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

On Tuesday, June 9, The Huddle welcomed students from Giant Steps Melbourne to experience our Game Day excursion. < Back The Value of Accessible Excursions Amy Spurgeon 24 June 2026 On Tuesday, June 9, The Huddle welcomed students from Giant Steps Melbourne to experience our Game Day excursion. Giant Steps is school that specialises in educating and supporting students with autism (ASD) from Foundation to Year 12. They use a transdisciplinary model, which sees teachers and teaching assistants working alongside occupational, speech, behavioural and musical therapists to support students' emotional regulation, communication and learning. Giant Steps are widely recognised as a leader in this space, and we were excited to collaborate with them in designing a version of Game Day that is accessible for cohorts with varied learning needs. A group of 10 students across different grades visited The Huddle to experience the magic of our AFL themed STEM excursion – in a way that was accessible and supported each student’s engagement. Students got hands-on driving the Sphero robots, building Lego creations and getting out onto the football field to practice their footy skills and kick some goals. A particular highlight was the simulation stadium – with students loving the immersive aspect and the feeling of attending a real match day. Luke Evans, the outdoor learning specialist for Giant Steps explained that for students with ASD “access to the community during their school years is essential to increasing outcomes for students later in life. Learning to access the community safely, provides opportunity for increased self-esteem, physical benefits and of course mental health.” We were proud to be able to offer our Game Day excursion in a way that was safe and inclusive, to provide access to these valuable experiences. Adjustments such as a slower pace, visual timetables, movement breaks, providing multiple entry points to activities and measuring success by participation and connection helped make the excursion fun and welcoming for the cohort. The education staff noted that “the day was so inclusive and supportive”. Huge shout out to the Giant Steps team for supporting students’ engagement and going with the flow of the day. This experience also forms part of an ongoing project to embed best practises in accessibility and inclusion across all Huddle programs. At The Huddle we understand the power of sport in bringing people together and aim to ensure that students with all backgrounds and abilities feel that sense of belonging during their visit. We are excited to take our learnings from this visit to develop practical supports for future cohorts. Thank you Giant Steps! Previous Next

The welcoming environment that is fostered at Huddle Up! < Back Amomai's Story Steph Webb 4 Sept 2023 The welcoming environment that is fostered at Huddle Up! Huddle Up! Senior at Eagle Stadium aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for young people to socialise and stay healthy together. On Friday nights, participants are invited to attend and play a social volleyball round robin tournament and practise their skills. Amomai first joined Huddle Up! at Manor Lakes College in May 2022. Since then, they have attended the Eagle Stadium program 29 times, as well as one of Huddle Holiday’s volleyball tournaments. A newcomer to the world of volleyball, Amomai enjoyed coming along just to hang out with their friends. Amomai and their large group were regulars at the Werribee Stadium, and program facilitators became quite familiar with the group of pals. “Before coming to the program, I really liked playing volleyball, but I wasn’t good enough to join a team, so this program has really helped me get better. It’s just really cool here”. - Amomai However, after some time, the group began to slim down, and Amomai was the last participant who remained a constant at the program. It seemed that a growing enjoyment of the program, as well as a development of skill and love of volleyball, were the main contributors to Amomai’s commitment. Based on how much Amomai’s skills and confidence had improved, they continued to come down weekly to the sessions without their friends. I was able to make new friends at The Huddle once my friends stopped coming. I didn’t have a team but now I have two different teams that I can join each week.” - Amomai Thanks in part to the welcoming environment that is fostered at Huddle Up!, Amomai came down each week to the program with the confidence to make new friends. They always are the first to put their hand up and assist with scoring or fixturing teams. “Personally, I have seen Amomai’s confidence grow, not only in terms of their volleyball skills but also ability to join in with anyone and make all young people feel welcomed into the program just as they have experienced.” – Program Facilitator Amomai has made countless friends through Huddle Up!, and shares that they all regularly hang out outside of the program. Within the program, they have found that they are less worried about being vulnerable or making mistakes while learning new skills, thanks to these newfound friendships. “It’s my favourite sport. Before I used to stay home and now, I have something to look forward to after school”. As Amomai's story illustrates, Huddle Up! is not just about playing volleyball; it's about creating lasting bonds and offering young people a place to grow, both in skill and confidence. Huddle Up Senior at Eagle Stadium, continues to run every Friday night from 4:30pm-6:15pm and 6:15pm-8pm on Court 12. Register via the link here Previous Next

