Hawthorn’s VFLW Senior Coach Patrick Hill will depart the club having accepted an assistant coach role with St Kilda’s AFLW side.
The VFLW premiership winning coach will coach the Saints VFLW side, alongside his AFLW duties.
The Hawks offered Hill a continuation of his role as VFLW senior coach for the 2020 Season, but the opportunity provided by St Kilda offered a significant development opportunity that was too good to refuse.
Hill joined the Box Hill Hawks in 2011 as an assistant coach. In 2015 Hill moved to Frankston Football Club where he remained for two seasons, before signing on as the inaugural coach of the Box Hill Hawks’ women’s team in 2017.
He continued as coach when the team rebranded under the Hawthorn banner and led the girls to a historic premiership victory in 2018.
In farewelling Hill, Football Operations & Strategy Manager Rob McCartney thanked him for his contribution to the club.
“This is a fantastic next step for Paddy. He is a passionate advocate of women’s football and will be a great asset to St Kilda’s program,” said McCartney.
“Paddy has built a solid reputation throughout his coaching career. This new role offers him the opportunity to experience an AFLW environment and continue his professional development.
“While we are disappointed to see Paddy depart, he does so with our full support and well wishes.”
Hawthorn will begin its search for a new VFLW coach immediately.
