Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves has penned the following letter to members...
Dear members,
As outlined in my previous letter, we will continue to provide regular communication to all our members.
Not only to keep you updated on any developments, but also to ensure we all maintain a strong sense of connection and community to help us all navigate these trying times.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is developing rapidly, and here at Hawthorn Football Club, we feel a deep responsibility to always look after the best interests of our people.
Yes - we are a football club, but first and foremost - we are a family.
And a family mentality is not one of I, it is one of we.
Yes, the impact of COVID-19 will have a dramatic effect on our bottom line, and we are currently working through the ramifications of that.
Yes, in the interim, it will stop us sitting together in the stands to cheer on our team.
But it will not stop us from working together for something far greater than success or wealth - the health and wellbeing of our people and the community at large.
Read: Round 1 to be played without fans
What lies ahead is not something any of us have experienced before, but we will navigate it with the best interests of the Hawthorn family and the broader community at heart.
It is only human to feel heavy with the weight of the relentless news stories and talk of COVID-19 at the moment. But rest assured, we are still here; ready to talk footy and share content and stories that will hopefully bring a bit more joy, light and laughter into the world at a time when we most need it.
Our Hawthorn digital channels will be providing more opportunities than ever for you to connect with our club. While you can’t be there to ride the bumps on game day at present, we will ensure that you remain as connected as ever to the Hawthorn Football Club.
At the end of last week, when things were weighing quite heavily on me, I opened Hawthorn’s Instagram page to see this video of Jarman Impey. It brightened my day, and reiterated the power we have to provide positivity and hope during difficult times.
There’s no denying that we’ve experienced a tumultuous start to the decade, but seeing how everyone rallied together in the wake of devastating bushfires gives us confidence that we can do so again.
We will continue to seek out ways to engage and support our community, and, as soon as the authorities deem it safe, we will once again open the doors and wrap our arms around our brown and gold family.
No doubt you’ll hear from us soon. In the interim, please continue to check in with our channels, and provide feedback to us via social media.
Justin Reeves
CEO
