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< Back The Huddle launches new 2024-2026 strategy The Huddle is excited to announce its new strategy for 2024-2026, designed to empower all young people to feel like they belong in the places they learn, work, and play. Previous Next

< Back Unleashing the Power of Sport to Improve Numeracy NBA Math Hoops, the quality, easy-to-implement, easy-to-access resource for your classroom. Emily O'Halloran Previous Next

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

Celebrating community in North Melbourne < Back North Melbourne Public Housing Residents Association Community Fair 11 July 2024 Celebrating community in North Melbourne On Saturday, June 29th, 2024, the vibrant community of North Melbourne gathered at 33 Alfred Street to celebrate the official launch of the North Melbourne Public Housing Residents Association (NMPHRA). The inaugural Community Fair was a testament to the rich diversity and spirited culture of our local community. Highlighting Diversity and Community Spirit The Community Fair was a joyous occasion aimed at celebrating the diversity and community spirit that define North Melbourne. From cultural performances to interactive exhibits, the event showcased the myriad of cultures and traditions that thrive within our neighbourhood. In addition to cultural festivities, the Fair also spotlighted the invaluable services provided by local organisations. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about and engage with initiatives that support education, health, and social well-being within our community. Join us in celebrating the spirit of North Melbourne’s public housing community and discover how together, we can continue to foster a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood. Previous Next

< Back Youth-Led Transformation at NMCC Young voices, real impact — a youth-designed space built on trust, creativity, and community. John King Previous Next

< Back Spirit of Tasmania Visit Werribee Secondary College visit the Port of Geelong Previous Next

< Back Amomai's Story The welcoming environment that is fostered at Huddle Up! Steph Webb Previous Next

< Back Huddle trio honoured for services to the community 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 North Media Previous Next

The Huddle's employees share their stories with Truganina students < Back True North ‘Grit’ with Al-Taqwa College Joshua Raymer 16 May 2023 The Huddle's employees share their stories with Truganina students The True North framework focuses on connections, values, identity, grit, mindset, mental health, emotional intelligence, understanding others, teamwork, leadership, and self-awareness. All workshops support young people to develop resilience, build upon their protective factors by identifying and developing their strengths, and increase their understanding of social cohesion through exploring perspectives and stories of others. For a second year running, The Huddle delivered two True North sessions at Al-Taqwa College’s Year 12 Camps. These camps are aimed to provide 100 students with motivation, inspiration, and strategies to succeed in their final year of secondary schooling. To suit the theme of the camps, The Huddle delivered our ‘Grit’ workshops at both the Boys and Girls camps. The ‘Grit’ workshop explores the importance of students showing resilience and determination - highlighting that to achieve success, an individual must display grit when faced with challenging situations. Importantly, The Huddle had former Al-Taqwa students and community leaders co-facilitate each ‘Grit’ workshop. Saeed Ali (Coordinator, Social Cohesion for Children and Young People, pictured above), Khadija Abdullah (Program Support Officer) and Asli Abdullahi (Coordinator, Social Cohesion for Parents, Women and Families) presented relatable stories demonstrating how they showed grit and determination during their secondary schooling and university studies. The shared experiences of facilitators and students enhanced a sense of connection and understanding between all parties throughout the sessions. The stories told by facilitators resonated strongly with students, and Huddle staff were able to promote how other programs such as Study Squad can help students during their final year of secondary schooling. The Huddle is now working with Al-Taqwa College on integrating more social cohesion through education, or SCTE, initiatives throughout 2023 and beyond. The Huddle recently assisted Al-Taqwa students with running activities at their annual Eid fundraiser, and Al-Taqwa College staff are also utilising The Huddle’s True North Portal and relevant resources to deliver lessons to students. “We really appreciate your team coming out to the camp and running the program. It was definitely beneficial. I’ve also used True North resources during my lessons which were great!” – Urooj Shah, Year 12 Coordinator, Al-Taqwa College Interested in learning more, or accessing free resources? True North and other Huddle educator resources can be found here. Previous Next

< Back 'Laz' rises to claim Peter Scanlon Community Award The efforts of midfielder Charlie Lazzaro have been recognised with the Peter Scanlon Community Award for 2022 Samantha Weston Previous Next

