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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 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

Building confidence and essentials skills through Game Changers. < Back Nabiha's experience through Game Changers! Emily Maiorana 28 Oct 2024 Building confidence and essentials skills through Game Changers. Nabiha Mohamed, recently completed Game Changers at The Huddle, working collaboratively with her peers to answer the question how can we plan a multi-sport event that promotes participation and social inclusion. “I heard about Game Changers from my educational program. What I enjoyed about Game Changers was to get to know the other girls in the group and also learning about skills I can use in my job and future wise and how to improve in getting a job in the future.” Through capacity building workshops, Nabiha used ideation strategies to develop and refine ideas that answered the question, before conceptually designing a program that could delivered in a community setting. Working in groups, participants then created engaging presentations to pitch their ideas to a panel industry professionals at our Game Changers Pitch Event. “My pitch was with a group of two other girls and it was based about a multi-sport for inclusion and we did it for people with disabilities and also students that are facing disadvantage in their homes.” Game Changers provides young people with opportunities to learn and develop essential skills through problem solving and project management activities, providing an immersive and engaging experience that replicates modern work environments and expectations. “What I learned in Game Changes was transferable skills that I can use in my future with getting a job and my career. I think it (has) helped me improve to speaking to people and with my confidence.” Check out Nabiha’s time with us in Game Changers in the video below. Previous Next

Available for purchase from the Roo Shop < Back Huddle Tote Bags For Sale 23 Apr 2024 Available for purchase from the Roo Shop The 2024 Huddle Tote Bag is now available for purchase from the Roo Shop! Click here to purchase yours for just $5 today: https://shop.nmfc.com.au/huddle-tote-bag/ Previous Next

< Back Coach Howard starts new club How Howard became the driving force behind volleyball in the West Steph Webb Previous Next

< Back Multicultural Honour Roll of The Huddle's Advisory Committee Member Gary Lee inducted into the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll! Don Doughty Previous Next

< Back My Visit At The Huddle For Game Day I am going to The Huddle to take part in an excursion called Game Day. Check out what the day looks like. Tam Shama Previous Next

How lived experience, storytelling, and resilience are shaping more inclusive pathways into the game we love. < Back A Game for Everyone: Nima’s Journey Through AFL Fraser Moorfield 27 Aug 2025 How lived experience, storytelling, and resilience are shaping more inclusive pathways into the game we love. Off the back of our wildly successful W2AFL program this past weekend, we had the pleasure of premiering a very special video involving Nima who is the National Cultural Diversity Engagement & Participation Manager at the AFL. Nima has been a valued partner with The Huddle across multiple programs, helping us connect with new and diverse communities, introducing them to the game we love — but more importantly, he brings a depth of lived experience and storytelling that resonates deeply with our participants. We first met Nima during our Game Changers program, where he joined as a panellist, as well as jumping in to support our participants as they developed their ideas for our pitch night. It was clear from his first visit that he had an amazing ability to connect meaningfully with our participants — sharing some of the challenges he faced following a non-traditional career path and the realities of navigating employment alongside the strengths you can gain from it. As the National Cultural Diversity Engagement & Participation Manager at the AFL, Nima’s work aligns beautifully with what we aim to do at our W2AFL program and the wider Huddle, creating inclusive, welcoming pathways for all. So, we sat down with him to talk about his journey — how he fell in love with AFL, the challenges he’s overcome following a non-traditional career pathway, and how those experiences have shaped the work he’s doing today to make the game accessible for all communities. 🎥 In this video, Nima shares personal reflections on his journey falling in love with the sport of AFL and the broader efforts across the AFL to ensure it truly is a sport for everyone. Stay tuned for more from Nima because this is a story worth hearing. Previous Next

< Back Oscar Becomes First Aussie to Win NBA Math Hoops Global Championship 10-year-old Oscar and his teammate The Rip City Roos bring home the trophy from New York. Previous Next

