It was the biggest talking point in football; North’s new partnership with World Vision Australia. While it was criticised by some, an overwhelming majority of support from Kangaroos' fans and other clubs poured in at Aegis Park.

Here is some of the correspondence we received via email and on social media sites.

Emails
From Pat O’Neill
What an inspired move to enter an arrangement with World Vision. North and its members can be very proud of its support for World Vision and for not earning money from poker machines....more power to you.

Once again North are the pioneers - developing partnerships with civic and social minded organisations is the way for AFL clubs that want to prosper. Let’s hope North prospers from this lead you are showing.

From Ross Morley
I've kept a close eye on the Kangaroos/World Vision story this week and I just wanted to take a moment to say how wonderful your decision is.

People will (and have) try to hijack the agenda and make it about them, or something else entirely, but I can tell you that there is a large section of the community who greatly admire what you have done. I have been wondering if another club would follow the 'Barcelona model' of corporate responsibility, and I'm so glad that you have had the guts to follow through on what is right.

I don't follow the Roos, but for the first time in my (black & white) life, I now have a second team.

From Graeme Buntrock
Would like to commend you strongly for the sponsorship you have chosen with World Vision.

Putting space between you and the alcohol and betting lobby is a great example of sport as it should be.

Stick with it and don’t be afraid to speak up if confronted. Let’s face it beer and betting have no place in sport.

From Danny Curran

As a lifetime supporter of NMFC, a former official and a current member I would like to offer my total support to the Club for the philosophy it is embracing, not specifically with World Vision although that makes sense, but more importantly in relation to its role in the community at large.

Whether pokies or gambling or other social expenditures are right or wrong is not at issue; a point of difference is and North Melbourne has the opportunity to garner huge support from the general community and grow its fan base exponentially this way.

Congratulations to the Club on taking this visionary approach.

From Matt Carrazzo
I am an avid Carlton supporter, however I have decided that I am going to purchase a full club membership for the Roos for 2012.

I am doing so because of the decision by your club to turn its back on the gambling industry, and to form partnerships with responsible organisations and companies.

From Noel Murray
Well done to all at North for their stand in not supporting the dependence on gambling income.

It is great to see some real leadership in this important area.

Well done to James Brayshaw and all those that support this initiative.

Let’s hope all enlightened people get behind this move

Ashley Robb (Bulldogs’ supporter)
I just wanted to send massive congratulations to North and its Board for taking a tough stance on gambling revenue. This is a very gutsy move and one I fully support.

I wish you every best wish for the coming year and beyond. Your stance and commitment to your values has restored my faith in football clubs. I might even buy a North membership this year.

Phil Mincher
Attn: James Brayshaw

I have been a NM supporter, and on and off member, since I was 10 years old.

I merely wanted to write a quick email to tell you how truly proud I am of you and the board for making the bold step to publicly denounce gambling as a source of revenue and embrace a very worthwhile charity as a major sponsor.
What all of the naysayers are forgetting, apart from the fact that it is the morally right decision, is that it is a very smart decision as well. Standing above the other clubs as a model of social responsibility will attract more positive publicity for the club; bringing in more members and more sponsors!

Facebook
Richard Ewart
More and more North Melbourne are the People's Club. The link up with World Vision shows that North have exactly that, vision. Those people asking "what's it worth" are missing the point, but the respect that North will earn from this should pay financial dividends in the long run. Investors like integrity.

Peppi Bueti
Well done Eugene. We can't afford to be lemmings and follow what other clubs do. It's not the North Melbourne way; we innovate because we have to (think night footy, grand final breakfast etc.). This is an excellent initiative which will open the club up to many more likeminded partners, supporters and potential sponsors.

Steve Pyle
Reminiscent of Barcelona's arrangement with UNICEF for many years. A fantastic and visionary arrangement. To step away from the gambling fixation that seems to dominate the east coast is commendable - our sporting clubs get along fine in the west without the pokies!

Andrew Cochrane
The Kangaroos have set a high bar here and have shown themselves to be LEADERS in the sporting fabric of Australia (and may I add, although I'm a member I'm actually an Eagles fan, my wife is the Kangas fan in the family).

World Vision does fantastic work across the world and I'd much rather a sporting club be associated with an organisation that builds communities rather than those organisations that destroy communities. Congratulations to the Kangas and all those involved in this terrific initiative.

Twitter
@thefullpretzel
A visionary club not to cave to pressure of being traditional. Will create worldwide PR and goodwill.

@CLdeFootscray

Great initiative, showing the way for the AFL. Don't harm your supporters with gambling|

@mikewardrop
So proud of the boys! Leading the way in sustainable, honourable partnerships!

@emmsyish
#IAMCARLTON, but kudos to @NorthKangaroos for their partnership with World Vision.