Hawthorn CEO Ash Klein is predicting an “action-packed” spectacle in front of a massive crowd at UTAS Stadium as the Hawks host Adelaide in the venue’s first game under Friday night lights.
Speaking to SEN Tasmania, Klein spoke about the club’s 25-year-strong connection with Launceston, highlighting both the on-field and community impact over the years.
We summarised the key points from his interview below.
LISTEN TO ASH KLEIN ON SEN TASSIE
On Friday night’s game
“It's a cracking game. You couldn't ask for a better match-up. The Crows are going unbelievably well. I think they've chalked up nine wins already, we've chalked up eight. With a packed out crowd of 15,000+, it's going to be a great night and, you know, being all around the country too, on Fox and Channel 7, it's going to be a huge night.”
On the club’s strong partnership with Launceston
“We're coming up to 25 years in Tassie, in Launceston in particular. We've had the high of highs on both sides of it. I think our winning record is nearing 80 per cent now down here but… it's not just that. We don't just fly in and fly out. We've got that connection with the community. There's almost 10,000 members down here. We've built something, not over just a short amount of time, but a long period of time. We love our stay down here. We come down, we go to the markets, we go to the restaurants. We make sure we have our big open training session the night before the game. It's a great connection with the community and what we do in the schools as well, we're rapt with it. We've got the staff down here that do an amazing job, David Cox and Jez Jackson, it's great.”
On Hawthorn’s long-term plans in Tasmania
“Our discussions are always continuing on and we'll probably pick them up again. But obviously, with the landscape at the moment, we'll put that on ice and let everything settle. But our plan is to stay long-term and co-exist with the Devils. We think that we've established ourselves for 25 years here in Launceston. We think it's a great opportunity to have some rivalry down here when the Devis arrive”
On UTAS Stadium’s first Friday night match
“It's a great stadium. Everything's packed out with our corporate offerings. Whether they're suites or they’re corporate rooms, they've been sold out for a couple of weeks now. I think there's a few tickets left, but not many. I saw a few general admission and a couple of reserved seats still on sale, but really not many at all. It's going to be action-packed night under lights and it's a great showcase for not only what we do here and in the community, but also for the members in the state to see a Friday night game here at UTAS Stadium.”
On the Kennedy Community Centre’s progress
“It's going really well. It's hugely exciting. We’ve probably ticked past about that 85 per cent mark (of completion). Everything's on track to be in there by the end of the year and it's going to be a bit of a game-changer for our club. But what we've always said, it's always open to the members and supporters and the family. Whether you’re interstate and you're struggling to see a Hawks game, come out and see the venue and training. We can't wait to get in there. It's going to be a world-class facility, that's for sure.”
