< Back Volunteer profile - Tess Beagley No one can deny that in the past two years, every member of the community faced challenges like never before Riley Goodwin Previous Next

< Back Uniting Communities Through Sport at North Melbourne A celebration of youth, energy, and community Previous Next

Ayden takes part in the Guard of Honour during AFL Indigenous Round < Back Participant profile: Ayden Bartlett Riley Goodwin 15 June 2022 Ayden takes part in the Guard of Honour during AFL Indigenous Round If you keep in the loop with The Huddle, you may have seen one of our participants take part in the Guard of Honour during AFL Indigenous Round this year. That participant is Ayden Bartlett Keppler, and that is only part of his journey at The Huddle. Ayden, age 13, first became involved with The Huddle in March this year, signing up to our Huddle Up! Seniors sessions at Manor Lakes P-12 College. His older sister had been attending the program, so he wanted to join in and check it out himself. Since then, Ayden has been coming to Huddle Up! consistently each week for the whole year. His favourite sport is AFL, and he also enjoys cooking and all things technology. An enthusiastic participant, Ayden is always creating new activities and games for The Huddle participants and even gets the staff to join in, since taking part in the program he has developed a love for indoor soccer, bocce (similar to lawn bowls) and badminton. "Ayden is constantly teaching me something each week at programs, whether it's how to complete a Rubix cube in 48 seconds, or anything sporty! He is always a joy in our programs delivering the vibes and the DJ tunes each week!" Community Sprot and Recreation Coordinator Candela Ferreyra Bas stated. Due to being a stand-out in the Huddle Up! Seniors cohort and a proud First Nations boy, Ayden was invited to the Guard of Honour for this North Melbourne Kangaroos Indigenous Round. Ayden attended the amazing experience with his younger brother Riley, who from that day, became a member of Roo Squad. Since his awesome experiences with The Huddle and at North Melbourne Kangaroos games, Ayden is a convert to the football club. Recently Ayden, his brother Riley, and his father Scott attended the Round 13 game versing the Giants to show their support for the club. Staff and volunteers at The Huddle admire Ayden’s commitment to the Huddle Up! Program. The energy he brings to each session with a big smile on his face makes The Huddle staff excited to see him each week! Previous Next

The program connects 18-25 year olds in Melbourne and Wyndham with paid, real-world employment opportunities and career development support. < Back The Huddle and Marvel Stadium team up to launch 'Game Changers' employment pathway John King 4 June 2026 The program connects 18-25 year olds in Melbourne and Wyndham with paid, real-world employment opportunities and career development support. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6c603d_88b7194eac0c4094927ffc98321bcbbf/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 The Huddle is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Marvel Stadium to deliver an innovative employment initiative through the Game Changers program. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between education and meaningful employment for young people aged 18-25 across the City of Melbourne and Wyndham. By integrating Marvel Stadium’s industry-leading operations with The Huddle, the program provides a direct pipeline for diverse young talent into customer experience roles at one of Australia’s largest sports and entertainment venues. Since its inception in 2010, The Huddle has worked to empower young people through the power of sport. The Game Changers program takes this mission further by utilising project-based learning workshops and networking sessions to develop essential employability skills. The Huddle's CEO Cam McLeod said he is excited to partner with Marvel Stadium to provide direct access to customer experience roles for young people through the Game Changers program. "Collaborating on a Marvel Stadium-themed Game Changers program provides a unique opportunity for young people to see what it is like working for one of Australia’s premier live sports and events stadiums,” McLeod said. "Working directly with Marvel staff helps break down barriers young people face when seeking employment and allows us to provide ongoing support to ensure talented young people are able to thrive. Having young people from diverse backgrounds working at venues hosting AFL matches exposes these young people and their communities to our game.” This partnership goes beyond simple recruitment; it is a strategic effort to ensure the AFL environment reflects the diverse communities it serves. By placing young people from diverse backgrounds into key frontline roles, the initiative increases visibility and fosters a sense of belonging for families who may be new to Australian Rules Football. “Marvel Stadium is a place where people from all walks of life come together to experience world-class events, and it’s important that our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities who fill Marvel Stadium throughout the year,” Fitzgerald said. “The Huddle through Game Changers is doing incredible work to create meaningful career pathways for young people, and we’re proud to support this initiative to continue delivering world-class experiences at Marvel Stadium.” Previous Next

