Hawthorn Football Club will welcome Rob McCartney back to the fold with the former Head of Development Academy, re-joining the club in the role of Head of Special Projects – Football. 

McCartney departed the Hawks at the end of the 2016 season to return to Shepparton, where he took up the role as principal of Guthrie Street Primary School, a position he had previously held for eight years before joining the Hawks. 

As Head of Special Projects – Football, McCartney will oversee a range of major projects in the areas of football operations, including VFL Operations, VFLW, Next Generation Academy, relevant club indigenous programs, and leading the football department’s input on future projects including the club’s proposed new training and administration facility at Dingley.

McCartney will also play a vital role in the club’s plans to field an AFLW side. Should the club’s application for an AFLW licence in 2019 be successful, McCartney will be instrumental in establishing the club’s inaugural AFLW side and will lead the recruitment process for the club’s key AFLW staff, including a head of AFLW and senior coach. 

GM – Football Operations Jason Burt said the club was thrilled to welcome McCartney back to the club.

“Rob has an excellent understanding of not only the game of AFL, but of our football club and we are thrilled to have him back onboard as Head of Football Special Projects,” he said.

“He has an impressive background in education, which is complemented by a significant coaching career across country Victoria, and with his prior experience at Hawthorn we are really excited about what he brings to our football club.”

McCartney has over twenty years’ experience as a teacher throughout regional Victoria and was a Victoria Country representative during his playing days.

Having also filled the role of senior coach across several country leagues, including the Goulburn Valley and Central Murray Leagues, McCartney has a broad understanding of the game.

McCartney will begin his new role in September following the completion of the school term.