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From online beginnings to hands-on learning, Kevin’s made the most of every moment. < Back Kevin’s Huddle Journey: New Skills, New Friends, New Perspectives Patrick McPhee 30 July 2025 From online beginnings to hands-on learning, Kevin’s made the most of every moment. Kevin started attending activities with The Huddle back in 2020, as were the times back then, a lot of his introduction to The Huddle was through online programs. He participated in online sporting sessions, picnics and exciting education activities, such as a mammal encounter! Once the world opened up, Kevin continued accessing programs as they returned to face to face. Through Huddle Holidays he has attended snow trips, surf trips, yoga classes and more. At Huddle Up! Junior he has been introduced and developed skills in a range of sports and has also attended community events such as Iftar. Most recently Kevin attended his first Huddle Holidays Senior activity, a Barista course where he learned to make coffees. A skill he hopes to take home, to be able to make coffees for his family. Kevin has attended many Junior programs alongside his brother Louis, however he has also been bold and open to attending programs alone where he has had great experiences and met new people which has helped to, as he says, “widen his eyes and see the world in a different perspective”. See below Kevin’s responses to our questions exploring his experience at The Huddle! What’s Your name and how old are you?   My name is Kevin and I am 12 years old.  What are some of the activities you have done with The Huddle?  I have been ice skating, coffee making, tennis, Snow mountain excursions, and also been to footy and weekly sports at north Melbourne community centre.  What has been your favourite activity?  I like going to the snow mountains, coffee making and ice skating.  Why was it your favourite activity and how did it make you feel?  My favourite activity is coffee making because in this whole day activity I get to learn something new that I have never experienced before.  What have you learnt at The Huddle?  I learnt how to make coffee, play footy, basketball, tennis, skate on ice, ski on snow and also learnt how to be kind to others without hurting yourself either physically or mentally.  What keeps you coming back to The Huddle and what would you tell someone attending for the first time?  I like to come to the huddle because it makes me widen my eyes and see the world in a different perspective. Previous Next

< Back Meet Nyra: Kicking Goals On and Off the Field From sport to study sessions, 8-year-old Nyra is making the most of every opportunity at The Huddle — and loving every minute of it. Patrick McPhee Previous Next

From sport to study sessions, 8-year-old Nyra is making the most of every opportunity at The Huddle — and loving every minute of it. < Back Meet Nyra: Kicking Goals On and Off the Field Patrick McPhee 29 July 2025 From sport to study sessions, 8-year-old Nyra is making the most of every opportunity at The Huddle — and loving every minute of it. Nyra is a grade 3 student who first attended an activity at The Huddle in July 2024. Since then, she has participated in a range of different programs offered by The Huddle. We sat with Nyra to hear about her experience. In July 2024 Nyra joined Huddle Up! Junior at Docklands with a group of her friends. This is a sport and recreation program for 5-12 year-olds that offers young people the opportunity to get involved and get active through social games and sport. Nyra shared that she “likes that it includes running (and) we get fit!” Also, that she gets to try new sports she may not have otherwise. Since participating Nyra has tried sports including Basketball, Soccer, AFL and more! While participating at Huddle Up! Nyra learnt about Study Squad. Study Squad launched in Docklands in Term 4 2024 and Nyra as well as some of her friends was one of the first participants. Study Squad provides a safe place for young people to access learning support outside of school hours, Nyra attended almost every week coming in to complete her weekly math homework. Nyra enjoyed that Study Squad “gave us snacks, has fun study breaks, lots of time to study and a fun game at the end”. Nyra also explained that she enjoyed studying there as she “felt supported with my friends around me”. Through her time in the previous program Nyra learnt about the exciting Welcome to AFL program. Welcome to AFL is an introductory AFL program for newly arrived, multicultural and international student communities to learn the basics of AFL. Nyra attended Welcome to AFL at Marvel Stadium attending Round 2 of the 2025 AFL season where the North Melbourne Kangaroos beat Melbourne by 59 points. Nyra shared “This was my first game of footy that I watched, I liked having friends there and waving the flag when players kicked goals. I found the players face cards (in the cheer squad) funny.” Nyra also had the opportunity to go on Marvel Stadium where she learnt to kick and handball and she “did better than I expected!”. Just recently Nyra turned 8 years old making her eligible for her first Huddle Holidays during the July school holidays. Huddle Holidays is a school holiday program that promotes happy and healthy lifestyles to local children, of all cultural backgrounds. Nyra attended the Welcome to Tennis Activity hosted by the Australian Tennis Foundation, here she learnt some basics of Tennis, in a cardio session and met even more young people her age! Above everything, getting to do all these activities with friends has been Nyra’s favourite part about her time at The Huddle. Nyra’s journey, though just 1 year in time, has already demonstrated part of the life cycle of programs at The Huddle available to young people from 5 through to 25 years’ old and their families. We look forward to seeing Nyra back for more at future programs! To learn more about the programs mentioned below please click on the below links. Huddle Up! Junior Study Squad Welcome to AFL Huddle Holidays Previous Next