The Next Generation in Schools Program < Back Inspiring the Next Generation Xavier Smith 29 June 2023 The Next Generation in Schools Program The Next Generation in Schools (NGS) program, developed by the North Melbourne Football Club, is an initiative aimed at igniting passion and participation for Australian Rules Football and the North Melbourne Kangaroos among young people in Melbourne, Wyndham, and Tasmania. With a focus on increasing football participation, fostering brand awareness for the club, and promoting the values of The Huddle, the NGS program has emerged as a launchpad for inspiring the next generation of football enthusiasts. Eddie Ford returns to his old school, Point Cook College P-9, to help run an NGS session with The Huddle team. The NGS program targets children aged 8 to 12 (Grade 3-6), both males and females. The program aims to address two significant challenges: the limited availability of free introductory football programs that offer a positive first experience in a safe environment, and the need to enhance brand awareness for the North Melbourne Football Club within schools. The Next Generation in Schools program provides primary school-aged children with a unique opportunity to learn and experience Australian Rules Football within the familiar environment of their own schools. Through the program, young participants not only gain fundamental football skills but also have the chance to develop teamwork and leadership qualities through engaging game-based activities. The program aims to create a positive and inclusive environment where children can build confidence and explore their potential. For some, the NGS program is their first and, in some cases, only exposure to the AFL. While delivering the program at Bellbridge Primary in Hoppers Crossing, there was one student who initially seemed disengaged, playing with the footy by himself and not fully participating. The teacher revealed that he had recently arrived in the country and didn't speak English, making it challenging for him to comprehend the activities and understand AFL. Understanding the situation, the program facilitator took the initiative to play one-on-one with the student, witnessing the joy he experienced in simply chasing and kicking the footy. As the session progressed, it became evident that he was reluctant to finish or return the football. Recognizing the impact it had on the young boy, the facilitator approached him and explained that he could keep the footy and take it home. From then on, the student brought the footy to school every day, becoming an important tool for him to feel a sense of belonging amongst his new friends. The NGS program has yielded numerous positive outcomes for its participants, including increased physical and mental activity levels, opportunities to connect and learn from The Huddle staff, volunteers, and peers, and the development of confidence to try new things. Additionally, the program has fostered greater trust in external services and support systems. The Next Generation in Schools program has already made a significant impact, reaching almost 20,000 young participants across over 100 schools in the Wyndham, North Melbourne, and Tasmanian regions. The program has extended its influence beyond school grounds through North Melbourne player appearances, which have engaged 2,200 students from 29 different schools and fostered connections with 11 community football clubs. Notably, these initiatives have resulted in 47 new football registrations within the Wyndham area. Educators involved in the NGS program have expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the initiative. They recognize the positive impact the program has on their students, providing opportunities for growth and enjoyment. We love having North Melbourne come back every year, the kids absolutely love learning and playing footy. For many of our kids, it's the only time they will play footy, and they love it. - Educator from participating school Looking ahead, the NGS program aims to continue running clinics throughout Terms 3 and 4, engaging more young people, schools, and educators in the world of Australian Rules Football, The Huddle, and the North Melbourne Football Club. The program's ongoing commitment to inspiring the next generation highlights its dedication to fostering a love for the sport and nurturing future football stars. To learn more about NGS, or to register your school’s interest, please click here . Previous Next

A celebration of youth, energy, and community. < Back Ramadan Soccer Tournament: Uniting Communities Through Sport at North Melbourne Moukhtar Daher 2 Apr 2025 A celebration of youth, energy, and community. The Ramadan Soccer Tournament at the North Melbourne Recreational Centre was held in partnership with AMSSA Youth Connect over three weekends in March, with games played on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm – 1am, allowing those observing Ramadan to fully participate. Eight teams, predominantly from North Melbourne, Flemington, and Kensington participated in this vibrant and energetic competition with strong support from local families and community leaders, showcasing the power of sport to foster community spirit and youth engagement. Ramadan Soccer Tournament Highlights: Stronger Community & Connection; The tournament brought together 8 competitive teams and over 150 spectators each night , creating an electric atmosphere. Beyond the sport, it fostered deep connections across generations, strengthening bonds between youth, parents, and community leaders. Resilience & Mental Strength; Players demonstrated remarkable perseverance, competing while fasting and attending night prayers. They adapted to the physical and mental challenges of Ramadan, developing a resilient mindset and learning to manage stress more effectively. Spiritual & Personal Growth; Participants reported a heightened sense of faith and motivation , with many expressing that their experiences reinforced the belief that "anything is possible with faith." The discipline built during the tournament extended beyond Ramadan, helping players form better habits in nutrition, fitness, and daily routines. Physical & Athletic Development; Competing while fasting pushed players to new limits, enhancing stamina, endurance, and overall fitness. This was particularly evident among those playing at a professional level, such as in the Melbourne Premier League (MPL), who noted performance improvements. Breaking Barriers & Fostering Inclusion; By bringing together young people from diverse communities across Melbourne, the tournament became more than just a game—it was a platform for overcoming social and cultural divides, encouraging teamwork, unity, and mutual respect. Young people in the inner city areas of North Melbourne, Flemington and Kensington face a lack of organised, engaging and affordable activities. Especially during Ramadan many often struggle to find positive outlets for their energy, particularly during the evenings after breaking their fast. The tournament sought to create an inclusive space where young people could come together to stay active, engage with their peers, and experience a sense of community. Additionally, there was a need for an event that bridged the gap between neighbouring North Melbourne communities and youth from other suburbs, including Dandenong and Wyndham - Hoppers Crossing, to connect. The aim was to provide a platform for healthy competition and interaction, all while fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the community. The Ramadan Soccer Tournament provided the perfect solution to these challenges. By organising an exciting and inclusive event during the Ramadan period, young people were given a healthy, engaging activity that kept them active and involved in their community. The tournament not only offered an outlet for physical activity but also created an environment where players from diverse backgrounds could form friendships and break down social barriers. Each night the event brought around 80 participants together with more than 150 regular spectators - comprising local youths, parents, and community leaders, filling the North Melbourne Recreational Centre with energy and excitement. The tournament's success was built on its ability to foster both competition and camaraderie among the youth. This environment encouraged personal growth, teamwork, and leadership among the young athletes, while also strengthening the bonds between the wider community and local leaders. The tournament successfully achieved its goal of engaging youth and building community spirit. The packed recreation centre, with its buzzing atmosphere, was a testament to how sports can energise and unify a community. Moreover, the event's ability to bridge the gap between different neighbourhoods was a significant achievement, helping to foster greater understanding and friendships across diverse groups, and reinforcing the tournament's role in community-building. "It’s amazing to see so many young people come together for the tournament from all different parts of Melbourne, all with one common goal—to play soccer and build community. and then to win that tournament, I’m going home happy." – Tournament Participant/ player of winning team Previous Next