The Huddle and WBA partner to empower the next generation. < Back From the Court to the Career: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders Fraser Moorfield and Hazel Marsh 13 Mar 2026 The Huddle and WBA partner to empower the next generation. In October of 2025, Abdul, Daryoush and Czar, joined our Game Changers program at The Huddle. After previously engaging with our pilot youth designed and lead program, Huddle In, they sought to develop their own leadership, professionalism and transferrable skills through the project development and management opportunities offered in Game Changers. Further opportunities to develop their skills and experiences were available post-program through a paid work experience placement. In partnership with Wyndham Basketball Association (WBA) and funding partner Wyndham City Council, the three participants were offered paid work experience supporting the WBA’s All-Abilities program. As part of the boys’ time there, they ran basketball drills, planned training sessions, worked with participants from varying backgrounds, ages and abilities. They gained valuable interpersonal and leadership skills while also making connections within the community. WBA’s Inclusion and Welfare Officer, Kylie Bozanic agrees, saying, ‘It’s been great having the boys as part of our program. Teaching them and guiding them to learn how we run our programs, having them on court and having them as part of our coaching team has been beneficial’. One of the central aims of the Game Changers program is enhance career outcomes for young people through the power of sport while empowering them to have agency in shaping their future careers and employment pathways. Throughout the group’s time with the Game Changers program at the WBA, they learnt how to effectively lead drills in a way that is safe, inclusive, adaptable and engaging for participants with varying abilities. Czar learnt transferable skills including ‘patience, communication and making sure everyone is included’. These experiences demonstrated how the power of sport can be used as a tool to inclusively engage with young people, while ensuring appropriate safety standards were maintained. Game Changers is also a place where young people can connect socially and strengthen their professional networks. Abdul reflected on how the program provided him the opportunity to meet new people from different cultures, backgrounds and age groups. These relationships extended beyond the program itself with Abdul saying he has ‘Met a lot of new people and made a lot of friends’ that he regularly sees outside of Game Changers, and have provided him with valuable teachings and opportunities that he can apply in professional settings. The group agreed that the skills gained from their experience at Game Changers were transferable into their futures and were excited to explore next steps. Previous Next

