It was the strong community focus of the North Melbourne Football Club that lured AFLW superstar, Emma Kearney to Arden St.

The best player in the women’s league, the AFLW, Kearney wanted to give back to the community as well as pursue her football career with the Roos.

“The culture of a club is really important,” Kearney told North Media.

“Knowing that North puts such a strong emphasis on community engagement and social inclusion played a huge role in why I chose to sign with their AFLW [team].”

Kearney works full time for North’s not for profit arm, The Huddle, as sport and recreation coordinator for the city of Melbourne, delivering various athletic programs and clinics around the city.

“I was already aware of The Huddle, and I was excited about getting the chance to work with them in a professional capacity,” Kearney continued.

Though new to this position, her relationship with The Huddle goes back a long way.

“When I worked as a PE [Physical Education] teacher at Mount Alexander College, many of my students would go to The Huddle to do study support or take advantage of the educational programs,” Kearney said.

For Kearney, the importance of the work she does is bigger than any one program.

“I think sport helps give people an identity,” she explained. 

“They get to have that sense of belonging that being on a team can provide.

“I think that’s really important, particularly for some migrants that have come from different countries. Sport allows them to create new friendships and connections.”