The Arden Street complex is not only home to the NMRC gymnasium and stadium – it's also home to the North Melbourne Football Club. You may have noticed players in the NMRC stadium training for their next big game!
Established in 1869, the North Melbourne Football Club joined the Victorian Football League, now known as the Australian Football League, in 1925. Since then, the Kangaroos have won four VFL/AFL premierships. The team’s produced five Brownlow Medallists – individuals recognised as the best players in the League – and four Coleman Medallists, or leading goal kickers for the season.
Today, players work and train in a high-tech learning environment, developing their skills in sports science and technology, and implementing systems and processes used by many of the world’s leading sporting organisations.
Since its earliest beginnings, the North Melbourne Football Club has become the heartbeat of the local area. The club has been instrumental in the local community, and runs the Learning and Life Centre (LLC), which provides relevant, professionally designed programs for children and adults from all walks of life. These programs meet the Centre's primary aims and objectives of promoting education, health and sport as a means to enhance community spirit and social cohesion.
The LLC's partnerships with organisations such as Universities, the Song Room, the City of Melbourne and local community services will see the centre evolve into a rich and varied resource for the community – a place that builds community capacity and increases opportunities for young people in the area.
The partnership between the LLC and NMRC is more than just having school groups use the basketball court. NMRC has instigated important initiatives to improve the livelihoods of and opportunities for centre users. These include the donation of a laptop and three 12-month gymnasium memberships. NRMC also sponsor three LLC youths per year to undertake a lifeguard course and training to further their job opportunities.
For more information about the club and the Learning and Life Centre, visit kangaroos.com.au.