Cultivating Skills and Building Lasting Confidence < Back Mastering Confidence: Unleashing Your Inner Game Changer John King 24 Aug 2023 Cultivating Skills and Building Lasting Confidence New research released from headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation (2023) shows only one in two young people feel confident when it comes to succeeding in their current or future career aspirations. The headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey found only 54 per cent of young people felt fairly or very confident in applying for a job. The same survey found only 52 per cent of young people felt they have the necessary skills to succeed in their current or future career. Game Changers supports young people to be critical thinkers, develop transferable skills, define their career pathways, and gain employment with organisations that are welcoming and inclusive. Delivered through collaborative partnerships with youth led cultural groups located within our communities, participants are also brought together through various education workshops and forums, including with industry professionals to grow their confidence, skills, knowledge and networks. Weng Hei Chan (Vanessa) participated in Game Changers in Autumn, joining nineteen other young people to develop and expand on these skill sets. Participants were given a central question during the Game Changers workshops and tasked with creating innovative solutions using ideation and problem-solving frameworks. Working in collaborative groups, participants had to create a media plan and presentation which answered, “how can we tell the stories of elite athletes in a unique and engaging way?". “This program incorporates my two interests: sports and media. It was exciting to think about these two things together every day. Getting to work with something I am passionate about, plus with people sharing the same interest, I enjoyed all the happy, sometimes tough, and brainstorming moments in the program.” While moving through the activities within Game Changers, staff from The Huddle and Ubuntu Project work with groups to identify the various transferrable skills they are using to complete tasks, overcome challenges and solve problems. There is also a focus on how participant’s experiences within Game Changers can be used to demonstrate skills, characteristics and talents that are highly desirable for employers looking to hire young people. “An attitude or behaviour can determine the impression others have of me. And of course, there's no need to hide my personality and differences, because this makes me stand out from others.” After completing their group activities, participants are given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of industry professionals. This also affords them an opportunity to meet with people who are succeeding in the career fields they are interested in, build their professional networks and gain insights into what it takes to get employment in particular industries. At the conclusion of the Pitch Event portion of the Game Changers Programs, The Huddle offer five paid Employment Experiences to participants, who get the opportunity to incorporate their innovative ideas into a program or initiative being delivered by The Huddle. As a result of her participation in Game Changers, Vanessa was able to build her confidence, showcase her talents and gain real-world experience and advice that would benefit her on her career journey. Vanessa was also offered and Employment Experience with The Huddle to help create the next series of True North videos with our AFL and AFLW players. “Game Changers has provided an insight into what workplaces, employers and HR expect in Australia. The information is important to make me more competitive in the job market. Especially, as an international fresh graduate, it's tough to find a job that I like. It also provides an opportunity to apply the skills that I learnt to a media pitch. Through it, I feel I am closer to a real working environment than before. This program has prepared me to become more mature to face the challenges in my future career… and now our team is making True North videos, we participated in and we contributed to every part of the production. The program has allowed me to convert my knowledge into reality, which the university cannot provide.” Game Changers will continue to provide unique and engaging opportunities for young people to gain experience, grow professionally and build their confidence to ensure they have the skills and resilience needed to succeed to the current employment climate. To learn more about Game Changers, please contact: Emily Maiorana, Careers Coordinator at The Huddle. emily.maiorana@nmfc.com.au . Previous Next

W2AFL Lands in Launceston and Hobart across 2 exciting weekends. < Back Welcome 2 AFL, Tasmania Ella Marsh 9 Nov 2023 W2AFL Lands in Launceston and Hobart across 2 exciting weekends. The Welcome to AFL program is making waves by engaging with international students, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and newly arrived members of the community. In a safe and welcoming environment, the program introduces them to the world of AFL, promoting a sense of belonging and ensuring participation in Australia's beloved sporting culture. A group of 60 participants had the opportunity to experience AFL and AFLW across two exciting weekends in Hobart and Launceston. Many had never attended an AFL game before, but through the program, they not only witnessed the North Melbourne vs. Melbourne match but also the game against the Brisbane Lions. After attending Welcome to AFL, The NMFC membership team provided all participants with a 3 game membership to maintain their enthusiasm to attend further AFL and AFLW games. This instalment of "Welcome to AFL" (W2AFL) was held at Blundstone Arena which included a presentation and a unique opportunity for participants to engage with AFLW stars Nicole Bresnahan and Ellie Gavalas in a Q&A session. The attendees were then divided into two groups: UTAS students took part in a clinic conducted by AFL Tasmania, Nicole Bresnahan, and Ellie Gavalas, where they learned to handball and kick. Meanwhile, the Migrant Resource Centre group enjoyed a tour of the stadium, exploring various areas such as function spaces, private boxes, the gym, oval, coaches' boxes, and changerooms. After the activities, they swapped groups and received giveaways and tickets to the upcoming match against Melbourne. UTAS international student, Rosie, shared her experience from her first W2AFL session; “I’m from Wales and arrived in July and I’m spending a year here (Hobart) studying at UTAS. The North Melbourne vs Melbourne match was the first AFL game I’ve seen, I hadn’t heard of AFL until I came to Australia! I thought it was a really interesting game but not what I expected, I thought it would be more like rugby I think, I really enjoyed the game though and am hoping to give it a go and play it for the college next semester!” – Rosie Llewellyn The Welcome to AFL program aims to open the doors to the world of AFL and form connections within the community. The program's success in both Hobart and Launceston has paved the way for further expansion in Hobart and Launceston, where AFL and AFLW games will continue to be a source of excitement and connection. Previous Next

