As part of the AFL's Multicultural Round, The Huddle profiles volunteer and multicultural ambassador, Victor Nguyen. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself: 
I am a first generation Australian, born to parents of Vietnamese origin, so for me the ideals of multiculturalism are deeply ingrained with experiences of growing up in Australian society.

Something that had an equally profound impact on my growth is having three brothers, with each of us being very competitive in sports and education.

Growing up in North Melbourne in a pocket of housing where socioeconomic disadvantage was most prevalent, it was sport that brought our community together - whether it be basketball, soccer or footy.  

From my memory the North Melbourne Football Club has always had a community presence, growing up surrounded by the jumpers, supporters and players, making it hard to not become a Roos supporter.

I work as a Procurement Specialist for Boral, and have gained many experiences through this role and other work. While study and volunteerism have allowed me to broaden my horizons and contribute to pursuits that may benefit others in the community.

How did you become involved as an NMFC multicultural ambassador and Huddle Volunteer?
When I heard about the opportunity to combine two of my passions, sport and contributing to my local community, it was an easy decision to make. I had heard about the recruitment of new volunteer tutors and Multicultural Ambassadors at the Huddle through a friend and was immediately drawn to the opportunity.

Without knowing what the role actually entailed, thinking that I would be giving lessons in the sport of AFL, it was actually a pleasant surprise to immerse myself within the books with young motivated individuals who strive to achieve their academic goals. Also being involved in the range of sport and football programs at The Huddle meant I could share my experience growing up playing Aussie Rules, with those who have never tried it before. 

What are some of the responsibilities of your role?
As a volunteer tutor, I attend the Huddle on a weekly basis to assist students between the ages of 15 and 25 in their studies and sometimes just to be a person to bounce ideas off; regarding study, work and life outside of school.

For a volunteer tutor, I've found that it is important to realise that all the students are there on their own accord, doing extracurricular studies to catch-up, stay on top of, or get ahead. The determination of the students to get the most from the tutors at The Huddle demonstrate their keen thirst for knowledge, and The Huddle provides a great environment in which the students are able to leverage the experiences of the tutors whether academically, professionally or in their life experiences. 

What do you enjoy about being involved at The Huddle?
It is incredibly rewarding to know that my experiences may contribute to the academic outcomes of the students who come to The Huddle. I am by no means an expert, but my studies in International Business and work as a Procurement Specialist mean that I can share some learning in English, Legal Studies, Business Management, Politics, History and Economics.

The students at the Huddle come week in, week out, and invariably with this rate of attendance they make progress on their assignments, assessments or getting their resume together to apply for work. It is really encouraging to see a group of individuals who develop their own goals, share ideas and challenge the socioeconomic constraints that they face in their lives. This develops their confidence, empowerment and sense of ownership within their local community.

I’ve enjoyed the opportunity of being involved in AFL programs in my role as multicultural ambassador. I’ve helped out with the Welcome to AFL Sessions that help newly arrived communities understand the rules, history and skills and AFL, along with the role it plays in our society, particularly in Melbourne!

I’m also forming part of the guard of honour this weekend, and helping with North Melbourne's Multicultural Auskick half-time match.

I'm really looking forward to stepping foot onto the hallowed MCG turf for the first time, as part of Multicultural Round!

Why are the AFL and North Melbourne’s multicultural programs so important?
The multicultural programs at the AFL and North Melbourne nurture a spirit of social cohesion within our community.

By binding people together through the common interest of AFL and personal development, the programs run by The Huddle provide many with an opportunity to contribute towards trust and cooperation in our communities. 

North Melbourne is ideally situated in a vastly multicultural corridor of inner city Melbourne, with a broad demographic spread.

This concentration of diversity means that the community programs, facilities and presence, promote a strong sense of belonging for youth in the area.