The historic inaugural season of the Box Hill Hawks women’s team is celebrated with a new display in the Hawks Museum. The team photo along with a guernsey issued for their first game against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on May 6, 2017, and signed by the players, is now the centrepiece of the exhibit.

A match ball signed by the captain, Melissa Kuys and head coach, Patrick Hill is also on display along with the timekeeper’s official Report Card and Football Record from that first game.

Charlotte Mahoney, a speedy wing and half-forward, played in that first game. ‘To run out on an AFL ground, wearing the brown & gold in front of that big crowd, was a dream come true.’ she said. Charlotte is Hawthorn’s Football Administration Coordinator. She followed her younger sister, Gaby, into the game. Charlotte played her junior football for the Kew Rovers until she reached 18, then turned to coaching.  With no stepping-stone available for older girls to continue playing for Kew, Mahoney’s coach suggested the Club form a senior women’s side, the Kew Bears. Charlotte and Gaby Mahoney are both talented players and were both recruited by the Box Hill Hawks.

The Box Hill women have improved steadily through this first season. They have set a firm footing for an exciting future for female players and their supporters at Box Hill. Hopefully, the Box Hill players will be able to aim even higher, with a possible Hawthorn Women’s team in the not-too distant future. The Hawks Museum is proud to display this foundation side. Perhaps it will help inspire the next generation of Hawk women.