All your questions answered about the Game Day excursion. Game Day is an immersive AFL-themed excursion, aligned to the Victorian Curriculum, that engages Levels 5 and 6 in STEM through cutting-edge technology. How do I become a volunteer for The Huddle? Register your interest using the button above. Prospective volunteers will need to meet the requirements outlined in the specific role descriptions, have a current Working with Children Check or Victorian Institute of Teaching card, and undergo a police check. Applicants will require face-to-face interviews and reference checks. Induction and training is provided to ensure you are ready to carry out your important role with us. I want to volunteer in a one-off or short-term capacity. Is this possible? At the moment, we are looking for volunteers to assist with our weekly programs for a minimum of six months. We do occasionally offer one-off or short-term volunteer opportunities, which we will promote on our website. How many hours a week does volunteering require? Depending on the program, usually between 1.5-3 hours per week. Our programs are all held in the afternoons, so it is possible to work full-time and volunteer. How long does the recruitment and selection process take? The process usually takes a couple of weeks. However, all volunteers must attend a training and induction session before they begin volunteering with us. These are held once every three months. Where are the volunteer roles based? Volunteer roles are based in both North Melbourne and Werribee and their surrounding suburbs. Specific locations can be found in the volunteer position descriptions. Do I need a Working with Children Check? All volunteers must have a Working with Children Check. We can provide you with instructions on how to apply for one if you do not have one. Who volunteers at The Huddle? We have all kinds of volunteers, from uni students to retirees. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds (and AFL affiliations!) who fit the criteria and are passionate about engaging and empowering young people. Do you take work placement students? We are committed to taking a number of tertiary placement students every year. While we prioritise students from within our networks, we encourage you to email huddle.volunteers@nmfc.com.au if you are interested. Please outline your placement requirements in the email. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to take on secondary-aged work experience students. In partnership with

When volunteering at The Huddle, you play a key role in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all young people to learn, grow, and belong. When volunteering at The Huddle, you play a key role in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all young people to learn, grow, and belong. Volunteers play a huge role in our work here at The Huddle. Since its inception, 1,000 volunteers have engaged over 120,000 young people from over 160 different cultures across Australia. They have donated more than 20,000 hours of their time, enabling The Huddle to deliver high-quality programs and invest over $23M back into the community. When volunteering at The Huddle, you play a key role in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all young people to learn, grow, and belong. For your chance to create meaningful change in your community and positively impact the lives of young people, please enquire below. LEARN MORE How do I become a volunteer for The Huddle? Register your interest using the button above. Prospective volunteers will need to meet the requirements outlined in the specific role descriptions, have a current Working with Children Check or Victorian Institute of Teaching card, and undergo a police check. Applicants will require face-to-face interviews and reference checks. Induction and training is provided to ensure you are ready to carry out your important role with us. I want to volunteer in a one-off or short-term capacity. Is this possible? At the moment, we are looking for volunteers to assist with our weekly programs for a minimum of six months. We do occasionally offer one-off or short-term volunteer opportunities, which we will promote on our website. How many hours a week does volunteering require? Depending on the program, usually between 1.5-3 hours per week. Our programs are all held in the afternoons, so it is possible to work full-time and volunteer. How long does the recruitment and selection process take? The process usually takes a couple of weeks. However, all volunteers must attend a training and induction session before they begin volunteering with us. These are held once every three months. Where are the volunteer roles based? Volunteer roles are based in both North Melbourne and Werribee and their surrounding suburbs. Specific locations can be found in the volunteer position descriptions. Do I need a Working with Children Check? All volunteers must have a Working with Children Check. We can provide you with instructions on how to apply for one if you do not have one. Who volunteers at The Huddle? We have all kinds of volunteers, from uni students to retirees. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds (and AFL affiliations!) who fit the criteria and are passionate about engaging and empowering young people. Do you take work placement students? We are committed to taking a number of tertiary placement students every year. While we prioritise students from within our networks, we encourage you to email huddle.volunteers@nmfc.com.au if you are interested. Please outline your placement requirements in the email. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to take on secondary-aged work experience students.