Riley's Game Changers Story < Back Leaping Into Employment Emily Maiorana 20 July 2023 Riley's Game Changers Story Feeling job ready and understanding career opportunities can be both an overwhelming and difficult concept to grasp for those in the early stages of their job seeking journey. Young people within our community consistently face barriers to employment and are often not exposed to available support services. This leads to challenges in obtaining meaningful employment and affects their confidence to apply for roles. Young people are told their lack of experience is a main reason for not being successful when applying for roles. We also know young people struggle to find meaningful opportunities to gain relevant work experience. Game Changers fills the experience gap by providing real world opportunities for young people to develop experience and transferable skills through our workshops, Pitch Event and Employment Experiences. Fostering a hands on and problem-solving based learning approach, Game Changers creates an environment where all people feel they can belong and are able to develop skills essential to successfully obtaining sustainable employment. Empowered to reflect and identify their own strengths, Game Changers provides participants with the chance to create and pitch their ideas and solutions to a social issue to a panel of industry experts. Successful program participants can also take part in a paid Employment Experience working on a project at The Huddle. Riley is a 17-year-old male born and raised in Wyndham. Riley has been a participant in The Huddle’s Huddle Up! And Huddle Holidays programs since 2022. His commitment and enthusiastic character led staff to encourage Riley to register for Game Changers in Wyndham. “They told me I would be a perfect fit and after completing the course and Pitch Event I can say that everyone who had suggested the program was correct. I had a blast.” Riley attended four days of workshops, learning about ideation frameworks, problem solving and transferable skills and was able to meaningfully connect with his peers, displaying excellent leadership qualities in the process. Posed with the question “How can we create an engaging and sustainable event for young people in Wyndham which leverages the power of sport to promote social inclusion? ” Riley worked in a collaborative partnership with other participants to create a presentation highlighting their lived experiences in struggling to access sport when growing up. They also provided insights into how they didn’t feel accepted in many organised sports clubs and competitions because of their cultural identity. Their idea to help young people facing similar challenges was to hold a series of free sports clinics and events, which also celebrated the cultural diversity of the participants involved. Riley’s passion and ideas captivated staff at The Huddle, leading to him being offered a paid Employment Experience, working on the implementation of the Spring Huddle Slam, a basketball tournament for young people within his local community. “Game Changers has provided me with an amazing position in helping design the next Huddle basketball tournament and I am looking forward to being able to work surrounded by intelligent and fun people who share my love of sports and creating an inclusive environment.” By participating in Game Changers, Riley was able to improve his transferable skills, gain experience and be more confident within himself. “The Game Changers program has helped me be more aware of the career opportunities available, I will definitely be suggesting any future programs like this one to friends, as a lesson I have learned from participating in Game Changers is that everyone deserves a chance to be able to showcase their talent, and have it be seen and put to use with the help of experts in the field”. Riley will begin his paid Employment Experience in July 2023 and hopes to work casually within other sports programs at The Huddle. The Huddle would like to thank program partner Equal Ed and funding partner Wyndham City Council for their support of Game Changers in Wyndham. If you are interested in participating in Game Changers or would like tailored 1-on-1 career support* from The Huddle, please contact: Emily Maiorana - Careers Coordinator (The Huddle) Email: Emily.Maiorana@nmfc.com.au Phone: 0478 756 418 * 1-on-1 Game Changers sessions by appointment 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 https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_c74ff598046f445c83274fcfd8e65fd2/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 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

