Broken Hill pair join Hawks

Heath Caldwell and Dylan Stuart meet Chance Bateman and Lance Franklin at Waverley Park

Today's headlines

• Elimination Final team
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Hawks' last Freo win ignored
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• 'It would have helped to know'
  Thu, Sep 02, 10

Today's videos

• Rising star nominee Ben Stratton
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Wk1 Press Conference: Clarkson
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Tuck penalty
  Wed, Sep 01, 10

Hawthorn Football Club have completed the signing of talented Broken Hill youngsters Heath Caldwell and Dylan Stuart under the AFL Scholarship Scheme.

As part of the scheme, both Caldwell and Stuart will receive a $10,000 scholarship fund committed to the boys’ education and football development, and will receive specialised coaching by the Club.

Hawks General Manager of Personnel and Strategy, Chris Pelchen, describes Caldwell as, “a skilled, extremely hard-at-it, left-footed, inside midfielder, in the mould of a Sam Mitchell or Josh Carr”.

“Dylan Stuart, is an opportunistic forward in the mould of a Che Cockatoo-Collins and possesses good leg speed and exquisite foot skills,” said Pelchen.

Players will receive fitness programs designed by Hawthorn Development Coach, Geoff Morris, while working with a personal trainer. Their match footage will be reviewed regularly by the Club as they continue to develop their skills.

Both are playing local football, Caldwell with South Broken Hill, and Stuart with Central Broken Hill. This continues the Broken Hill connection with Hawthorn after the signing of Thomas Kickett from West Broken Hill last year.

Caldwell and Stuart join Kickett, Trent Stubbs, Michael Johnston, and Will Sierakowski as recipients of the AFL Scholarship with Hawthorn Football Club.

The AFL scholarship program is aimed at teenagers aged between 15–17 years. Under scholarship guidelines, AFL Clubs can sign up to eight teenagers in 2008 from Greater Sydney and southern NSW in each year. Scholarships can range from 1-3 years duration with recipients receiving financial assistance towards their football and education.

Caldwell and Stuart will spend regular periods training with the Hawks in Melbourne, while under current AFL rules they will be eligible for the 2011 AFL National Draft. At this time Hawthorn will have the option of priority listing them as rookies or to their primary player list.

Rnd10 Report: NSW Scholarships

Heath Caldwell signs his contract with the Hawks

Dylan Stuart puts pen to paper

Chris Pelchen and Ian Robson welcome the boys to the Club.