It was an exciting weekend for the Big River Hawks from Katherine, as a group of aspiring footballers headed south to meet with Hawthorn players, tour the club’s facilities and watch both the men’s and women’s teams in action.
Among the 10 young players to visit Waverley over the weekend was Tara Dawson, a member of the Big River Hawks U18 girls’ side, who has her own personal connection to the Hawthorn Football Club.
“Shaun Burgoyne is actually my cousin on my Dad’s side,” Dawson told hawthornfc.com.au.
“Friday was the first time I’ve ever met him.
“I’ve always met Peter (Burgoyne) but never Shaun.”
“It kind of shocks me to think that someone so inspiring to other people and such a role model to lots of young footballers is actually my cousin.”
Despite having family ties with the veteran star, there is another Hawthorn player from whom Dawson likes to draw inspiration.
“My favourite player is actually Jarman Impey,” she admits.
“He’s just so deadly all over the field. He’s got the skills to play anywhere.”
The Big River Hawks is an under-18 football club, founded in 2010. It was initially established to allow the young men of the Katherine region and surrounding communities an opportunity to play in the Darwin-based NTFL. The club expanded to host an all-female team for the first time in 2016.
Being a part of the Big River Hawks is a privilege to teenagers within the region, with each member required to attend school, complete further training or have a position in the workforce to earn their spot in the team.
While the establishment of the AFLW competition has given young female footballers like Tara Dawson something to strive towards, the young Hawk is not too concerned about reaching the highest level – rather, just having the opportunity to continually play the sport that she loves.
“If I can make it that far, that would be amazing,” Dawson says.
“But at the moment, I just play for fun because I love footy.”
All of Hawthorn's Indigenous Programs are made possible by the wonderful support of the Epic Good Foundation.
