North’s World Vision On CSR

AFL club North Melbourne has partnered with international aid organisation World Vision Australia in a move it says will strengthen the football team’s position as the first major Australian sporting club to implement a genuine CSR program.

“A strong CSR program is fundamental to having greater community engagement and this partnership will extend our Corporate Social Responsibility to a national and even international level,” North Melbourne’s chief executive Eugene Arocca said.

“Our club motto is ‘Victory demands Care’, and we believe we can help drive everyday community and social issues. We are encouraged to have World Vision Australia supporting us and will be using the experience and wisdom of Tim Costello and his organisation to ensure we continue to raise the bar on how sporting clubs interact with society on community issues.”

World Vision Australia’s logo will be added to the club’s backdrop. World Vision's chief executive Tim Costello says the partnership will provide exposure for World Vision and give the football club a unique window on the world.

“Players will be able to connect with World Vision and its work and it will allow football supporters a chance to talk to us about the work we do,” Costello said. 

The exposure via the North Melbourne logo in commercial terms is said to be worth about $200,000.

Costello says this is a great commitment by the club which could easily sell that space to a commercial entity.

“It’s clear that North is serious about community and I’m delighted that the club has chosen World Vision to share in its dream for a more caring community. This unique partnership is an exciting opportunity for World Vision Australia,” Costello said.

“As a passionate football supporter, I understand the important role Aussie Rules plays in Australian culture and in diverse sections of the community. This partnership allows World Vision an opportunity to raise the profile of our work as well as engage with new voices to promote a just and equitable world.”

North’s Eugene Arocca added: “We feel we are in a unique position to enhance our community presence by being the first major Australian sporting club to implement a genuine CSR program.”

“We were the first club to create a groundbreaking community classroom ‘The Huddle’ and when people talk about North Melbourne, they talk about a club that cares not only for its own, but for the wider community.”

The Huddle provides education and community programs to children and adult migrants in the local area,Tasmania, Ballarat and Wyndham.

World Vision is one of Australia’s largest charitable groups and helps more than 20 million people every year in partnership with Australians who sponsor almost 400,000 children in developing countries.

World Vision provides relief in emergency situations and works on long-term community development projects in Australia and overseas.

North Melbourne says it is in the final stages of establishing The Shinboner Foundation to assist in driving its CSR program.