I am thrilled to inform you that the Board and I have appointed former club captain Richie Vandenberg as a director of the Hawthorn Football Club.
Richie's appointment is subject to ratification at the Club's 2016 Annual General Meeting in December.
This is an exciting appointment for our board of directors and the club. Richie brings a wealth of football knowledge and a strong business acumen background.
Whilst many of you may know Richie for his feats on the field, what is lesser known is his 13 years’ direct experience in the wine industry as a grower, and his 25-year association through his family enterprise. Richie is CEO of Limestone Coast Wines, a company which exports to 15 countries worldwide.
The Hawthorn Football Club is a very special organisation and we are proud to be known as the family club – to this end we are delighted to be able to strengthen our ties with Richie and his family and officially welcome him back into the fold.
Last month we had the pleasure of reconnecting with many important members from the 1976 and 1986 premierships.
I have long believed that it is how we respond to adversity that truly defines us as human beings and that also applies equally to organisations - nowhere was this more evident than at the Hawthorn Football Club in both 1976 and 1986.
Our 1976 success was driven by the grand final defeat in the previous year and also by the team’s desire to win for Peter Crimmins, who passed away three days after the game.
The 1986 premiership followed successive grand final defeats and was a wonderful response to those who thought our period of success was ending. The win marked the first of four flags in six years.
The Hawthorn Football Club is very much indebted to our heroes from 1976 and 1986 and I would like to say thank you on behalf of all Hawks fans.
Last month was also a historic one for the AFL, with the announcement of the eight successful applicants to field teams for the inaugural women’s league. Whilst Hawthorn is not one of those teams, we are firmly committed to the development of women's football and have endorsed a carefully planned and comprehensive approach for 2016 and beyond.
Our immediate priorities are to support the badly needed development of grass roots women’s footy in our heartland of the Eastern Football League, Katherine NT and in northern Tasmania. Our philosophy is simple – when the time is right we want to enter this competition as leaders.
Lastly, on behalf of our club, Jarryd Roughead and his family, we would like to thank you for your well wishes. We have been overwhelmed with the messages of support we have received in regards to Rough's wellbeing and your response has demonstrated that we truly are the family club.
Our club has already faced its fair share of adversity this season but there will undoubtedly be more challenges to come as we move into the business end of the season.
That said, we are thrilled to be 11-3 at this stage of the year and our eyes remain firmly fixed on making the top four at the end of the home and away season. We know this is the best place from which to launch a strong finals campaign.
I look forward to what the remainder of the season holds and hopefully another successful finals series.
Go Hawks!
Yours sincerely,
Richard Garvey
