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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 multi-sport program to learn fundamental skills and access to try a variety of sports. Ages 5-12 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 get active through social games of sport, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Ages 12-25 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

For more information about The Huddle contact us. Contact Us General enquiries: huddle@nmfc.com.au Educator enquiries: education@thehuddle.org.au The Huddle @ Arden St 204-206 Arden St North Melbourne VIC 3051 The Huddle @ Chirnside Park Level 1, 150-226 Watton St Werribee VIC 3030

We had a chat to former participant Nyaguich about her experience at The Huddle with all our awesome volunteers < Back Participant Q&A: Nyaguich Riley Goodwin 10 Jan 2022 We had a chat to former participant Nyaguich about her experience at The Huddle with all our awesome volunteers We had a chat to former participant Nyaguich about her experience at The Huddle with all our awesome volunteers. She has been involved with The Huddle for many years and is currently on the team as an amazing Administration Intern. How long have you been coming to the Huddle? Since 2013, when I was doing my hospitality course I came here to get help. I heard about it from a friend who knew The Huddle. She told me North Melbourne had a football club and in there was a place that helped you with studying [Study Squad]. So you’ve been to Study Squad and you’ve also been involved with our volunteer, Heidi, through Game Changers? I worked with Heidi to help me get a job and then I worked with other volunteers who helped me with my studies. Are there any volunteers that stand out in your mind that you’ve worked with? I worked with Tim, Heidi and then David. And plenty more volunteers but I don’t remember their names. A few of them are quite like family, because when I got my citizenship here in 2014 they came along. You originally came here when you were studying hospitality, and then did you go on to study something else? Yes, I did hospitality from 2013 and then I finished in 2015. In 2017 I started an accounting course from Certificate IV, then a Diploma, and then an Advanced Diploma. The team helped me through this course. Are you studying anything now? At the moment I’m doing a Certificate IV in Disability because I didn’t get a job in accounting and because I don’t have experience, so now I do the course one day a week. You’re going to be very educated getting a lot of qualifications! This is a Plan B for me, because if I get a job I can work. I’ve been working as a waitress for almost nine years, I want to change it. I think I deserve to change to another new job in accounting but I had no experience before I got this internship [with The Huddle]. What kept bringing you back to The Huddle for all those years? What was it that you were getting out of coming? I live close to here, not very far away and the help from The Huddle is amazing. And now I have an internship here at The Huddle, which is amazing. When you come in to Study Squad, do you normally work with volunteers, or do you work on your own? Yes, before my internship I came here for my disability course to get help because English is my second language. I come here to get help. Did you speak any English before moving to Australia? What year did you move here? No. I moved to Australia in 2009 from Ethiopia. I learnt from The Huddle. What have you gotten out of coming to The Huddle? What I get from here, I don’t know how I can express my feelings of The Huddle. From 2013, I learnt how to go through school, now I got this internship opportunity. It has given me more confidence, especially in my accounting course. When I finished it, I was thinking “oh what am I going to do?”. I kept applying and got no jobs, because when you don’t have experience no one knows who you are and then this internship will give me the opportunity. I can put it on my resumé and it can help me to build my career. I feel like I’m ready, ready for an accounting job! I know what I’m doing, I’m confident about the data entry, data analysis, it’s amazing. Did the volunteers make you feel welcome? Yes, people here are very welcoming. I feel confident, I feel Study Squad is home for me. When I come here I feel safe and relaxed. I know everyone here, I know everyone’s name, it’s amazing. Do you have a thought in particular that stands out to you in your time coming to The Huddle? I think friendly. I feel like they are friendly and give me opportunity here. The help I receive is amazing. For me I recommend this place to anyone I know, whether they’re struggling to find a job or for help with study. I can recommend The Huddle is a good place to go if you need any kind of help. Previous Next

< Back The Huddle's 2023 Iftar Join the local community in breaking fast during Ramadan Cassandra Hadson Previous Next

