The Kids Huddle at GMHBA Stadium has been a popular activity with both local students and visiting teams. Whether it’s an AFL match, a Big Bash clash or an A League hit out – the huddle is a wall of inspirational messages welcoming the visiting team to the stadium.

This fun activity harnesses our city’s welcoming, sport-loving spirit through the artwork and messages from school students or participants in local disability programs.

We at the Trust were excited to welcome AFL football back to the stadium however, COVID-19 had posed a series of challenges engaging schools to participate in the Kids Huddle. We couldn’t visit schools to chat with teachers and exchange craft materials. Students were learning remotely.

That’s when the Virtual Kids Huddle was created. Rather than displaying students’ artwork on the welcome board, we received their messages virtually. The students provide a ‘selfie’ alongside their messages of welcome and the finished product has been absolutely fantastic!

If the reactions of the visiting teams to date (Carlton and Hawthorn) have been anything to go by – this virtual huddle might be here to stay.