Hawthorn has celebrated the achievements of its AFL Blind team, Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) team, Community Wheelchair Football League (CWFL) team and staff members of The Inclusion Project at its Inclusion Awards at the MCG on Tuesday night.
Hawks AFL Blind Captain Ned Brewer Maiga added to his trophy cabinet by being awarded the winner of the team’s 2024 best and fairest award.
This is an astonishing sixth club best and fairest win for Brewer Maiga, highlighting just how highly regarded he is among the four walls, with his consistency, leadership and all-round performances standout factors in his win.
Hayden Auber took out the VWFL best and fairest award after a stellar season where he showed excellent sportsmanship, played hard with fairness and supported the entire team.
Auber also won the 2024 Gold Standard Award due to showcasing outstanding leadership, supporting his teammates and finding ways for everyone to improve throughout the season.
After being deemed best-on-ground in Hawthorn’s AFL Blind premiership and living out the club’s values throughout the year, Steve Obeid took home the AFL Blind Gold Standard Award.
Gerard McCarthy was crowned the CWFL best and fairest after standing out as a role model for all players and playing a pivotal role in shaping the team throughout the season.
The leading goal scorers across the three leagues were Yassin Hill (VWFL), David Ralph (CWFL) and Cebby Johnson (AFL Blind).
Meanwhile, the Best First Year Players were Andi Kauer (VWFL) and Tyreece Bevan (AFL Blind).
Nik Pavlou led the way for The Inclusion Project staff members, recognised for notching up his 50-shift milestone for the organisation and also winning the 2024 Humble Award.
John Cima was also recognised for his 50 shifts for The Inclusion Project while Catherine Dimou-Teagle (Teamwork Award) and Lucy Hogan (Respect Award) rounded out the organisation’s values awards.
The Inclusion Project continues to deliver the most inclusive match-day support across the country which includes employing staff with lived experience of disability in customer service roles at events, training existing staff in disability awareness and providing Sensory Friendly Spaces facilitated by Occupational Therapists.
Hawthorn’s AFL Blind team claimed the 2024 premiership while the VWFL and CWFL teams had a year of development, with the hope of rising back up the ladder in 2025.
HAWTHORN INCLUSION AWARD WINNERS
THE INCLUSION PROJECT
Service Awards
John Cima - 50 games
Nik Pavlou - 50 games
Values Awards
Nik Pavlou - Humble Award
Catherine Dimou-Teagle - Teamwork Award
Lucy Hogan - Humble Award
AFL WHEELCHAIR TEAMS
Leading Goal Scorers
Yassin Hill - VWFL
David Ralph - CWFL
Best First Year Player
Andi Kauer - VWFL
Gold Standard Award
Hayden Auber - VWFL
Best and Fairest
Hayden Auber - VWFL
Gerard McCarthy - CWFL
AFL BLIND TEAM
Leading Goal Scorer
Cebby Johnson
Best First Year Player
Tyreece Bevan
Gold Standard Award
Steve Obeid
Best and Fairest
Ned Brewer Maiga