Using all the learnings from Game Changers and using them for the Pitch event. < Back Pitch night with Game Changers! 16 July 2024 Using all the learnings from Game Changers and using them for the Pitch event. Creating an inclusive community sports event 🗣️ During the school holidays, our Game Changers participants went through a myriad of workshops, mentoring sessions and coaching to help them develop transferable skills and create an inclusive sports program with a chance to turn it into a reality. Using the skills and learnings from the course, they pitched their inclusive community sports programs to three panelists where they also had the opportunity to receive employment as well as develop their programs into something tangible. Game Changers run every school holidays! Stay tuned for the next one and join us to develop your skills for the future! We would like to acknowledge our partners Ubuntu Project, Paving the Way Forward and the Victorian State Government Previous Next

Bringing footy and STEM together for an action-packed learning experience < Back GOAL! Kangaroos Kicks Off at Werribee Primary School Jasper Menor 21 Feb 2025 Bringing footy and STEM together for an action-packed learning experience The Huddle’s latest GOAL! Kangaroos lessons officially launched on Monday, February 10, during Community Camp at Werribee Primary School. These FREE , footy-themed STEM lessons , aligned with the Victorian Curriculum , bring learning to life in a way that’s both engaging and educational. What is GOAL! Kangaroos? Designed for year levels 3-5 , GOAL! Kangaroos blends football, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to make learning dynamic and interactive. These lessons are: Free for educators Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum Hands-on and engaging , perfect for active learners and footy fans. Students put their goal-kicking accuracy to the test, simulating shots from nine different angles to analyse the best position for scoring a sausage roll (a goal). The activity combines practical STEM principles with the excitement of footy, creating an unforgettable learning experience. Adding to the fun, North Melbourne Kangaroos players joined in, sharing tips and encouraging students as they kicked goals both in the classroom and on the field. Why Schools Love GOAL! Kangaroos Teachers and students alike have embraced these lessons because they: Make STEM exciting through real-life applications Encourage teamwork and problem-solving Get students active while learning key skills Bring GOAL! Kangaroos to Your School Want to bring these footy-inspired STEM program to your school? Click HERE and get access to 6 brand new footy themed lessons to get your students in the game today! Plus they're completely FREE! Previous Next