The Huddle and Motorsport Australia are proud to announce a new partnership to integrate motorsport into Australian schools < Back Motorsport joins The Huddle 12 June 2024 The Huddle and Motorsport Australia are proud to announce a new partnership to integrate motorsport into Australian schools Aligned to the Australian and Victorian curriculum and New South Wales syllabus, GOAL! is a free online motorsport-themed curriculum designed to strengthen students’ knowledge and use of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from grades 5 to 8. The new motorsport lessons are now available through The Huddle’s website for teachers eager to engage their students in the classroom. The lesson plans, designed in collaboration with the Mathematical Association of Victoria, provide opportunities for students to try new and exciting challenges, including designing a race car, engineering a racetrack, building a Supercars Championship team with a limited budget, designing a rally course, designing and building a helmet for an egg and more. The Huddle’s CEO Cameron McLeod said the opportunity to welcome motorsport to the growing list of sports collaborating with The Huddle to strengthen education and employment for young people is significant. “Motorsport has a big global footprint and a large following here in Australia,” McLeod said. “The lesson plans have been designed by teachers, for teachers to help engage their students to learn and apply STEM in the real-world.” “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the team at Motorsport Australia who have a genuine passion for community and helping to showcase the skills and talents of young people from diverse backgrounds.” Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra said the program would be an important asset to further grow the sport’s following, while assisting students with their education. “The Huddle has a proud history in the community, and we all know the power sport can have with engaging young people in their education,” Vohra said. “We’re excited to have partnered with The Huddle to deliver this very special education experience. “These sorts of initiatives are extremely important for the continued growth in motorsport, running alongside our fantastic junior development programs such as FIA Girls On Track and First Gear. Combine that with the clear educational benefits this program provides, and we know this partnership will be a clear winner.” Find out more at thehuddle.org.au/motorsportaustralia About The Huddle: Born out of the role and value of sport and the influence the North Melbourne Football Club plays in connecting people across different ages, genders, and cultures; The Huddle was established in 2010 as the community arm of the Club in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation and the Australian Multicultural Foundation. It was established to engage, support, and empower young people to build on their strengths, increase their ability to participate in society and contribute to more socially inclusive communities. The Huddle works with some of the most iconic sporting clubs in the world to help young people learn, grow, and belong in the places where they live, learn, work, worship, and play. Since 2010, The Huddle has engaged over 155,000 young people from over 160 different cultures to help them learn, grow and feel a stronger sense of belonging to their community. About Motorsport Australia: As a member-based organisation, we exist for our members. Motorsport Australia (previously the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport), has been the custodian of motorsport since 1953, facilitating motorsport across the country, under delegation by the sport’s global governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Over the 70 years since CAMS was founded we have worked to grow the sport, adapt to the latest technology and most importantly, deliver a safe, fair and inclusive sport for everyone to enjoy. Motorsport Australia currently has approximately 25,000 active competition licence holders, along with 10,000 volunteer officials who are the lifeblood of motorsport. About the Mathematical Association of Victoria: The Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV) is the Victorian professional membership body for mathematics educators and schools across the education sector. MAV reaches educators directly through membership, schools and a range of direct professional services. Everything they do is about supporting better mathematics outcomes for students. They do this by equipping and empowering incredible educators by helping them every day. MAV is a highly respected, proactive professional association that fosters the promotion of mathematics education. Previous Next

In partnership with Mott MacDonald, The Huddle has won the 2023 Asia Pacific Audio Visual Industry Award for the best application of AV in Education < Back The Huddle Claims Prestigious AV Industry Award North Media 5 Sept 2023 In partnership with Mott MacDonald, The Huddle has won the 2023 Asia Pacific Audio Visual Industry Award for the best application of AV in Education It is one of the most prestigious awards in the Australian AV Industry and was handed out in Sydney last week. The Huddle’s immersive education program 'Game Day' is helping thousands of students kick goals in the classroom with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The judges at the event praised the community engagement aspects of the project and the way it enables a new and immersive approach to teaching STEM. Previous Next

< Back Cultural Exercise Empowerment Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women Asli Abdullahi Previous Next