Bella is Shaping Her Future Through Skills, Community, and Opportunity < Back A Game Changer in Wyndham Emily Maiorana 26 Feb 2025 Bella is Shaping Her Future Through Skills, Community, and Opportunity Belamedha (Bella) is a passionate and driven young resident of Wyndham, committed to broadening her skill set and experiences to shape her future. With a deep belief in the power of youth to inspire and drive change, she has actively engaged in various initiatives that empower young people. So, when the opportunity to join Game Changers was presented, by the Youth Team Leader at Wyndham Youth Services, Bella eagerly embraced it. Game Changers is designed to help young people develop and showcase their transferable skills through workshops, coaching, and real-world employment experiences. The program equips participants with the confidence and knowledge to take control of their early careers while gaining valuable insights into the professional world. From November to December 2024, Bella, alongside six other young people from Wyndham, took part in the program. Through interactive workshops, they refined their communication skills, strengthened their confidence in job interviews, and deepened their understanding of effective networking. Participants also worked in groups to address the central question, "How can Chirnside Park better support the wellbeing, social connections, and health needs of young people in Wyndham?" . Which aligns with the broader priorities of The Huddle, North Melbourne Football Club, and Wyndham Council. Reflecting on the experience, Bella shared, "It allowed us to identify community needs and create meaningful solutions. I found the experience incredibly valuable". The highlight of Game Changers is our Pitch Night, where participants expand their professional networks while showcasing their ideas to a panel of industry experts. The event, held at Wyndham Council, brought together council representatives, sports and recreation specialists, and youth engagement experts. Bella and her team introduced their initiative, Diversely Chirnside , which leverages the power of cultural dance to foster community connection. "Pitch Night was exciting, everyone made me feel comfortable, and I was honoured to meet such experienced professionals," Bella reflected. In recognition of their dedication, all participants were offered Program Support Officer roles with The Huddle as part of our Employment Experience program. In this role, Bella and her peers will help deliver an event during the April school holidays, allowing for further activation of the space and engaging the wider community. Bella's journey in Game Changers is a testament to the power of collaboration in creating positive change, not just in career development, but in personal impact. Since completing the program, she has continued her involvement with The Huddle, including participating in Huddle Holidays, where she created lasting memories, such as attending the Australian Open. Bella's story is one of growth, leadership, and the drive to make a difference, both for herself and her community. Previous Next

10-year-old Oscar and his teammate The Rip City Roos bring home the trophy from New York. < Back Oscar Becomes First Aussie to Win NBA Math Hoops Global Championship 15 Aug 2025 10-year-old Oscar and his teammate The Rip City Roos bring home the trophy from New York. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_9b4ef06094b4457788b1aa3f689e5476/480p/mp4/file.mp4 Credit: Tatenda Chibika, Reporter, ABC Earlier this year, 10-year-old Oscar swapped his classroom for the bright lights of New York City — and returned home as the first Australian to win the NBA Math Hoops Global Championship . Representing The Huddle and teaming up with fellow competitor Kingston, the duo — competing under the name The Rip City Roos — went head-to-head with 24 other of the world’s best teams. Over three days of competition, they showcased sharp maths skills, basketball strategy, and plenty of teamwork to claim the championship trophy. “I was actually speechless,” Oscar said. “For a kid who always talks about basketball and maths, I didn’t have anything to say!” NBA Math Hoops is a hands-on, curriculum-aligned program that combines the excitement of basketball with the problem-solving of mathematics. Players draft NBA and WNBA stars to build their teams, then solve timed maths problems to “take shots” and score points. It’s an engaging way to strengthen numeracy, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills — and, as Oscar proved, it can take you all the way to an international stage. Oscar first discovered Math Hoops in his school maths lessons. “It was so fun combining my passions — basketball and maths,” he said. His class, teachers, and peers played a big role in his success, with many helping him prepare before his trip. Alongside Kingston, The Rip City Roos kept their cool under pressure, outsmarting and outscoring opponents from around the globe. For both players, the championship was more than just a game — it was a chance to learn, connect, and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “If you don’t make it, that doesn’t matter — at least you learned,” said one of the student competitors. “And you tried.” The Huddle is proud to deliver the NBA Math Hoops program in Australia, giving young people like Oscar the chance to develop essential life skills in a fun and engaging way. His achievement is a testament to what’s possible when sport meets STEM, and when young people are supported to aim high. Congratulations, Oscar and Kingston, on bringing the Global Championship trophy home to Australia — and for inspiring the next generation of Math Hoopers. Learn more about NBA Math Hoops and how The Huddle brings sport and STEM together in classrooms across Victoria by clicking HERE. Previous Next

