Although North Melbourne isn’t participating in finals football this year, Arden Street will still be abuzz with finals-like activity deep in September.

The club will host a unique event next Thursday with athletes from all walks of life experiencing Aussie Rules - a game they have all come to love.

Graduates of North Melbourne’s Indigenous and Multicultural Football Academies from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, New Zealand, Lebanon and Victoria’s Aboriginal communities will put their skills to the test in front of hundreds of friends, families and community leaders.

Established under the auspices of North Melbourne’s innovative community programs, the football academies have given migrant, Indigenous and young female footballers the chance to learn, play and develop their skills in an elite environment.

As well as teaching football, the academies have also focused on providing leadership, teamwork, positive education, health and wellbeing. Workshops for parents have complemented the program (AFL Vic AusKick Orientation Course, Health & Nutrition, AFP “Think You Know”- internet safety & cyber bullying) with Drew Petrie and Daniel Wells providing hands-on support.

The programs have been enthusiastically supported by footballers and coaches at North Melbourne, as well as mentors and elders from other organizations, in particular MAYSAR and AFL Victoria.

Community members, supporters and football followers are invited to cheer on the teams for this very special community event. North Melbourne coach Brad Scott will also be on hand to present trophies to the winning team.

Details: NMFC Multicultural Vs Indigenous Academy match
Where: Arden Street Oval, North Melbourne
When: Thursday 23rd September - 3.00pm

Members of the NMFC Indigenous Academy