The Huddle works with young people aged 8 to 25. Our programs are FREE for schools and all members of the community. Each program offers a safe and inclusive environment that empowers all young people to learn, grow, and belong. Programs in schools Fun and innovative sports-themed STEM lessons, aligned with the Australian & Victorian Curriculum, and NSW Syllabus. Levels 3-8 FIND OUT MORE Comprehensive learning program featuring a fun and engaging board game and curriculum that motivates students to learn maths skills through the game of basketball. Levels 4-7 FIND OUT MORE An immersive AFL-themed Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics excursion with cutting-edge technology. Levels 5-6 FIND OUT MORE Empower students to discover who they are, by developing an understanding of how their values and attributes shape their identity. Levels 5-VCAL FIND OUT MORE Programs in the community School holiday program to promote a happy and healthy lifestyle and includes a range of activities. Ages 8-18 FIND OUT MORE An introduction to AFL to learn the rules, have a go at the skills and attend a live North Melbourne Football Club match. All ages FIND OUT MORE A careers program to develop and showcase transferable skills through workshops, coaching, and supported employment experiences. Ages 15-25 FIND OUT MORE A multi-sport program to learn fundamental skills and access to try a variety of sports. Ages 5-12 FIND OUT MORE An overnight camp for young men to connect, share stories, be inspired, and have fun through activities and challenges. Ages 16-18 FIND OUT MORE Receive academic support through subject-specific volunteer tutors, computer and internet access, and study space access. Ages 10-25 FIND OUT MORE A multi-sport program to get active through social games of sport, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Ages 12-25 FIND OUT MORE An overnight camp for young women to connect, share stories, be inspired, and have fun through activities and challenges. Ages 16-18 FIND OUT MORE

Opportunity to get active through social games of sport, such as basketball, soccer and volleyball. Opportunity to get active through social games of sport, such as basketball, soccer and volleyball. DSC05950.JPG DSC05900.JPG IMG_2105.JPG DSC05950.JPG 1/4 Huddle Up Senior is a ‘drop in’ style program that creates a safe and welcoming environment to increase participation in sport and recreation activities for young people. The program uses sport and physical activity to contribute to creating a sense of belonging within the community and ensure that individuals, their families, and their local community can thrive. REGISTER I get to spend more time with my friends and I got to know them better but the best thing is I had a lot of fun Ava, Huddle Up! Senior participant Previous Next

An overnight camp for young women to connect, share stories, be inspired, and have fun through activities and challenges. An overnight camp for young women to connect, share stories, be inspired, and have fun through activities and challenges. pic6.jpeg pic2.jpeg pic3.jpeg pic6.jpeg 1/6 HERstory is an overnight camp designed for young women to connect, share stories, be inspired, and have fun through leadership and team building activities and challenges. REGISTER The camp intrigued me, and I really enjoyed the activities. The activities were engaging and challenging. They made me come out of my comfort zone. I made some new friends and caught up with some of my friends Program participant Previous Next

A multi-sport program to learn fundamental skills and access to try a variety of sports. A multi-sport program to learn fundamental skills and access to try a variety of sports. DSC04759-2.jpg DSC04813.JPG IMG_9683.jpg DSC04759-2.jpg 1/4 Huddle Up! Junior encompasses Sport and Recreation programs for juniors from 5-12 years. Huddle Up! Junior offers young people the opportunity to get involved and get active through social games of basketball, touch rugby, soccer, and hockey as well as health and fitness classes delivered in a safe and inclusive environment. Delivered across various locations throughout North Melbourne and Wyndham, there is a sport and recreation program for everyone. Get involved and get active today! REGISTER I enjoy having somewhere free to go after school to have fun and play sports with my mates Amar, Huddle Up! Junior participant Previous Next

