswick Hockey Club . Each week, the Flemington group have embraced the chance to try something new, learning new skills, building confidence, and forming strong friendships through sport. The final weeks of skateboarding have brought a special energy to the group. There’s something uniquely empowering about rolling down a ramp for the first time or nailing a new trick after a few falls. Our young skaters didn’t just learn how to balance on a board—they learned to back themselves, bounce back from setbacks, and support one another along the way. One parent shared their appreciation for the program, saying: “Huddle Up! is a great program for children to get fit and physically active. My son has met so many new friends.” As the term wraps up, it’s clear that Huddle Up! Junior continues to offer more than just sport—it’s a place where children grow, connect, and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment. We’re proud of every Flemington participant for bringing energy and enthusiasm to each session, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for them when we return next term. Until then, enjoy the break—and keep rolling! Previous Next

< Back Game Changers to Community Leader How Anita Transformed Her Passion for Sport and Community into Empowering Local Youth Emily Maiorana 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

The future of North Melbourne descended on Arden St for the 2022 Future Roos clinic. < Back Sights and sounds of the Future Roos clinic Previous Next

Bringing footy and STEM together for an action-packed learning experience < Back GOAL! Kangaroos Kicks Off at Werribee Primary School Jasper Menor 21 Feb 2025 Bringing footy and STEM together for an action-packed learning experience The Huddle’s latest GOAL! Kangaroos lessons officially launched on Monday, February 10, during Community Camp at Werribee Primary School. These FREE , footy-themed STEM lessons , aligned with the Victorian Curriculum , bring learning to life in a way that’s both engaging and educational. What is GOAL! Kangaroos? Designed for year levels 3-5 , GOAL! Kangaroos blends football, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to make learning dynamic and interactive. These lessons are: Free for educators Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum Hands-on and engaging , perfect for active learners and footy fans. Students put their goal-kicking accuracy to the test, simulating shots from nine different angles to analyse the best position for scoring a sausage roll (a goal). The activity combines practical STEM principles with the excitement of footy, creating an unforgettable learning experience. Adding to the fun, North Melbourne Kangaroos players joined in, sharing tips and encouraging students as they kicked goals both in the classroom and on the field. Why Schools Love GOAL! Kangaroos Teachers and students alike have embraced these lessons because they: Make STEM exciting through real-life applications Encourage teamwork and problem-solving Get students active while learning key skills Bring GOAL! Kangaroos to Your School Want to bring these footy-inspired STEM program to your school? Click HERE and get access to 6 brand new footy themed lessons to get your students in the game today! Plus they're completely FREE! Previous Next