North Melbourne Football Club Becomes a Certified B Corporation

The North Melbourne Football Club has officially achieved B Corp Certification, becoming Australia’s first sporting organisation to join the global community of purpose-driven companies using business as a force for good.

The certification, announced at Assembly 2025—the regional B Corp gathering in Glenworth Valley, NSW—marks a historic milestone for both the club and Australian sport.

Club president, Dr Sonja Hood AM, said the certification reflects North Melbourne’s pioneering culture and long-term commitment to community and ethical leadership.

“North Melbourne has always been about breaking new ground—whether it’s pioneering Friday night footy, being the first to exit pokies, or playing on Good Friday to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.” 

“Our purpose is to be champions on and off the field. This certification recognises our commitment to community, strong employment policies, and ethical operations in a highly regulated industry.”

It’s also a tool that will help drive new commercial opportunities with fellow B Corps globally,” Dr Hood said.

Praising the achievement as a defining moment for the sporting landscape, B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand CEO, Andrew Davies, added: “North Melbourne’s certification shows what’s possible when purpose and performance align.”

“They’ve set a powerful example that sport can be a genuine force for good,” Davies said. 

North Melbourne now stands among more than 750 certified B Corporations across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, including its corporate partner Intrepid Travel, as well as major names like Unilever, R.M.Williams, Bank Australia, and KMD Brands (Rip Curl, Oboz, Kathmandu).

B Corps are independently verified by B Lab for meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

North Melbourne’s journey toward certification was supported by Intrepid Travel, which joined the club as a shorts sponsor earlier this year.

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