Next Generation Academy

Our Next Generation Academy (NGA) kicked off in August, with a revamped program designed to provide elite talent development for young Victorian and Tasmanian footballers.

The NGA was modified to ensure cohesion with both state’s talent pathway programs and grass roots football.

In addition, the NGA maintains its commitment to providing a well-rounded off-field development program including cultural diversity, leadership, careers and education, and health and wellbeing education

Three draft-eligible prospects joined the North Melbourne team during the Round 19 win over West Coast at Blundstone Stadium. Matt McGuinness, Tarryn Thomas and Rhyan Mansell were greeted warmly by coach Brad Scott and the players in the rooms pre-game. All three have spent time with North over the course of the season as they prepare for the upcoming draft in November.

Welcome to AFL

More than 400 people had their first taste of AFL through our Welcome to AFL sessions which introduce people from traditionally non-AFL backgrounds to the sport.

Held at Arden St, the day starts with participants learning basic skills and the rules and history of the game, before they make their way to Etihad Stadium to cheer on the Roos. 

Huddle bay ticketing

North Melbourne’s not-for-profit community arm, The Huddle, hosts six “Huddle Bay” games each season and invites thousands of people along free of charge.

Situated on Level 1 and next to the North cheer squad, Huddle Bay participants get the full game experience and immerse themselves in all the fun and excitement while feeling safe, welcome and included. 

Over the course of the season, The Huddle program provided more than 3,000 people from community groups across Victoria and Tasmania access to home games.

GOAL! goes global

The Huddle continues to score big after launching its online program of teaching resources, GOAL!.

GOAL! has been invited to join the Sport and Stem Alliance; an international coalition of like-minded, leading global organisations driving innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through sports.

The alliance positions GOAL! with other leading organisations such as the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN, the NBA and Chelsea Football Club, and opens up opportunities for shared learning and collaboration.

Empowering African-Australian communities

The Victorian State Government has released the African-Australian Communities Action Plan; a 10-year framework with actions developed by Victorians with African heritage to build inclusive communities, improve outcomes and create sustainable opportunities for African-Australian communities.

The Huddle has been recognised by the Victorian State Government as a key agency to support and empower African-Australian young people with a strategic role to play in supporting the Action Plan across the areas of:

- Employment

- Education and Training

- Health and wellbeing

- Inclusion and empowerment

- Leadership, cohesion and connection

Tasmanian community

Zoom sessions

Three lucky primary schools – Montello, Westerway and Summerdale – which signed up to North’s Next Generation in Schools program, won the opportunity to participate in a video conference call with some of the club’s biggest stars. Students were able to ask the players questions and discuss a variety of topics including leadership, goal setting, and healthy eating. Players included Jack Ziebell, Shaun Higgins, Robbie Tarrant, Jamie Macmillan, Shaun Atley, Sam Wright and Ed Vickers-Willis.

Migrant resource centre 

North Melbourne, AFL Tasmania and the Migrant Resource Centre (Tasmania), partnered to provide new members of the community an opportunity to attend all three North home games at Blundstone Arena. North staff also ran after-hours skills and drills sessions across the season, providing new Australians the opportunity to learn the basics of the game.

More than 600 tickets were distributed in Rounds 4, 9 and 19.

Montana’s special day

For 12-year-old Montana, watching her beloved Roos beat West Coast at Blundstone Arena was a day she'll cherish forever.

Undergoing a lung transplant less than 12 months ago, Montana spent the following 121 days in hospital on oxygen and the next 151 days living in Melbourne motels with her mum.  Hailing from a family of six, many can only imagine the impact it had on the young family.
 
Watching from the Premiership Club room and provided change room access, Montana’s excitement was high, but things went up a notch when she was invited to help form a guard of honour when the players ran out.

Post-game along with her family, Montana watched the players sing the song and then her idol Ben Brown, introduced himself and signed and autograph and posed for a photo.

Watch the video here