< Back Welcome to AFLW Returns to Arden Street Join The Huddle and North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval on October 4 for a free community AFLW match day. Xavier Smith Previous Next

< Back Empowering Early Careers Howard's Story Emily Maiorana 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

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

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

The Huddle Up! Senior Program in Wyndham < Back Empowering Youth Through Sport Stephenie Webb 8 June 2023 The Huddle Up! Senior Program in Wyndham In the vibrant community of Wyndham, the Huddle Up! Senior program has been making a positive impact on young people's lives for the past 6 years. Developed in collaboration between The Huddle and Point Cook Senior Secondary College (PCSSC), this program aims to engage and empower youth through sport and recreation activities. With a focus on fostering inclusivity, belonging, and personal development, the Huddle Up! Senior program has become a catalyst for positive change in the community. Established in 2017 with support from the Wyndham City Council, the Huddle Up! Senior program now runs in three locations across Wyndham and offers a safe and welcoming environment for students in years 7 to 12 to participate in sport and recreation activities. By leveraging the power of physical activity, the program promotes a sense of belonging within the community, enabling individuals, families, and the local community to thrive. Over the past three years, the Huddle Up! Senior program at PCSSC has been instrumental in creating acceptance of diversity and building an inclusive community. The program has helped young people develop social networks, make connections, and engage in physical activities in a psychologically safe space. Through discussions with program participants, it is evident that the program has become a vital outlet for after-school socializing and unwinding. A survey conducted this year showed that 72% of Huddle participants have built connections in their local community, and 85% have increased their physical activity levels since joining The Huddle. "It's an opportunity to unwind after school... the Town Centre is too overwhelming to hang out in after school." - Program Participant Beyond its recreational benefits, the program has empowered young individuals by fostering leadership and initiative skills. Participants are encouraged to organize themselves into teams, coordinate social round-robin tournaments, and even assist with umpiring and scoring. The program's positive influence has extended beyond the sports field, inspiring collaborative projects with partners like Wyndham Youth Services, which aim to further empower young leaders. In 2022, the Huddle Up! Senior program at PCSSC attracted over 189 unique participants from 41 different cultural backgrounds. With a total of 1,196 attendances throughout the year, the program has effectively reached young people from 12 different schools across Wyndham. This year, registration numbers have been equally as promising, with 134 new registrations and 476 attendances from Nov 2022 until June 2023. With an average of 44 attendances per session, these statistics demonstrate the program's popularity and the strong desire for its continuation. The Huddle Up! Senior program stands as a testament to the transformative power of sport and recreation in the lives of young people. Through its commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and social engagement, the program has created a positive ripple in the Wyndham community. Huddle Up Senior at Point Cook Senior, continues to run every Thursday night from 3:00pm – 5:30pm in the school Gymnasium. Register via the link here . Previous Next

Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women < Back Cultural Exercise Empowerment Asli Abdullahi 24 Aug 2022 Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women. Facilitated by our female instructors, our Women’s Workout program encourages women of all ages and fitness levels to keep active and meet new, likeminded women in a safe and inclusive environment. Iskufilan is a monthly support forum for women and mothers from multicultural communities that is held monthly in Footscray. This month, The Huddle combined these two successful programs to create a very special Iskufilan Women’s Workout. The focus of this group was on teaching Somali women the importance of physical activity and all its accompanying mental health benefits. It was an environment where they can be themselves, and they can work out in a culturally sensitive environment where there were no men present – an incredibly important cultural difference to mainstream gym and workout environments and regimes. The challenge that was outlined and addressed with this session was a lack of exercise among Somali mothers. An obstacle that most of these women expressed that they faced was insufficient spaces for modest women to work out that is catered to only women. The Huddle was able to overcome this obstacle and aid these women in learning basic exercise skills that they can continue going forward with in their own homes. As well as this, the session provided a safe space for the women to socialise, be themselves, and gain an authentic support network with different women from the community. The support the women received with the exercise was as important as the delivery method - one that is as easily digestible and empowering as it is suited to their needs. The Iskufilan Women’s Workout provided a space for women to put themselves first, spend time working on themselves and improving their key health indicators, as well as socialise and forget about their home-life responsibilities for a short while. I really enjoy the program and seeing the people. - Fatima Ali Gass This special group of Somali women are now taking initiative with their self-care, overall health, and wellbeing which was initially a large oversight in the community. Many women from the sessions experienced noticeable improvements and are maintaining the importance of exercise for their health and wellbeing. Previous Next

Meet Huddle volunteer, Chilean journalist and footy convert Israel Segall < Back Cultural Diversity Week – Israel Segall Riley Goodwin 24 May 2022 Meet Huddle volunteer, Chilean journalist and footy convert Israel Segall As part of Cultural Diversity Week, The Huddle chatted to people involved in our programs to share their story and talk about their culture and what it means to them. The Huddle spoke to Israel Segall who came to The Huddle through our Welcome to AFL program and now volunteers his time in that same program. Tell us a bit about yourself I’m a Chilean journalist, and a Spanish teacher. I came to Australia to study a Master's degree in creative literature. I love sports, especially soccer and basketball and I'm excited to have discovered footy! How did you find about the Welcome to AFL and The Huddle? The Huddle given me a tremendous opportunity to bring me closer to Australian culture in a relaxed and fun way, the staff are cheerful and eager to integrate us. There is nothing more Australian than footy, comparable only to vegemite. My first game was amazing and I loved that the North Melbourne fans were willing to share their love for a team with us, discuss the rules of the sport and the value it holds for them. A lady sitting next to me watching the game was my guide, plus the opportunity to start with women's footy was even more interesting. The players were fierce and fought with passion during play. What does cultural diversity mean to you? Cultural diversity is an approach to the essence of being human; it is discovering and being discovered. It’s opening a huge door to different worlds, with respect and joy. How do you celebrate your culture? Latin culture is characterised by joy, dancing, music and delicious food. We are a culture of hugs and constant smiles, perhaps because our history has been full of conflicts, our outburst is colourful and festive. For Latinos the party never ends! Previous Next

< Back The Huddle's Annual Iftar: A Time of Reflection and Unity A Journey of Personal Growth and Community Connection Asli Abdullahi Previous Next

< Back Kicks, Marks, and Cultural Connections The North Melbourne Kangaroos Welcome New Fans to Aussie Rules Footy David Middlemast Previous Next

Bella is Shaping Her Future Through Skills, Community, and Opportunity < Back A Game Changer in Wyndham Previous Next