An exciting day of sports and learning! < Back The Grange P-12 students visit The Huddle: A day of sports and learning Joshua Raymer 7 Aug 2024 An exciting day of sports and learning! On August 5 and 6, a lucky group of sports science students from Years 4, 5, and 6 at The Grange P-12 visited The Huddle for an exciting experience. The students took part in The Huddle's Game Day and True North programs, where they enjoyed a day full of sport-themed STEM and personal development activities. One special highlight of the visits was when students were able to meet North Melbourne AFLW players during their club photo shoot, which made the day even more memorable. "My favourite part about today was when we got to work with new people and celebrate success." - Student, The Grange This visit was particularly meaningful, as the students travelled a long way from Hoppers Crossing to North Melbourne. The visit illustrated the strong relationship between The Huddle and The Grange, as The Grange has already been involved in events like the North Melbourne Community Camp and completed several True North modules in previous years. Thanks to the resounding success of this visit, The Grange will continue to participate in addition Huddle programs such as GOAL! and NBA Math Hoops . "It's been awesome to see the kids working together in teams and just working on different skills in a different environment outside the classroom which has been really nice." - Teacher, The Grange The visit not only showcased the power of sport in bringing people together, but it also highlighted the commitment of both The Huddle and The Grange in fostering positive, impactful experiences for young students to help them learn, grow, and belong. Previous Next

< Back Kevin’s Huddle Journey: New Skills, New Friends, New Perspectives From online beginnings to hands-on learning, Kevin’s made the most of every moment. Patrick McPhee 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

A fun and memorable way to engage the whole class in mathematical learning < Back A reflection on NBA Math Hoops Thomas O’Halloran – 5/6 Teacher at Moreland Primary School 5 Sept 2022 A fun and memorable way to engage the whole class in mathematical learning As a teacher, I have no doubt that effective teaching has the most significant impact on student learning outside influences in the home. However, effective teaching takes time and investment. The 2021 Grattan survey reports that 92% of teachers frequently feel that they do not have enough time to prepare for effective teaching. I am one of those teachers, spending endless unpaid hours planning each week to ensure I am delivering effective and engaging lessons. I am always on the hunt for fun and memorable learning resources, especially the lessons that capture the minds and hearts of the students. They must be easy to implement and enable me to work smarter - not harder. So, when I saw the Huddle promoting NBA Math Hoops, a board game that promised to leverage sport in the classroom to maximise student engagement, I was open to giving it a go. As a sports and maths fan, I immediately recognised the power of a board game that leverages basketball to engage students in mathematics. After completing the teacher training (thankfully, a painless, super-informative online 90-minute workshop), I was impressed by the game's potential to shift the mindset of students who consider themselves to be 'bad at maths'. While initially excited, it wasn't until I received the FREE class set that I was blown away by the high quality of the board game. The game was fun, colourful, and the player cards were attention-grabbing. I also recently found out that Hasbro, the creators of Monopoly, are also the creators of NBA Math Hoops. The NBA Math Hoops game formula is simple in its utilisation of “the four C’s”. Students must collaborate, communicate, think critically and creatively to win. The in-school NBA Math Hoops draft was pure chaotic bliss. Students were scrambling to review player cards, deciphering statistics, using multiplicative thinking, debating player selection with peers, and justifying their decisions. It is always wonderful to watch students practising the skills that will equip them to navigate and thrive in our ever-changing world. I love how the game establishes intrinsic motivation in students to build upon and use their mathematical knowledge. The associated lesson plans effectively scaffold students to practice the relevant mathematical skill while gradually layering the game rules. This means that I didn’t have to be the game expert, and what's more, I liked that I could adapt the rules to support or challenge every student in my class. To sum up my experience, NBA Math Hoops was a series of wonderful surprises. While compiling the semester reports, I was astonished by how many students referenced NBA Math Hoops in their reflective comments, many describing the game as a fun way to learn maths - even students who declare themselves as ‘bad at maths’. Like sneaking vegetables into a pasta sauce, NBA Math Hoops is stealth learning! I would highly recommend the board game and accompanying resources to any educator looking for a way to engage their whole class in mathematical learning, whilst offering a fun and memorable experience that will be a highlight of the school year. To find out more about NBA Math Hoops, please click here Previous Next

Check out the highlights from this year's winter Huddle Holidays program. < Back Winter Huddle Holidays wrap up Previous Next

< Back True North ‘Grit’ with Al-Taqwa College The Huddle's employees share their stories with Truganina students Joshua Raymer Previous Next

< Back Changing the game for young people How The Huddle and its participants foster collaborative partnerships Maddy Ware and John King Previous Next