I am going to The Huddle to take part in an excursion called Game Day. Check out what the day looks like. < Back My Visit At The Huddle For Game Day Tam Shama 28 Jan 2026 I am going to The Huddle to take part in an excursion called Game Day. Check out what the day looks like. Arriving When we arrive at The Huddle, I will listen to my teacher. If we travelled by bus, I will get off the bus and wait in a safe spot on the footpath. If we came by public transport I will walk with my group and listen to my teacher. I will stay away from the road. When I arrive, it might be noisy. I will be able to hear traffic from the road. I will listen to the instructions from my teacher. Entry Our coach from The Huddle will meet us when we arrive. We will go inside the glass doors and wait in front of the trophies. I will listen while our coach gives us some instructions. Toilets If I need to go to the toilet, I will ask my teacher first. The toilets are used by people who come to use the basketball courts and gym, so there might be some people I don’t know inside. I will make sure I take someone with me if I need to go to the toilet. Inside The Huddle Our coach will take us to the doors of The Huddle. I will listen to our coach before I go inside. The screens inside The Huddle will be bright and might be noisy. I can take deep breaths and remember that my teacher is there to help. I can ask my coach for some earmuffs to wear that will help quiet the noise. Classroom When we are inside the classroom, we will put our school bags and hats away on the blue shelves and then we will sit down in a green chair at the front of the room. Our coach will explain the activity we are doing. We will be put into small groups to work together. We will complete the first activity. It will be noisy, and we will be moving around the room. If I need help or have a question, I can ask my teacher, who will be there to support me. After the first activity, we will pack up and we might help to set up some tables and chairs. Then we will have our recess break. I will stay in the classroom to eat my recess. My teacher will tell me where to sit. There are bins in the classroom for me to put away any rubbish. I will put my lunchbox back in my bag when the teacher tells us it’s time. Simulation Stadium After recess, we will go into a different room called the Simulation Stadium. It will be dark when we go in. I will sit with my group on a stool and listen to our coach. There are big TV screens on the wall, and they will light up suddenly. Other students may feel excited and talk about what they see. It will be noisy. My coach has earmuffs I can use if it is too noisy. We will listen to the coach explain the activities we are going to complete. I will complete the activities with my group. It might be noisy while we complete the activities. If it is too noisy for me, I will let an adult know. We will stay in the Simulation Stadium for three activities, with breaks in between. I will listen to the coach who will help me if I don’t know what to do. Break times We will have 2 breaks – a recess break and a lunch break. Our recess break will be in the classroom. Our lunch break will be either outside on the futsal court if it is sunny, or inside on the basketball court or in the classroom if it is raining. My teacher will tell me where I can play. Leaving After we have finished, I will listen to my teacher. I will collect my things from the blue shelves and line up. I will walk out of The Huddle with my teacher and my classmates. On the trip home, I will listen to my teacher, so we get back to school safely. The Huddle coaches Amy Hi, I’m Amy. I am one of the Game Day coaches. You might see me when you come to The Huddle. You will do AFL themed activities and learn how to work as a team. I love footy and teaching students about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. When I am not coaching, I like going to the beach, hanging out with my friends, and watching K-Pop Demon Hunters. A fun fact about me is that I can name every country in the world! Taylor Hello, I’m Taylor. I work at The Huddle. I might be your Game Day coach. Together, we will do some AFL themed activities and learn about teamwork and your character strengths. I love footy and learning with all the students that come to The Huddle. When I am not coaching, I like to do crafts, spend time in the bush, and hang out with my cat and dog. A fun fact about me is that I collect Select Footy Cards! Previous Next