How The Huddle and its participants foster collaborative partnerships < Back Changing the game for young people Maddy Ware and John King 24 Nov 2022 How The Huddle and its participants foster collaborative partnerships Due to the pandemic, young people from diverse backgrounds continued to be affected by the structures of the labour market. The “Meet Me in The Middle” report (2020) identified that due to COVID-19, the gap between young people and employers worsened and barriers to employment were exacerbated. The report identified issues such as lack of interpersonal skills, limited access to transport, limited understanding of complex recruitment methods and lack of experience, exacerbated due to the hard lockdowns. Young people aged 15 –24 entering the job market, with little or no work experience, are most vulnerable. Without timely and targeted intervention, young adults looking to access the workforce are at a high risk of missing out on a secure entry into the labour market and, therefore, more likely to experience long-term unemployment, underemployment, and financial hardship. The ongoing economic implications of the pandemic for Australia's youth population are significant. However, these implications will be more acute for many young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. This is due to the intersection of age, the life stage of adolescence, young people's family support role and pre-existing structural barriers to accessing employment (CMY and MYAN, 2020, COVID-19 submission ). The objective of Game Changers, a City of Melbourne Social Partnerships Grant funded initiative, is to provide resume-worthy experiences that will encourage young people to think about their careers and futures. Game Changers develops the employability skills of young people while also encouraging participants to become more aware of self and others. The program bridges the gap between what skills applicants think are necessary for employment and what employers actually want. Through a unique structure of personal and professional development workshops, project development, pitching for funding and project execution, Game Changers provides real-world opportunities to develop the project management and transferable skills of young people from diverse backgrounds, through a collaborative approach and utilising the unique skills of several value-aligned community organisations. The Social Partnerships Grant funding allowed The Huddle to partner with, Young Australian People, Ubuntu Project and YLab to deliver Game Changers twice over a two-year span to two sperate groups of City of Melbourne residents. Based on the success of the program, The Huddle hopes to utilise this model for future employment programs. Game Changers supported young people from diverse backgrounds by providing a well-rounded and collaborative approach to developing transferable skills. Utilising the mentoring abilities and support from Young Australian People and Ubuntu Project, Game Changers kept participants accountable for their attendance in the program, organised transport to and from workshops and encouraged active engagement and opportunities for participants to provide insights into their own lived experiences. Game Changers also utilised the creative abilities of YLab which assisted participants to think about complex ideas and issues such as racism, access to education, cultural expectations and how they can support other young people in their community to move through these experiences while still gaining necessary skills and knowledge. Within the creation and ideation phase delivered by YLab, participants reflected on their own experiences and connected that to what other young people in community need. Participants were then split into groups and encouraged to create a Community Action Project, framed within an issue close to their heart, which met a community need. Game Changers was delivered to two separate groups from the City of Melbourne over a two-year funding cycle. Across both iterations of the program, there were seven Community Action Projects created. The groups had to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of experts to win funding for their projects. In the lead up to the Pitch Event, participants practiced putting together a presentation and presenting in front of a group. This stage of the project saw participants develop their confidence and public speaking abilities as they presented formal pitches in hopes of gaining funding. The development from the workshop stage to the pitch stage included creating and presenting a pitch, organising each group member, and assigning roles and tasks, collecting data and information relevant to their community action project and using their research to help justify the need for their project within the community. Groups also had to provide accurate budget estimates for the cost of their proposed projects and activities. Ubuntu Project is proud of the successes of Game Changers and our delivery of the cultural and vision mapping components. The Pitch Event was a fitting showcase of participants growth in confidence, ambition and knowledge in concept development and presentation. - Nor Shanino, CEO of Ubuntu Project Over the two years of program delivery, The Huddle supported groups to implement their community project, either into existing programs, such as Huddle Holidays, with events being conducted by partner organisations, or as stand-alone community projects. Casual employment with The Huddle was also provided for group members, whose projects were delivered within Huddle Holidays. These approaches allowed participants to experience genuine real-world opportunities to deliver their projects and develop their project management skills and experience. Many of the participants from Game Changers were able to either gain additional casual work from The Huddle, or use the experience to gain employment with other organisations. Game Changers also saw several Year 12 students utilise the experience for university applications, highlighting that the program helped them develop skillsets which could be applied to their chosen field of study. I wanted to say thanks for letting me join the Game Changers program. I found it really beneficial since not only did it allow me to meet new people, but also helped me form networks where I could ask for volunteering opportunities and potentially work. Through the workshops I was able to learn more about the transferable skills that I could use when applying for jobs - whether it’d be answering questions at a job interview or pitching a new business/community project idea. I’d highly recommend this program to anyone who’s looking to develop career goals or need guidance at securing a job. - Rea Tinoy, program participant The Huddle hopes to implement the Game Changers model into regular career programming due to the significant positive impacts it has had on young people and their employment prospects. The skills developed throughout Game Changers are setting young people up for their future careers, as evidenced by the employment and education outcomes of the program over the last two years. Previous Next

Exploring the rich history of Australian sports! < Back A Day of Sports and History at the MCG Jasper Menor 21 Jan 2025 Exploring the rich history of Australian sports! Huddle Holidays took a trip to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for an action-packed visit to the Australian Sports Museum! We kicked off the day with interactive experiences, testing our reaction skills, kicking footy’s, shooting hoops, and even challenging each other in foosball. The competitive spirit was alive, and the energy was contagious! After some friendly games, we explored the rich history of Australian sports, learning about legendary athletes and their historic achievements. Walking through the exhibits felt like stepping back in time, reliving some of Australia’s greatest sporting moments. To wrap up an amazing day, we headed to the park to soak up the sun and unwind, reflecting on all the fun and inspiration we had just experienced. A huge thank you to the Australian Sports Museum for an unforgettable adventure. If you haven't been to the museum yet, it is definitely worth the visit! 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

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. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/90d451_c5fb0ef8e13e48e3a5f2425c86c8057f/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 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