2021 has been an historic year for North Melbourne, not just on the field for both our men’s and women’s programs, but off it as well.

For our AFL side, the fielding of 11 new Shinboners, the selection of the club’s first ever No.1 draft pick, and continuing to lay solid foundations for an exciting future were among the year's hallmarks.

For the AFLW team, another finals campaign is cause for excitement as the side continues its quest for premiership glory led by champion skipper Emma Kearney.

Off the field, the club has strengthened its foundations while securing its future. Alongside eradicating the club's debt, the Kangaroos returned to tradition thanks to a new apparel partnership with Puma, and supported the local community through the Covid-19 pandemic, all with the backing of a record number of members.

Membership record broken

While the team struggled on-field in 2022, Kangaroos fans demonstrated their passion and loyalty by throwing their support behind the club in record numbers. 

The club's 2021 end-of-season total of 46,357 members is a new membership record, while new records have already been set ahead of the 2022 seasons for the men's and women's programs. The Kangaroos thank every one of the club's members, who have helped break the previous record set in 2016, a year after the club made consecutive preliminary finals. 

A poster was released in the Herald Sun newspaper to celebrate the membership milestone, and it’s not too late to get your hands on one. Download your membership poster here.

Kangaroos go debt-free

The club has eradicated its debt for the first time in 34 years after recording a 10th consecutive profit in 2021. 

The historic achievement secures the Kangaroos' future, ensuring the club is well-placed to not only survive in its North Melbourne home, but thrive.

CEO Ben Amarfio paid tribute to the fiercely supportive members, Match Committee and Shinboner coterie members, patrons, benefactors and our loyal sponsors, in particular long-serving key partners Mazda and Spirit of Tasmania, who have all made significant contributions in supporting the club. 

The Kangaroos thank all the contributors to the club's 'Box on' debt reduction campaign. Find your name here!

The Huddle helps vaccinate

As Melbourne barrelled towards the 70 and 80 per cent vaccination targets required to emerge from lockdown, the club's community arm, The Huddle, hosted vaccination hubs to help drive those numbers up in the local area.

The Huddle helps strengthen the connection between the Kangaroos and its home surrounding Arden Street, but the work it does in the community helps those who share the streets with our club.

Kangaroos x PUMA 

The club’s new apparel partnership saw a return to tradition heading into 2022, with the solid blue stripes on a white base returning to the club’s on field jumpers.

PUMA have committed to being there from the beginning as the club looks to launch itself back up the ladder in 2022 and beyond.