Over 200 young people joined us these school holidays for new sports, real-life skills, and unforgettable fun across Melbourne. < Back Winter School Holiday Activities for Young People Patrick McPhee 31 July 2025 Over 200 young people joined us these school holidays for new sports, real-life skills, and unforgettable fun across Melbourne. Huddle Holidays Winter 2025 has come to an end and what an awesome way to beat the cold it was! Huddle Holidays is a school holiday program offered at the end of each school term for primary and secondary school students aged 8-18. The program provides children and young people with opportunities to try new experiences, developing their skills and capacity across social inclusion, health and emotional wellbeing, leadership, education, and careers. This time around the juniors (8- to 12-years-old) participated in a Welcome to Tennis clinic, an exciting day of activities planned by The Huddle and a trip to Ice HQ for our annual Ice-Skating activity! These holidays the Junior program focused on providing the opportunity to try something new, build social connections and demonstrate resilience! One junior participant shared that their favourite part of the program was “meeting new people and making good friends”, meeting a key focus of the program to increase a sense of belonging in the community! The first Junior activity, ‘Welcome to Tennis’, was based at the North Melbourne Recreation Centre. Here the young people engaged in a cardio tennis session, one participant shared that “playing tennis was amazing, good and first time experiencing for me.” For many of cohort this was their first experience playing tennis and even holding a racquet! The activity was supported by the Australian Tennis Foundation who provided amazing coaches that facilitated the session as well as supporting a group of young people from Wyndham to access transport to the activity. Providing the opportunity to try new things is always a key focus of Huddle Holidays and introducing a new sport is just one example of how The Huddle achieves this! Next up for the juniors was the Huddle Activity Day! This session was also run at the North Melbourne Recreation Centre with a bus being provided for young people coming from the Wyndham region. The Activity Day provided young people the opportunity to engage in a range of different games and activities facilitated by staff from The Huddle such as Rock, Paper, Scissors Evolution, Sprout Ball, I’ve Got a Letter and many more! These activities aimed to support the young people to communicate with each other and through this, foster deeper connections and sense of belonging. One participant shared “it's safe, it makes me familiar and fun”. The value of playing fun games that encourage communication between participants was a highlight of this activity. Days like this encourage young people to have fun while feeling welcomed and safe at programs provided by The Huddle. Ice-Skating was the final event for the Juniors; this year it was run as a merged event with senior participants also attending the same session, providing a nice opportunity for siblings who cross age groups to attend together. This activity was extremely popular booking out in hours! Ice-Skating is an activity that Huddle Holidays aims to do annually, providing the chance to engage in something you might not otherwise, while also demonstrating great resilience as participants learn a challenging new skill, but show that they can get back up and keep trying after they fall. This year the session was run at Ice HQ, whose staff provided a brief intro to skating before supporting the young people to feel safe on the Ice. One participant shared about Ice- Skating, "it was my first time doing and it was really fun” and another identified that “the staff were so inclusive and kind”. We are sure there are plenty of participants ready to sign up for this activity again next year! The senior programming (13- to 18-years-old) saw two additional activities to Ice Skating, these included a competitive 3 v 3 Basketball Tournament and a Barista Course. One explained their experience as “very engaging, I had a lot of fun, I learnt some new skills and made some new friends.” As well as providing opportunities for young people to build connections the senior program tries to include opportunities like the Barista course that support young people develop skills they can use in their everyday lives and add to their resumes. The Basketball tournament was held at Eagle Stadium. It saw many returning players compete and great sportspersonship was demonstrated throughout the day! The winning team on the day featured young people who regularly attend our Huddle Up! Senior program. They had all competed before, but this was their first time winning a tournament run by The Huddle. To learn more about our free Sport and Recreation program head to the link here . The Barista session was run at The Huddle classroom in North Melbourne. Participants learned about the history of coffee, the different types of coffee and how to make them as well as some of the basics behind why coffee works as a business. The general key take away for each person as summed up by one participant was that “It gave me a real-life skill I can apply to my life. I learnt many new things, and it was a great experience overall.” As well as just enjoying “learning how to make coffees and hot chocolates and drinking the hot chocolates”. Another highlight of the activity was inviting staff from the North Melbourne Football Club to stop by and enjoy a free cuppa made by the young people. The Huddle was also lucky to have 3 volunteers attend from the Community Bank Seddon. These workers add so much to the program and are big reason as to why so many young people can attend the program, with their support there was over 200 attendances these holidays! Thanks to our participants, their families, activity providers and partners – Victorian Department of Education and Community Bank Seddon. We couldn’t have this much fun without you! Huddle Holidays will return in September 2025 with an all-new, exciting range of activities across both junior and senior age groups. If you would like and further information or to join our email list to be notified when we launch registrations, please email huddle@nmfc.com.au . Previous Next