Empower students to discover who they are, by developing an understanding of how their values and attributes shape their identity.  Empower students to discover who they are, by developing an understanding of how their values and attributes shape their identity. DSC01332.jpg Screenshot 2024-01-25 at 10.56.53 am.png DSC01341.jpg DSC01332.jpg 1/8 True North workshops empower young people to discover who they are. Participants reflect upon and share their story, developing an understanding of how their values and attributes shape their identity and future pathways. Teachers at schools in the North Melbourne and Wyndham areas in Levels 5-12* can engage The Huddle to facilitate workshops for their students across four consecutive weeks. Note: due to zoning agreements, your school MUST be in the City of Melbourne, Moonee Valley or Wyndham to be eligible to participate. Not in those zones? Get in touch with us via the expression of interest below to be first to hear about future opportunities. True North comprises of two packages: 'Our' True North & 'My' True North. ‘My’ True North is a transformative program that empowers students to cultivate their intrapersonal skills, equipping them with skills to navigate challenges, embrace change, and foster a growth mindset. Students partake in these workshops: - Grit - Values - Mindset - Identity ‘Our’ True North is designed to empower students by nurturing their collaborative abilities and fostering empathy with their classmates. Students partake in these workshops: - Connections - Emotional Intelligence - Teamwork - Leadership *This content is best suited to students in upper primary, however can be adapted to suit older students. Many students who attend local primary and high schools will have completed some sessions in year five and/or six. FIND OUT MORE The True North program was able to give me the confidence to better understand those around me, but more importantly myself. I loved being involved and it was so much fun Ivan, True North participant Previous Next

Comprehensive learning program featuring a board game and curriculum that motivates students to learn fundamental maths skills through the game of basketball. Comprehensive learning program featuring a board game and curriculum that motivates students to learn fundamental maths skills through the game of basketball. Thomas with MH game.jpg 2019 Nationals_1.jpg Philosophy_New.jpg Thomas with MH game.jpg 1/5 NBA Math Hoops is an online and in-person board game and curriculum, aligned to the Victorian and Australian Curriculum, that engages students across Levels 4-7 in fundamental mathematics through the game of basketball. To view a video on NBA Math Hoops, click here . FIND OUT MORE I would definitely recommend NBA Math Hoops both in the school setting but also at home. I had the chance to play it with younger students who were just as keen as the Year 5 students and willing to have a go at multiplication with hands-on materials to help. Great game and great lessons. Mel - Classroom Teacher, Torquay College Previous Next

Opportunities to develop and showcase transferable skills through workshops, coaching, and supported employment experiences. Opportunities to develop and showcase transferable skills through workshops, coaching, and supported employment experiences. DSC05718.jpg DSC05741.jpg DSC05690.jpg DSC05718.jpg 1/4 Game Changers provides participants an opportunity to learn and develop employability, transferable and project management experience through workshops, one-on-one Career Coaching and supported Employment Experiences. Consisting of pre- and post-employment support for job seekers, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities, Game Changers identifies and nurtures talent through paid Employment Experiences, both within The Huddle and through partnerships with our business and community networks. Young people are supported through their career journey via case-management which takes the form of one-on-one consultations with either the Careers Coordinator or a Career Coach, based on the participants preferred method of contact, including face-to-face appointments, video, or phone call. Participants are also brought together through various education workshops and forums, including with industry professionals to grow their skills, knowledge and networks. Game Changers is delivered through collaborative partnerships with youth led cultural groups located within our communities, to ensure Game Changers is meeting the needs of local young people, while also allowing The Huddle to play a role in building the skills, knowledge and networks of these groups contributing to collective impact. FIND OUT MORE I wanted to say thanks for letting me join the Game Changers program. I found it really beneficial since not only did it allow me to meet new people, but also helped me form networks where I could ask for volunteering opportunities and potentially work. Through the workshops I was able to learn more about the transferable skills that I could use when applying for jobs - whether it’d be answering questions at a job interview or pitching a new business/community project idea. I’d highly recommend this program to anyone who’s looking to develop career goals or need guidance at securing a job. Rea Tinoy, program participant Previous Next