Helping young people in their career development and teaching them transferable skills. < Back Changing the game with Game Changers! 12 July 2024 Helping young people in their career development and teaching them transferable skills. Changing the game through Game Changers! Game Changers offers participants the chance to acquire employability, transferable, and project management skills through workshops, one-on-one Career Coaching, and supported Employment Experiences. Additionally, participants engage in educational workshops and forums with industry professionals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and networks. Game Changers is a collaborative initiative with youth-led cultural groups in our communities to cater to the needs of local youth. It also enables The Huddle to support these groups in developing skills, knowledge, and networks for a collective impact. We express our gratitude to the Ubuntu Project for their assistance and support throughout the program. Previous Next

The River Nile School has partnered with The Huddle to empower students' leadership and sense of belonging. < Back Empowering Young Women to Learn, Grow and Belong with the River Nile School Josh Raymer 19 Sept 2024 The River Nile School has partnered with The Huddle to empower students' leadership and sense of belonging. For several years, the River Nile School in North Melbourne has partnered with The Huddle to participate in a range of different programs that empower their student’s leadership and sense of belonging through sports, education, and community engagement. The River Nile School offers full time senior secondary qualifications to support young women from a refugee background, who may have experienced disrupted schooling or find a flexible learning environment most suitable to their learning. We facilitated our True North program in River Nile School classrooms on multiple occasions to help develop students’ leadership, connections, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and resilience. By participating in various activities, the students find out more about themselves and others, including their identity and their values. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_e6cc280df5c149529525250e6dddba41/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 River Nile School students also made the short trip down to the North Melbourne Recreation Centre to participate in our Huddle Up! program which brings young people together to participate in sports and recreational activities. Not only does Huddle Up! promote physical health, but it also continues to strengthen the social connections, teamwork, and a sense of belonging built through the True North sessions. River Nile School students have been actively participating in Huddle Up! and enjoyed the benefits of being physically active in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Staff at River Nile School have observed a marked improvement in students’ engagement and wellbeing, as well as providing new opportunities and perspectives that engaged students and provided them with a stronger sense of belonging and greater community connections. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_470e321d7cf04c54a10e5a43483505a4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Students have echoed this sentiment by sharing that they have become more confident, emotionally intelligent, physically active and socially connected. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_c446244402d84005b47fea01ff2bc812/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 The long-standing relationship between The Huddle and the River Nile School has provided students with a more supportive educational environment to empower their students to learn, grow and belong, and this relationship will continue to be strengthened in years to come. Previous Next

Ascot Vale West PS students got the first crack at GOAL! Kangaroos < Back GOAL! Kangaroos Takes Over Arden St! Jasper Menor 21 Feb 2025 Ascot Vale West PS students got the first crack at GOAL! Kangaroos GOAL! Kangaroos officially launched at Community Camp, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick things off! To help us refine and perfect our latest footy-themed STEM lessons, we teamed up with Ascot Vale West Primary School for a live demo. The students made their way to Arden St. the North Melbourne Football Club’s home turf , where they got hands-on with our newest lessons. From building kicking machines to see who could kick the furthest, to redesigning Arden St. footy facilities to help the Kangas win. They had a blast testing their skills! As if that wasn’t exciting enough, we had a special guest appearance from Emma Kearney , the captain of the AFLW North Melbourne Kangaroos , who’s featured in our lesson “ Kicking Machine .” The kids were absolutely stoked to see Emma in action and take their own kicks alongside a true footy legend! The students had a ripper time and absolutely crushed the lessons, making it a day to remember. Get your hands on GOAL! Kangaroos today and get your students in the game! Previous Next