Hawthorn has submitted its bid for an AFLW licence, which would see the club join the competition in Season Seven, commencing at the end 2022.
The application emphasises the club’s strong foundation for an entry into the league given the club’s large membership base, strong social footprint and considerable community presence across its heartland areas.
Hawthorn has cultivated a prosperous women’s football program over the past five years, highlighted by the club’s VFLW premiership success in 2018 and eight players being drafted by other AFLW teams.
Hawthorn GM - Operations and Major Projects Josh Vanderloo said it was an exciting day for the club as it continues its journey towards the AFLW.
“Our vision is to be a successful, sustainable and socially inclusive football club that is equally focused on both our men’s and women’s programs,” Vanderloo said.
“Despite previous attempts to join the competition being unsuccessful, our commitment to women’s football has not wavered – in fact, it has only grown.
“An entry into the AFLW would make our Hawthorn family whole.”
Hawthorn’s future move into a world-class facility in the Kennedy Community Centre also featured as a key point of the club’s submission, with the Centre being purpose-built in order to create an elite environment for the club’s men’s and women’s programs.
Vanderloo added that another strength of the club’s position was the personnel that makes up its current women’s program.
"There's a lot of people already working on our women’s program who are really passionate about women's football who have had great experience with it through that time.
"We've put things in place like Bec Goddard as our VFLW coach and an all-female coaching panel, and we've encouraged opportunities for the best, most talented girls across the Eastern Ranges, Gippsland and then (NAB AFLW Academy member) Ashanti Bush coming from Katherine."
"We've got partnerships with the Eastern Ranges and Gippsland Power as well as the Eastern Footy League.
“So, you're basically stitching a pathway from Auskick, the EFL and other leagues through Gippsland, all the way through NAB League and VFLW. Clearly, the finishing point there is an AFLW team.
“Hawthorn is committed to continuing to build a women’s football program that is sustainable and successful for the long-term. Our submission outlines the contribution the club has made to furthering women’s football thus far. We are prepared and ready to raise the bar once we enter the AFLW competition.”
The AFL is expected to inform clubs of its decision around August 4-5 following a Commission meeting.
So, Hawthorn’s AFLW journey is now ready and waiting.
Over to you, AFL.
